Reviewed on February 5, 2008Taking consumer complaints to heart, Dell updates its mainstream 15-inch laptop with the Inspiron 1525. It's thinner, lighter, and less expensive than its predecessor.TAGS:Dell Inspiron, Intel Core 2 Duo, Dell, keyboard, laptop computer, Intel
Reviewed on July 11, 2008The Dell Inspiron 1525-121B is the textbook example of a midsize, mainstream laptop. Switching to slower CPU knocks a little off the performance, but also takes $80 off the price and adds battery life, compared with Dell's more mainstream configurations.TAGS:Dell Inspiron, Intel Pentium, Dell, dual-core, Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel, laptop computer, keyboard, CPU
Reviewed on June 29, 2007Dell's retooled Inspiron line introduces the new 14-inch Inspiron 1420 laptop, which benefits from an internal and external makeover. The wide-ranging configuration options mean that virtually any mainstream user can find a system to fit their budget.TAGS:Dell Inspiron, Intel Centrino Duo, Intel Centrino, Dell, Intel Core 2 Duo, laptop computer, resolution, Intel
Reviewed on September 5, 2008Dell's entry into the Netbook market means it's time to take these low-cost, low-power PCs seriously. The Inspiron Mini 9 is an excellent example of the form, if not radically different from the competition.TAGS:Netbook, Dell Inspiron, webcam, Dell, Intel, broadband, ASUS, hard drive, CPU, operating system
Reviewed on June 26, 2007Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.TAGS:Dell Inspiron, optical drive, Dell, dual-core, chipset, Intel, AMD, PC
Reviewed on January 28, 2009In its present configuration, the Dell Inspiron I530S-119B won't feel at home in a home theater or digital media environment, but it succeeds in providing high performance at minimal cost thanks to a faster processor than the competition. Future upgrades to this system are limited, but if you're shopping for a budget computer for basic functionality, this Dell will do the trick.TAGS:Acer Inc., Dell Inspiron, graphics chip, Dell, Acer Aspire, Intel Pentium, Intel, desktop computer, CPU, 64-bit, hard drive
Reviewed on April 28, 2009ZT's smartly configured Affinity 7308Ma offers a Blu-ray drive and fast application performance, both rare for its $699 price tag. You won't show off this midtower PC off for its looks, but we recommend it to those who enjoy the satisfaction that comes with finding a hidden bargain.TAGS:Blu-ray drive, Blu-ray, Dell XPS, graphics chip, Dell Inspiron, quad-core, Dell, Gateway Inc., AMD, PC
Reviewed on February 20, 2009By sticking a wireless network adapter in a desktop with relatively slow performance for its price range, it almost feels as if HP has phoned in the configuration of this Pavilion a6700y. We can think of few reasons to justify purchasing this PC.TAGS:HP Pavilion, Dell Inspiron, graphics chip, Gateway Inc., HP, Dell, optical drive, Wi-Fi, 64-bit, networking, Ethernet
Reviewed on February 26, 2009HP's Pavilion a6750y highlights the multitasking benefits of a mainstream quad-core CPU. It's also a fairly stable base on which to build a more capable system. You can find desktops with more raw performance out there, but this one is a reliable multitasker for the dollar.TAGS:HP Pavilion, Gateway Inc., Dell Inspiron, HP, Dell, networking, PC
Reviewed on July 31, 2008Dell's Inspiron 518 is the latest in a long line of utilitarian, midrange Windows PCs. We wish Dell offered a bit more flexibility with its configuration, as well as a 64-bit Windows option, but for a straightforward PC, this is one of the more powerful systems for the dollar.TAGS:Dell Inspiron, Gateway Inc., Velocity Micro, Dell, Intel Core 2 Duo, 64-bit, Intel, PC, HP, hard drive
Reviewed on June 26, 2007Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.TAGS:Dell Inspiron, optical drive, Dell, Intel Celeron, dual-core, Intel, chipset, AMD, PC
Reviewed on October 20, 2008As much as Acer's Aspire X3200 surpasses other pricier PCs with its wide array of useful inputs and outputs, you'll have a hard time choosing between it and its otherwise identical dual-core Acer linemate of the same price. If you're a multitasker on a budget, you'll likely prefer this model's triple-core CPU.TAGS:Acer Inc., Acer Aspire, graphics chip, Dell Inspiron, 64-bit, HDMI, Dell, hard drive, CPU, PC
Reviewed on June 11, 2009We cringe at the idea of recommending such a slow PC when you can get significantly better performance for just a few more dollars. That said, it's hard to argue with the eMachines EL1300G-01w's low price, clean good looks, and relatively complete budget feature set. As long as you have no ambitions for this PC performing anything resembling serious work, it will make a fine second or third home system.TAGS:eMachines Inc., HP Pavilion SlimLine, Apple Intel Mac Mini, AMD Athlon, Dell Inspiron, 32-bit, Nvidia GeForce, AMD, Dell, NVidia, Apple Macintosh, HP, PC