On ordering the system, I noted that:
- there is no wireless card included (as in the Vostro 270) and it could not be added by DELL.
- there is no option for a media card reader.
- the price was £75 more expensive.
The system was aesthetically pleasing and looked the business. The performance in general was good (WEI: 7.3, 5.9, 5.1, 6.5, 5.9); note here the better performance of the Haswell integrated graphics.
On opening the system case:
- no DVI connection at the rear of the system. The monitor did have a connection and the cable was included.
- no extra hard disk drive caddy. The user cannot upgrade the system with a second hard drive.
- there is no dedicated space to put a 2.5" SSD (strange on a modern desktop system).
- no additional PCI-E graphics power connector, limiting your choice of graphics card expansion.
- no easy mount for a media card reader or floppy drive.
- non-standard motherboard power socket and PSU. Back to the bad old days of DELL proprietary hardware.
- there is a small speaker for Windows clicks, dings and pops.
- only two memory slots, only one available for expansion.
Also for this particular system which was delivered three working days late; there was a dent in the side of the case, no power cord for the monitor (no, it wasn't in the system packaging) and no Windows 7 license sticker.
I feel that this new DELL is an expensive replacement for the Vostro 270 that doesn't have the same design, capabilities and expansion potential. A poor start for the newly privatised DELL.
