DeLL precision 370

Since the Dell Precision 370 series of business workstations relies on single processors in the systems, they're not as scalable or powerful as the dual-processor Precision lines. But the 370 systems are also much less expensive, starting at under $800.

And we're not saying that the 370's aren't powerful; they're built around the Intel 925X chipset featuring new technologies and performance enhancements. Starting with 2.8GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor featuring Hyper-Threading technology and 512MB of 400MHz DDR2 memory, the default power core of the 370 line will perform well on any applications.

Processor upgrades are available, though expensive. Moving up to a 3.0GHz P4 will add $120 to the system price, but a 3.2GHz P4 is a better value at $150. Dell offers P4 processors with EM64T architecture, making them ready for 64-bit operating systems and applications. The EM64T CPUs start at $220 for a 3.2GHz processor and move up from there.

You can increase the starting memory on your 370, taking it up to 1GB for no extra charge, or maximizing the system at 4GB for $1,270. Dell offers faster 533MHz DDR2 memory for a modest price increase (the baseline 512MB of memory can be swapped up for $20).

There are two different chassis options on the 370 line, a mini-tower and a desktop configuration. Both designs feature the gray and black Dell color scheme, and have audio jacks and two USB 2.0 ports on the front for easy access (there are six more on the rear of either style).

The Precision 370 includes the new PCI Express architecture that eliminates many performance bottlenecks on the I/O front, including graphics cards and other peripherals in the expansion slots. The default video card for the 370 is NVIDIA's Quadro NVS 280 with 64MB of dedicated video memory and dual VGA ports for connecting twin displays to your system. You can opt for an ATI FireGL V3100 with 128MB of memory for an additional $70. If you're going to be using the 370 for CAD or other graphically-intensive tasks, you can step up to a professional-level card such as the Quadro FX 1400 for $500 or the 256MB Quadro FX 3400 for $900.

Another interface built into the 370 motherboard is RAID capability. This lets you hook up twin drives for large amounts of high-speed storage or mirroring data for the ultimate in security and backups. The default hard drive setup is a single 40GB SATA 7,200rpm drive. You can double it up in a RAID configuration for $109 or step up to twin 80GB drives for $189. If you'll need huge amounts of storage, the 370 supports twin 400GB drives for almost a terabyte of space, which adds over a grand to the sticker price of your system.

The baseline optical drive is a 48X CD-ROM drive, although Dell provides a wide range of upgrades for different types of users. A 48X/32X/48X CD-RW drive costs $49 and lets you burn to blank CD-Rs and backup to CD-RW. For more expansive burning, you can opt for a 16X DVD+/-RW drive for $209, letting you write to both DVD+R and DVD-R disks at the fastest speeds currently available.

Dell doesn't include a monitor with the 370 line. Rather than spending $149 for a 17-inch CRT, however, you can get the 17-inch Dell UltraSharp LCD for $379, a great price for such a bright and large flat panel monitor.

As it's a business workstation, the 370 features a long list of management software, including Dell's excellent OpenManage Client Instrumentation. The 370 also includes chassis intrusion detection, SMART hard drive alerts, and remote boot and software upgrade capabilities. Dell partners with vendors such as Adobe and Ansys to ensure their workstations are optimized for the best possible performance on popular business applications.

Dell offers a strong three-year warranty on the 370 line, including next business day on-site service if something goes wrong that can't be fixed over the telephone. Windows XP Professional ships with the 370, and Dell offers several office software bundles, including Microsoft Office Basic Edition and Adobe Acrobat 6.0 for $125 or the Professional version of Office for $325.

The input devices included with the 370 are rather basic: a PS/2 keyboard with no shortcut keys and a USB ball mouse. You can upgrade to a USB hotkey keyboard for $29 or an optical mouse for the same price.

Gigabit Ethernet is integrated on the motherboard so you can connect to your high-speed office LAN easily. If you need dial-up capabilities, a modem will cost you $49. Dell also offers a wireless router and up to three client connections for $169 to hook your 370 up to a wireless network.

Although there are more scalable workstations from Dell and other manufacturers, the one-processor Dell Precision 370 line offers excellent performance supporting a large range of cutting-edge technologies. It's covered by a long and robust warranty and the starting price is one of the best available for a workstation line.

Pros: Supports PCI Express, RAID; great price on LCD
Cons: Some upgrades pricey