New Dell machine

KTRIC

Just ordered this baby from Dell this morning. I haven't bought an up to date machine myself in a while and I was just wondering what people thought. I haven't decided if I want to use the Media Center ability in Vista Premium or just install my own copy of Media Center 2005. Anyone any idea which is best ?

Dimension E521 AMD X2 Processor 3600(1.9GHz,65KW)
Memory Dual Channel 2GB (4x512MB) 533Mhz DDR2
Hard Drive 160GB Serial ATA (7200 Rpm)
DVD+/-RW (ReadWrite) 16X
Video card Nvidia Geforce 7300 Turbocache 256MB DVI/VGA output with 1xS-Video Output
Audio Integrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital capability
English Windows Vista Home Premium

All that for only €341.70

I'll be sticking a Wifi card and my own Hauppauge PVR150MCE into it.

8T8

Go with Vista/Premium Media Centre if you run into any problems you can always use XP Media Centre.

Just be sure to update the display drivers & avoid K-Lite codec packs and the like stick to packs like CCCP for other video support.

KTRIC

I just spoke to Dell and they don't know if the version ov Vista Home Premium is the 64bit or 32bit version thats being supplied with this machine. The AMD is a 64bit one, I can't see the point if it doesn't come with the 64bit software.

Does anyone know which one they are shipping ?

CarefulNow

That is more than likely the 32 bit version.

KTRIC

CarefulNow wrote:

That is more than likely the 32 bit version.

What the hell is the point in shipping all the E521's with 64bit cpu's and a 32bit OS !!!

papu

because 64bit os's are poo tbqh , crap driver support and its not any faster , not much use

KTRIC

papu wrote:

because 64bit os's are poo tbqh , crap driver support and its not any faster , not much use

MMmm suppose so. Might stick with the 32bit version then. A mate in work told me to avoid the 64bit versions like the plague.

ethernet

I use this machine at work, albeit slightly modified. Virus scans are a delight on it -- about 14 minutes every time in comparison to over an hour on my own P4 machine.

KTRIC, I think the E521 is aimed at businesses and VAT isn't included in prices. Would explain the low price.

KTRIC

ethernet wrote:

I use this machine at work, albeit slightly modified. Virus scans are a delight on it -- about 14 minutes every time in comparison to over an hour on my own P4 machine.

KTRIC, I think the E521 is aimed at businesses and VAT isn't included in prices. Would explain the low price.

Good to hear about the proformance. And the price I quoted is including VAT and shipping , how's about those apples

sansebastian

Don't suppose you've a link to where I could get that do you? Planning on ordering something next week and that looks like better value than what I was looking at

KTRIC

sansebastian wrote:

Don't suppose you've a link to where I could get that do you? Planning on ordering something next week and that looks like better value than what I was looking at

I rang them and talked to the sales department. I got €160 knocked off the list price on the site by haggling a bit. Not really a haggler and won't generally do it unless I know the product well. I couldn't believe it worked to be honest.

sansebastian

Crap was hoping for a link so I could customize it a bit. Thanks anyway, hope you enjoy it!

ethernet

sansebastian wrote:

Crap was hoping for a link so I could customize it a bit. Thanks anyway, hope you enjoy it!

Behold: http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=ie&cs=iebsdt1&kc=D4XENT01&l=en&oc=D05E11A&rbc=D05E11A&s=bsd&sbc=iebsdftdppdesktop1

wheatln2

#Elites wrote:

Very nice deal you go tthere:)

Yup, a spec like that for a a price like that is awesome, good work on the haggling!

APM

this machine is EX vat and delivery though??

KTRIC

APM wrote:

this machine is EX vat and delivery though??

Read the thread, no it isn't . The price I had in my first post was including VAT and delivery.

I got the machine today and I'm very happy with it apart from the fact that Dell put the 128mb version of the vid card in it hoping I wouldn't notice. I'll have to call the tomorrow to get the one I ordered.