This is not the identical XPS 420 I purchased 18 months ago, but it's the most similar currently offered.PC hardware --especially from mass market producers like Dell-- can vary widely from month to month as they work with different suppliers and update their driver packages.
Most --but not all-- of the issues I've had with this machine probably lie with with Windows Vista operating system, but here's the good, the bad and the in-between over the last year and a half.
My desktop machines reflect very specific user needs (dual monitors for photo editing and editorial work, abundant RAM for working with photos, dual internal disk drives for data redundancy). I don't play games, so don't need state of the art in either processor or graphics capability (although I favor separate graphics processing cards over integrated graphics).
I usually build my own machines or work with a local shop to build to my requirements. In this case, a six-year old home built machine went bad (motherboard failure) with no notice. I chose Dell because they could deliver a machine with enough customization to meet my needs and have it delivered faster than I could order and assemble myself (or get from a local builder).
The XPS line was new to Dell when I bought this, and they were aiming at users with more demanding computing needs (gamers or people like me with clear user requirements for critical hardware specs). I don't think this is true any longer, since I've seen XPS machines in Wal-Mart (typically offered with the smaller RAM and single drives).
When I ordered from Dell, I had a lengthy Q&A with my sales representative. At least five times I told him that I needed a graphics adapter with dual DVI output (since both of my monitors have DVI connectors). He assured me that the adapter shipping with this machine did.
Of course, when it arrived, it did not have have dual DVI output: One DVI and one VGA mocked me from the rear of the machine.
I called Dell about this, and to their great credit, they immediately shipped an ATI Radeon 2600T upgrade adapter ($129) at no charge. Props to them for doing so.
The install of the new adapter was another story. Immediately after installation it did not work correctly (lots of fan noise and video displayed on only one monitor).
At this point, Dell agreed to a return of the whole unit. Because I had already placed some of my personal information on the machine, I used the system restore materials to format the drives and return it to its out of the box state.
The plot thickens:
When I did this, the new adapter was immediately recognized and began working perfectly (or nearly perfectly...more on this later).
Since that time, I've had only two other minor hardware/software issues. One time I had to reload the audio drivers, and another time I had to re-seat one of the RAM modules. Dell's tech support walked me through both quite competently.
This machine starts fast, handles my hardest computing tasks with ease, is relatively quiet, and is a reliable tool for my computing tasks.
Some lingering annoyances:
--I have reached a point where I am no longer to update my graphics drivers. This is a problem that is more of Windows Vista - ATI problem than a Dell problem, but every attempt to do so fails. The specific problem is known to ATI and its users, but no resolution seems forthcoming. Since the display is fine and I don't have to tweak to run games, this is a liveable gripe...but still not a good state. Users should be able to update drivers.
--For about four months, Windows Vista stopped recognizing the default mail program for "mail to" functions (so you can no longer "send to mail recipient" from the context menu/right mouse click). Not a show-stopper, but annoying if you are used to this workflow shortcut. Also not a Dell specific problem. As Windows sometimes does, this problem fixed itself suddenly and inexplicably!
--One of Dell's OEM accessory programs, the "Dell Support Center" got corrupted, resulting in a nearly constant error message. Removing that program cured that problem. It's essentially shovelware, and not missed.
Why three stars? If this machine had been sold to somebody NOT familiar with what's inside a PC case, it would have been returned in the first week due to the video card issue. This may have also been a point of contention when the RAM needed re-seated. Also, the dual hard drives arrived configured for RAID. Somebody unfamiliar with RAID configurations could have placed their data at risk while trying to return to non-RAID operation.
At this price point: everything should be perfect out of the box, and should remain so (or close to it) for the life of the machine. The lingering graphics driver problem is a liveable annoyance, but one Dell should work with ATI to get resolved.
Over the lifetime of this machine to date, the performance has been acceptable, but not remarkable.
Many of the issues may be as much as Vista's fault as Dell's, but still enough gripes have surfaced to place this machine firmly in the middle of the user experience pack.
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Click Here to see more reviews about: DELL XPS 420 DESKTOP - Intel® CoreTM2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB), 320 GB SATA HD,CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability, 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM , ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB, Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio, Wireless, Windows Vista® Home Premium
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DELL XPS 420 DESKTOP - Intel® CoreTM2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,,1066FSB), CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability, 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM , ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB, Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio, Windows Vista® Home Premium
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