Pros & Cons
-
- Compact and quiet.
- No bloatware.
- 15-month subscription to MacAfee Internet Security.
- Fast core i3 processor.
- HDMI port.
- Some expandability.
-
- 320GB hard drive.
- Weak 3D performance.
- No eSATA or FireWire port.
- Could use wireless connection.
Dell Inspiron 580s Specs
| Graphics Card: | Intel GMA X4500HD |
| Operating System: | Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium |
| Primary Optical Drive: | Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW |
| Processor Family: | Intel Core i3 |
| Processor Name: | Intel Core i3-530 |
| Processor Speed: | 2.93 GHz |
| RAM: | 4 GB |
| Storage Capacity (as Tested): | 320 GB |
| Type: | Mainstream |
The compact Dell Inspiron 580s ($618 direct) is a competitor to small form factor PCs like the 
) and HP's Slimline PCs. The 580s has one of Intel's latest Core i3 processors, giving its users excellent performance for a fair price. It's a good upgrade for those using 4-5 year-old desktop PCs, particularly if they're still using an older Pentium 4 or Athlon 64 processor. The Inspiron 580s is a general-purpose desktop for the person performing everyday light to moderate multimedia tasks.
Design
The Inspiron 580s follows the design of previous Dell SFF (small form factor) PCs, like the 
) I looked at last year. This time around, the desktop's design has been altered to sport a glossy black faceplate with a hexagonal motif etched under the surface. The system's two optical drive bays are filled with a DVD burner and a multi-card reader. The front of the system is uncluttered and clean with the power button and a pair of USB ports as the only other adornments on the front of the system. This is also because the optical drive and card reader, which are normally on the front of the chassis, hide behind hinged doors. The doors hide the ugly drive trays while they're not being used, keeping the system's sleek design intact. Other I/O ports include four more USB ports in the back, connectors for VGA and HDMI monitors, Ethernet, and audio. All-in-all, it's a neatly-designed system. Although I would've liked to have seen eSATA and at least one FireWire port, their absence isn't a deal breaker.
Inside, the system is well laid out, if a little cramped (as is expected). The system has room for one PCI card, two PCIe x1 cards, and a PCIe x16 graphics card. Because of the SFF form factor, these all need to be half-height cards, but the fact that the system has OK integrated graphics means that you may not need a graphics card right away. All four RAM slots are filled with the system's 4GB of RAM. You'll have to pull a couple of DIMMs out if you want to upgrade. Most users will be fine with a 4GB system anyway.
Features
The Inspiron 580s has a 320GB hard drive, which translates into thousands of MP3 and photo files for casual users. People that download a lot of stuff off the Internet may want something more. The system comes with a standard Dell wired mouse and keyboard. I'd like to see 802.11n Wi-Fi as an option for the Inspiron 580s, since the system's compact enough to fit in most of the rooms in your house, but I surmise "go anywhere" is within the realm of small, compact systems like a netbook or a nettop like the ).
The system is free of the bloatware that seems to plague retail systems, such as those from Gateway and HP. No bloatware is one of the benefits of buying a configured-to-order PC direct from a PC maker like Dell. The system comes with a full version of Microsoft Works 9, as opposed to the ad-supported version found on some Gateway systems. The computer initially boots up into a setup wizard, which has prompts to set up recovery and Dell's DataSafe online backup, as well as links to Dell's support center and other Windows 7 help. I applaud the fact that Dell provides links to the bloatware I complain about, rather than pre-installing the software. A browser link is easier to ignore and doesn't affect your system, while pre-installed bloatware programs are at best a nuisance and at worst a tech support nightmare.
Performance
) and ).
The Inspiron 580s has Intel Integrated GMA graphics (equivalent to GMA X4500HD) embedded in the Core i3 processor, which is more for HD video processing, rather than 3D gaming—the single-digit game scores bear this out. Sure, you can load World in Conflict or Crysis, but it won't be a pleasant experience. Get something more powerful (like the Gateway FX6831-01 ) if you want to play newer 3D games.
The Dell Inspiron 580s is a good compact system for the home user. The 580s could be your primary system, with enough power for multimedia tasks in Photoshop. Nonetheless, my advice is to go with the ) a slightly better choice, because it has most of the same performance for about $20 less with a much larger hard drive (640GB) and a 20-inch monitor packed in.
BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS
Check out the test scores for the
COMPARISON TABLE
More desktop reviews:
Final Thoughts
Dell Inspiron 580s
The Dell Inspiron 580s a good upgrade for people using 4- or 5-year-old desktop PCs, particularly if they're still using an older Pentium 4 or Athlon 64 processor. It's a compact PC for the person performing everyday light to moderate multimedia tasks.