You get a 64MB GeForce card with the Dell machine... but for a grand?
And I thought, well, that's, I mean, it has been my experience with two recent Dell machines that they're no longer loaded with all this junk that you don't want.
On virtually every standard basis of comparison, the Dell machine ran far ahead of its rivals, with the 386S chip usually limping in third.
When pitted against a 20MHz 386, the Dell machine fought to a split decision in most cases.
One of the more interesting technologies used in the Dell machines is Dell Embedded Diagnostics, whose acronym, DED, is appropriate.
The obvious question is, what is the user giving up by choosing a Dimension by Dell machine instead of the mainline Dell brand, which costs substantially more?
"Dell is a super-solid company," said William H. Gates, chairman of the Microsoft Corporation, who uses a Dell machine (a desktop, not a notebook).
Dell's ads, which ran in the United States and Britain, suggested that Compaq's computers were grossly overpriced for a level of performance comparable to much cheaper Dell machines.
"It's classy looking," said Ms. Belford, proud owner of a new Dell machine.
The Dell machine sells for $1,995 and includes a color Super VGA monitor.