pcmagnetwork logo
Subscribe!

Desktops

  FIND PRODUCTS
Narrow your search for
Desktops:


Price
 
Company
Hewlett-Packard Company (92)
Dell, Inc. (68)
Gateway Inc (50)
Velocity Micro Inc (34)
eMachines Inc (33)
Show more...
 
Type
 
Processor Family
 
RAM
1 GB (186)
512 MB (137)
2 GB (84)
256 MB (51)
128 MB (35)
Show more...
 
Storage Capacity
 
Primary Optical Drive
 

New Search

PC Magazine Desktops Product Guide Add PC Magazine Desktops Product Guide RSS feed to your feed reader so that you don't miss another headline!

  • Add to My Yahoo!
  • Add to Google
  • Add to My MSN

Dell Dimension E521 (Vista)

Dell Dimension E521

review

Editors' Note: We updated this review on May 4 with the results of the new SYSMark 2007 Preview tests. The updates are highlighted below.

The Dell Dimension E521 represents the entry point for Windows Vista Home Premium. Sure you could run that Vista edition with less (1GB instead of 2GB, single core instead of dual core), but in my opinion, this E521 is the effective minimum configuration to keep you computing in good stead for the next few years. With the introduction of more programs that take advantage of Vista's new features, and with the extra add-ons like Vista Gadgets and (missing) security software, you'll need the future-proofed features if you're the type of user (beginning multimedia enthusiast or budding power user) who wants Vista Premium instead of Vista Home Basic.

red arrow Read the Dell Dimension E521 (Vista) full review

Company

Dell, Inc.

http://www.dell.com

Spec Data
  • Price as Tested: $834.00 - $1,064.00 Direct
  • Type: Media
  • Processor Family: AMD Athlon 64 X2
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • Storage Capacity: 160 GB
  • RAID: No
  • Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X1300 Pro
  • Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
  • Secondary Optical Drive: DVD/CD-RW
  • Monitor Type: LCD Widescreen
  • Screen Size: 20 inches
  • Vista Compatibility: Windows Vista Premium Ready
  • Notes: $834 direct, $1,064 with 20-inch widescreen LCD monitor

Bottom Line

Our first mainstream Vista desktop, the Dell Dimension E521 shows the quintessential entry point for Windows Vista Home Premium. Dual-core CPU, discrete graphics, 2GB of memory and a large, fast hard drive equal a good Vista experience. Anything less, you'll want to stick to a budget PC with Windows Vista Home Basic.

Pros

2GB of system memory for a smooth Vista transition. Vista Aero/Premium. Multimedia keyboard. Easy-to-service chassis. Quiet.

Cons

No Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Discrete graphics unsuitable for high-end gaming. Only 30-day security software subscription.

Lenovo ThinkPad T400
Lenovo ThinkPad X200
Click Here Click Here
Info Centers
 
Special Offers
 
Buy It Here
StoreStore RaingBase PricePrice
Check Prices From All Stores
Enter your zip for prices with tax and shipping.
Your zipcode will only be used to calculate applicable state tax and ground shipping charges.
Enter your ZIP code:
 
newsletters

Get PCMag.com's FREE email newsletters delivered to your inbox.

It's easy, just follow the steps.

Want more? Check out our other newsletters here.

Manage your newsletter subscriptions here.

1. Make your selections:

Daily News Alert
Inside PCMag.com
PCMag.com Small Business Update
PCMagCast Update
Productwire: First Looks Update
Security Watch
Tech Saver
Tip of the Day
Utility Library Update
What's New Now
PCMag Announcements

2. Select email format:

3. Enter email address:


NoteWhen 3: Clear the Clutter. Version 3




NoteWhen 3: Clear the Clutter. Version 3 adds many features that you, our subscribers, have been asking for. You can now:

Send notes by e-mail, including Gmail or secure servers
Synchronize notes with notes from other machines
Lock notes to prevent further editing
Archive notes, taking them out of the list without deleting them
View scheduled events on a bigger calendar showing note titles
Make NoteWhen portable for flash drives
Export notes to HTML, RTF, Text, or CSV
Print a list of notes

Download Now: NoteWhen3Setup.zip
PCMagCast
PC Magazine's live, online events make you more productive at work, home, and on the go. Best of all, they're FREE!

Featured Event:

5 Strategies for Providing Superior Tech Support While Cutting Costs
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 1pm ET - Sponsored by Citrix Online
How do technical support organizations keep customers satisfied and stay competitive while cutting costs? Attend this webcast to find out. Register today.

See all PCMagCasts >>
 
More Free PCMagCasts:

On-Demand Applications: Easy Ways for Your Business to Work Online
Sponsored by Dell Sb360
We walk you through the best on-demand offerings and what they can do for your business. Attend now.

V