I need help deciding which Dell to get

[basshead]

Which computer should I get? I am a newbie and I am using a 5 year old computer that I never upgraded. It's too slow for what I want to do: have multiple programs running, use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop at the same time, have outlook open with music playing on Itunes, etc. I also want to be able to use two LCD screens at once. I don't do any gaming, movie watching or anything like that on my computer.

I have no idea which computer would be best for me. Any advice is helpful, please be nice because I have no real knowledge in computer tech, my last computer was just bought already made off the shelf.

Thanks in advance:

COMPUTER #1 ($860 out the door)

Dell Inspiron

22" widescreen LCD monitor
2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4500 (2MB L2Cache)
2 GB of DDR2 system memory, 667 MHz
500 GB hard drive, 7200 rpm
DVD+/-RW drive
19-in-1 digital media card reader
Windows Vista Premium home version
Integrated Intel GMA X3100 video card



COMPUTER #2 ($1000 out the door)

Vostro 400 Mini Tower

22" widescreen LCD monitor
2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6550 (4MB L2Cache,1333FSB)
2 GB of DDR2 system memory, 800 MHz
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
DVD+/-RW drive
Digital media card reader
Windows Vista Premium home version
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600GT

 

[lolitha]

Well i will go to the Vostro one because of seperate gfx and higer processor clock. And HDD is lower than Dell. If that concerns you ,you will able to upgrade it i think.

 

[Need Help A Lot]

ok guy u can take the vostro if you want a nice gfx card.BUT AT ALL COSTS DONT GET A DAMNED COMPUTER WITH AN INTEGRATED INTEL.there get a vostro

 

[acidpython]

The Dell Inspiron is a much better deal. Whats wrong with the IG? Hes not a gamer and the 8600GT would be a waste. You can't get by on 160GB, especially with the media work you'll be doing. You may wish to fit another 1GB or 2GB of RAM in there for all that multitasking. If you want to run two separate monitors and want a graphics card just slot in one of these;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102731

Otherwise you could get a splitter and upgrade later.

 

[surrealdeal]

vostro still has more cache...

 

[Flakes]

The Dell Inspiron is a much better deal. Whats wrong with the IG? Hes not a gamer and the 8600GT would be a waste. You can't get by on 160GB, especially with the media work you'll be doing. You may wish to fit another 1GB or 2GB of RAM in there for all that multitasking. If you want to run two separate monitors and want a graphics card just slot in one of these;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102731

Otherwise you could get a splitter and upgrade later.

He is right whats the point in paying $200 more for a gfx card your never going to use. on a 160GB drive i wouldnt be able to fit my music collection on it, never mind anything else.. get the Inspirion.

 

[arenaria]

NONE! Run away as fast as you can!!!
I have had nothing but trouble with Dell! The Inspirons go through power supplys on a regular basis. I have replaced the cd drive and hard drive several times, and it runs VERY hot. I've owned or worked on many Dell desktops as well. Upgrading with anything but DELL issued parts is very tricky business.
Use to be if you wanted a quality rig, Dell was the place to go, not anymore! Tech support is near useless as well.
ASUS makes really excellent laptops with darn good specs to boot!

 

[jhiggins]

I don't know what you are adding to your quotes but I got this at $988, which for your applications is WAY better than what you are quoting for your applications. Depending on how much rendering/multitasking you do, you might want to opt for the Q6600 instead:

Intel® Core™2 Duo Proc E8400 (3.0GHz,6MB L2Cache,1333FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium, Service Pack 1
1 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 1 Year NBD On-Site Service
Dell 22 inch Widescreen E228WFP Analog Flat Panel Display
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz - 2DIMMs
Single Drive: 16X (DVD+/-RW) Burner Drive
500GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
256MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
19in1 Media Card Reader