Business Computers

Mainstream and business desktop computers

While a computer that costs more than $1,000 is overkill for most mainstream and business users (see our report on budget desktops for more appropriate options), experts say that a few options are worth consideration for power users.

The Dell XPS 410 (starting at *est $1,000 with a 19-inch widescreen LCD monitor) has been on the market for a long time. The newest reviews are from September 2006, which means that it hasn't been reviewed with Windows Vista. Even the base model now ships with Vista Home Premium. Dell markets the XPS 410 as a multimedia computer, but it only becomes that by upgrading the processor and video card, which bumps the price to about $1,200.

In the most recent review, [H]Consumer sees the Dell XPS 410 as average, and reviews argue that Dell includes an excessive amount of bloatware and promotional software on new systems. AnandTech.com reaches similar conclusions about the XPS 410. Reviewer Jarred Walton says, "For the hard-core hardware junkies, you can certainly get equal to or better performance for less money than Dell is charging. On the other hand, if you simply want a prebuilt system that is easy enough for your parents or grandparents to set up… the Dell XPS 410 is presently one of the best choices on the market."

PC Magazine's Joel Santo Domingo says the same thing, but he believes the XPS 410 fills an important mid-range market niche. The configuration Santo Domingo reviewed cost $2,313 at that time. PC World reviewed an XPS 410 system with about the same price in July 2006 and says the performance is good for the price, but expandability is too limited. CNet.com disagrees about the value, but editors there also like the market niche. CNet.com notes that operation is quiet, which is especially a virtue for multimedia use.

The Velocity Micro Vector GX Custom Home & Office PC (starting at *est. $800 without monitor) is perhaps a better alternative. Although this specific base model isn't reviewed, we found many favorable reports on other Velocity Micro Vector GX configurations. In a July 2007 review, PC Magazine selects the Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition (*est. $1,000) as an Editor's Choice. Joel Santo Domingo summarizes, "Velocity Micro's Vector GX Campus Edition is perfect for students or anyone on a budget who's looking for the latest, greatest technology without the high price tag that usually comes with it." See our companion report on budget desktops for more information about the Campus Edition.

While the Campus Edition is only available in a semi-fixed configuration, the Custom Home & Office PC has a variety of options. The base configuration is compromised with 1GB of RAM and integrated video, but boosting memory and adding a graphics card won't add much to the overall cost. As discussed above, reviewers consistently say that Velocity Micro provides great value; you get a higher-end configuration at the same price as a bestselling brand, plus better build quality. Tech support is U.S.-based. However, unlike higher-end Velocity Micro desktops, the base limited warranty for the Vector GX is only one year.

Dell offers considerably more configuration options than Velocity Micro, and Dell's build time is faster. Both the Velocity Micro Vector GX and Dell XPS 410 straddle the line between budget and high-end models. Versions of both desktops have been on the market for a long time, but prices and options change often.