Dell Inspiron 531s Desktop Computer (AMD Athlon X2 4450E, 500GB HDD, 2GB)

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If we take a closer look at HP's competing system, we find that HP might have the smaller design, but the Inspiron 531S offers more expandability. The Dell measures 14.1 inches high, 3.8 inches wide, and 16.1 inches deep. That might be bigger than the Pavilion SlimLine (10.8 inches high, 4.5 inches wide, and 13.3 inches deep), but Dell puts that extra space to work. Where as HP offers room for only one graphics card and one standard PCI card, Dell has room for the 3D card and three other PCI cards. True, both systems' slim chassis require that you use half-height expansion cards, which limits the extent of your add-in options. But at least with the Dell you could upgrade to a 3D card, the Wi-Fi option, and a TV tuner (although, as was pointed out to us by a reader, you'd have to shop elsewhere for the tuner, as the model on Dell's site is PCI-Express only). HP's SlimLine gives you less flexibility due to its smaller chassis.

However different the hardware might be between HP, eMachines, and Dell, all three vendors have comparable support offerings, which offer you a variety of choices for ways to troubleshoot your system. Dell's basic warranty gives you one year of parts and labor coverage out of the box. It also has a 24-7 toll-free phone support. Beyond those basics, all three vendors have remote control tech support, in which you can turn over control of your PC to a support tech via the Web. Dell also has added a software suite with various free and fee-based means to take care of your system. Unlike HP's Total Care software, which stores the information locally on your PC, Dell's Support Center links to various resources on its Web site. If your Internet connection becomes a problem, you might run into trouble, but overall, the information is useful and well-organized.

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System configurations:

Dell Inspiron 531
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.6GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+; 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT graphics card; 250GB 7,200 rpm Western Digital hard drive

Dell Inspiron 531S
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.3GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+; 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 64MB (shared) Nvidia GeForce 6150SE integrated graphics chip; 250GB 7,200 rpm Western Digital hard drive

eMachines T5230
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.3GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400; 1GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 128MB (shared) Nvidia GeForce 6150SE graphics chip; 250GB 7,200 rpm Western Digital hard drive

HP Compaq Presario SR5050NX
Windows Vista Home Premium; 3.0GHz Intel Pentium D 925; 1GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 224MB (shared) Intel GMA 950 graphics chip; 250GB 7,200rpm Samsung hard drive

HP Pavilion SlimLine s3020n
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.0GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+; 1GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 128MB (shared) integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150LE graphics chip; 250GB 7,200 rpm Samsung hard drive

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