Dell Vostro 470

Bottom Line

Loaded with ports and easy to upgrade, the well designed Dell Vostro 470 is a versatile business computer you can count on to deliver robust performance.

Performance

Nothing to sneeze at. With a quad core Intel Ivy Bridge i5 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive, the solid and sturdy Dell Vostro 470 can easily handle everyday computing. It can multitask without any issues, tackle most graphic chores, and competently handle some media rendering.

Step-up configurations (*Est. $650 and up) will boost processing strength, storage and memory; post-purchase you can drive RAM all the way up to 32 GB. Long before that, you'll be well equipped for all business needs. But if gaming's your thing, make sure to nab a discrete graphics card while you're at it. You'll probably still need to "stick with more moderate video settings", says PCMag's Matthew Murray.

Design

Basic black and functional. The Dell Vostro 470 is a neatly designed mini-tower with no gimmicks but plenty of versatility. It's primed with a DVD burner, and HDMI output and media-card reader. You'll find a useful complement of four USB 3.0 ports and eight USB 2.0 ports. Wired (Gigabit Ethernet) and wireless (802.11b/g/n) networking come standard.

Upgrades are easy. Remove the two thumbscrews and slide the side panel. There's room for another optical drive and a slot for a solid state drive if you'd like some more speed.

Bundled in the box are a USB keyboard and mouse with a "light, cheap feel to them", says Matthew Elliott at Computer Shopper. You may want to spring for wireless versions instead.

Support and Reliability

Standard operating procedure. Dell's basic support plan is a one-year limited warranty. Should a hardware problem develop that remote diagnostics can't resolve, you'll get next-day onsite service. However, unless you upgrade to Dell's ProSupport service, technical phone support is limited to business hours. Extended warranties are also available.

Value

Strong value for all-around tasking and business. If you don't require maximum gaming or a compact home theater, the Dell Vostro 470 delivers solid value for a relatively small chunk of change.