I have just finished setting up my third DELL desktop computer. This one is the Inspiron 530. It replaces a Dimension 8250 that had less than 1/3 the hard drive (120GB vs 500GB) and cleanly one third the RAM (1GB vs 3GB) and cost about half – Less when you take into account the relative devalued US dollar of 2008 vs. what it was worth when I bought that DELL 8250 a little over 5 years ago. If only food, housing and other commodities followed the path of relative costs for electronics, we could all be living better on less!
Without dwelling on a plethora of technical specifics, I configured my DELL Inspiron 530 according to how I use and need it. All DELLs can be uniquely configured and built according to the needs, wishes and interests of the customer. Each is (or can be) a completely personalized computer system. Mine came to me, as ordered, with one 500GB hard drive (and a bay for a second should I ever care to add more,) 3 GBs of shared 667Mhtz DDRAM – an amount surpassing my current needs as an occasional home movie maker, an Intel® Dual Core processor – an E5400 that runs at a respectable speed of 2.20 GHz, and an incredibly bright and clear 20″ flat panel wide screen monitor (the E207WFP.)
With DELL, every component is, again, negotiable and each can be chosen from a wide range of available options: Or, for simplicity and beginners sake, pre-built ‘standard’ models are available for general use.
After discovering the delightful freedom of cable-free internet connectivity with a wireless router and my laptop, I had an internal wireless card installed in my Inspiron 530 at the factory. It works flawlessly and with considerably fewer wires cluttering up the space behind it.
I settled for the ‘standard’ integrated video and audio cards that are basic stock for the INspiron 530, added a 19 in one memory card reader, some additional IEEE 1394A (Firewire) ports and a second optical drive to compliment the DVD-RW drive that came ‘standard.’ I upgraded the ‘standard’ speaker system that comes packaged with the Inspiron 530 to the mid-priced A525 speaker system that includes a powered subwoofer along with the two small desktop speakers.
Because I am the cautious type when it comes to my equipment, I also sprang for the three-year in-home service warranty. Although, like with any other kind of insurance, I don’t want or even expect to need it, it is comforting to know that it is there just in case! (In six years of these warranties on my two previous DELLs, I had the in home service two times.)
It’s a little hard to believe that this system, which I was able to fully set up myself in a couple of hours, was delivered for under $1,100. My first DELL desktop back in 1997 cost twice that (in 1997 dollars.) The 8250 I just replaced cost about the same (in 2003 dollars.) For half, I have achieved at least twice the power, three times the hard drive and triple the available working Random Access Memory.
The pre-installed software in the DELL Inspiron 530 is nothing to write home about. The operating system is Vista Premium. (It can be built with Windows XP for anyone who prefers to stick with the known and familiar.) The rather rudimentary Microsoft Works 9 suite is built in as is a trial of a proprietary security suite (Tenebril.) A lot of the pre-installed programs, including the security trial software, can be immediately deleted. Windows Vista is built with a perfectly adequate firewall included and a good (and free!) anti-spyware/anti-virus program is all that most users ever really need to assure security. I use and recommend Avast, though the free version of AVG from Grosoft is entirely acceptable as well.
I have learned from past experience to not overload a new machine with lots of space-taking software. Some, however, is necessary. Being selective is what matters most. The Inspiron 530 comes with Windows Movie Maker installed. This basic video making program is much improved over earlier versions on which you could not even burn a DVD of your work, However, being an avid though admittedly amateur videographer, I sprang for the new version of Adobe Premier Elements 4. Also, finding the Microsoft Works program a tad less than adequate, I purchased and installed a Microsoft Office 2007 suite.
A few small cleaning utilities including Registry Mechanic, CC Cleaner and Windows Free Registry Cleaner along with the Home version of Diskeeper 2008 completed my own program installations. The system runs flawlessly using either the Internet Explorer or my always preferred Firefox browser.
After set up, I opted to replace the delivered mouse and keyboard with wireless equipment as a function of personal preference rather than of true functional need.
The DELL Inspiron 530 is much smaller and lighter than was the venerable DELL Dimension series that preceded it. The cabinet is silver and the optical drives pop out of covered enclosures at the touch of a button. There are 4 USB ports on the back of the cabinet and another 4 on the front. Other welcome developments include the front side headset and microphone inputs along with a single Firewire port. The 19-in-1 card reader is also easily accessible front side. The days of moving things around to get behind the computer to plug something in are past – Thank goodness!
Between the basic design improvements, the speed of the dual core processor, increased hard drive and tripled available shared DDRAM, I am pleased to report complete satisfaction with this DELL Inspiron 530.
The basis unit was on sale the week I ordered it for around $600. With DELL, you must watch the site daily for a while to time your purchase with a really good deal.
On the downside, there is the standard issue of outsourced customer service and phone tech support. Language is an issue as is the relative lack of real expertise of most of the first and second level representatives. This issue alone caused me to consider switching from another DELL to Apple which is noted for its superior technical support. However, not being a novice and liking DELL’s hardware a lot, I decided to buy my third. I have no regrets.
The DELL Inspiron 530, configured to your tastes and needs, is a lot of computer for the money.
It is gratifying to know that at least this one family of consumer goods that includes computers, other electronics and digital cameras continues to drop in price as the items accelerate in value. Were that other consumer goods followed that same trajectory.
Best to be happy with the part of our glass that is half full as opposed to lamenting the part that is half empty. The DELL Inspiron 530 makes my glass look, feel and taste a lot more than half full. It had the same impact on my savings account!
