| Performance | 10 | |
| Setup and Ease of use | 8 | |
| Service and Support | 8 | |
| Features | 9 | |
| Design | 8 | |
| Overall | 9/10 | |
For their latest desktop technologies, Dell uses the Dimension 8000 series as a showcase . This primarily translates into the latest Intel and Microsoft technologies--you won't find Athlon processors or Via chipset motherboards on the Dimension 8200 we tested. But you will find just about everything else you'd ever want in a fully loaded desktop PC. Like many high-end systems, Dimension 8200 configurations use Pentium 4 processors (1.8GHz through 2.53GHz), fast RDRAM, and graphics cards with 128MB of video memory for top performance. Beyond those basic ingredients, however, you can choose from a mixed array of options. How about 2GB of RDRAM? A 120GB hard drive? A CD-RW/DVD+RW drive? Or a 20-inch flat-panel display? By the time you're done, you may need to take out a home equity loan to pay for the thing. What you won't find, though, is IEEE 1394 as part of the standard configuration; nor will you get drive subsystems running at fast Ultra ATA/133. Dell's high end is more conservative than cutting edge. Speaking of conservative, the Dimension 8200's base configuration remains hobbled by a GeForce2 MX-based graphics system. Though the GeForce2 MX is a solid low- to midrange graphics card, the Dimension 8200's scores on our 3D tests lagged significantly behind those of top-of-the-line Dimension 4400 systems with GeForce3 Ti 200 graphics cards. Otherwise configured with any of the 64MB or 128MB options available, the Dimension 8200 turned in average numbers for its class. For example, in our labs' tests, the similarly configured ABS Digital 8 fared about the same across the board. And tricked-out desktops and workstations from the likes of Alienware, Falcon Northwest, and Hypersonic may offer better peak performance for 3D gaming or other high-end applications. But for strong overall performance on the full range of everyday programs, the Dimension 8200 is one of our top choices. To get the most out of the Dimension 8200 (or any performance desktop, for that matter), get a fast graphics card, a 60GB or larger hard drive, and 256MB of memory. Dell's base configuration falls far short of ideal. We recommend configuring the system with a 2.2GHz P4, 256MB of RDRAM, an 80GB hard drive, a 64MB Nvidia GeForce3 Ti 200 graphics card, a 19-inch M991 monitor, CD-RW and DVD-ROM drives, and surround-sound speakers--all of which will run you a little less than $2,200. If your budget is closer to $2,000, we suggest a similarly configured Dimension 4400 with a 2GHz Pentium 4 and a 40GB hard drive. The Dimension 8200's expandability, connectivity, and general ease of use are pretty good. It's housed in the same two-tone gray tower case found in its midrange counterpart, the 4000 series. The case's front panel has two USB ports (there are four altogether) and a headphone jack, but it's too bad that the door design makes it very tough to access the ports if you place the system on the floor. The Dimension 8200 also lacks IEEE 1394 (FireWire) for applications that require faster throughput (such as digital video), but you could purchase a separate PCI card for about $50. To open the Dimension 8200's case, you must first turn it on its side (a large arrow shows which way is up) and press buttons on the top and bottom. The advantage to this is that the case splits open like a book, providing easy access to all components. Green plastic tabs enable tool-free removal and installation of PCI cards, drives, and other components. Assuming you opt for a network card, that'll leave you with one open PCI slot (the system has one AGP slot and a total of four PCI slots). The Movie Studio bundle consists of a version of Dazzle's Hollywood DV bridge--a PCI card with two IEEE 1394 ports, plus a breakout box with analog-capture, digital-capture, and output connectors--accompanied by a DVD+RW drive and MGI VideoWave 4 SE video-editing software. One of the advantages of this separate video-and-graphics-card architecture over an ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon 8500DV card (used by systems such as the ABS All U Can DV) is that it allows Dell to pair the Dazzle with a GeForce3 Ti 500 card for state-of-the-art gaming performance. The 8000 line's performance translates into a fairly smooth video-editing experience, suitable for users working on small (320x240) projects. At larger sizes, make sure you have at least 512MB of RAM. The VideoWave software is very easy to pick up and offers all the basics functions, such as titling and transitioning. But if you like to take shortcuts or want granular control over the sound track, you'll outgrow it very quickly. The software also includes Sonic's basic-but-sufficient MyDVD for burning DVDs. The Dimension 8200 ships with either Windows XP Home or Professional ($99 upgrade), your choice of Microsoft office productivity suites, and an introductory version of Norton AntiVirus 2002. Dell also offers its own software for digital audio (a branded version of the popular MusicMatch Jukebox 6.0), digital imaging, and digital video, some of which are optional. The standard warranty for the Dimension 8000 series covers one year for both parts and labor as well as onsite service. If you're looking for a system at this level, chances are you can live without extended technical support, but if you're investing $2,000 or more, you may want a longer warranty. Toll-free, 24/7 telephone support is included for one year (though bundled software is covered for only 30 days), with similar upgrade options. In our recent review of service and support for desktop vendors, Dell received a B grade (the highest any company has received so far) for its warranty, documentation, online and telephone technical support, and hardware service.
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The Lowdown: The flagship of Dell's Dimension line offers solid performance and most of the features you'd expect in a high-end PC, offering a good range of configuration options for reasonable prices. Its performance isn't the fastest, but it will suit users who don't mind living a bit below the cutting edge in exchange for working with an established vendor. It's a safe, solid choice for gamers, designers, or anyone looking for a desktop that's built to last.
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