- Good Pentium 4 Processor
- Includes Monitor
- Smaller 80GB Hard Drive
- Limited Software Package
- Media Center OS Without Corresponding Hardware
- Intel Pentum 521 (2.8GHz) Processor
- 512MB PC2-4200 DDR2 Memory
- 80GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 16x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
- AC'97 Audio
- Intel GMA 900 Graphics with 128MB Shared Memory
- 17" E773 Dell CRT Monitor
- v.90 56Kbps Modem and 10/100 Ethernet
- Six USB 2.0 Ports
- Windows XP Media Center 2005 and Word Perfect 12 Word Processor
4/11/06 – Unlike the Dell Dimension B series systems, the E310 is powered by the more power Intel Pentium 4 521 (2.8GHz) processor. While this is still a lower end Pentium 4 processor, it provides a significant performance boost over the Celeron D. It is matched up with 512MB of PC2-4200 DDR2 memory that should let it run most productivity programs without much problem.
Another area that suffers over the B series is the storage. While the B110 came with a sizable 160GB hard drive, the Dimension E310 comes with just half that at 80GB. Thankfully the system does come with a 16x DVD+/-RW dual layer burner to create music, movie or data CDs and DVDs to conserve space on the hard drive. In order to reduce costs, it also does not come without a media card reader that is common to many system now.
Like most budget systems, the Dimension E310 uses an integrated graphics processor. The Intel GMA 900 graphics may be a step up, but it still lacks much of the performance required for 3D applications or for many of the features in the upcoming Vista Aero interface. Dell also includes a 17” CRT monitor with the system which is a nice touch.
One of the big areas for improvement with the E310 is the software. While it comes with a word processor, it lacks any other productivity software. The Media Center Edition operating system is also wasted as it does not have any included hardware such as a remote or TV tuner to really take advantage of it.
