Dell Dimension 5150C review

The 250GB Maxtor hard disk means there's room for over 200 hours of films and programmes at standard quality, and to help transport such files off and onto the PC there's a range of ports and slots hidden behind the fascia. A press of a silver button smoothly slides the top section up and backwards to rest on top of the case. You'll find four slots for media cards, which take SD to CompactFlash, to all flavours of Sony Memory Stick. There's also FireWire, two USB 2 ports and an NEC DVD writer that can burn both types of dual-layer disc. At the back, you'll find a further five USB 2 ports, another FireWire and the 10/100 LAN connection.

Although we have reservations about hot-running components in this tiny case, a lengthy chat with the Dell engineers has reassured us sufficiently. But it's the superb screen that makes this worth considering, especially at this price. Dell sells the TFT for £800 exc VAT on its own (although third-party resellers sell it for nearer £600), so you're getting a small, quiet, powerful dual-core machine for around £250. Considered that way, the 5150C is a fine buy. If you want to order, use E-Value code PPUK5-D025C7R.

Author: Clive Webster