Best Dell Computer Recommendations for Photo Editing, Gaming, and Web Browsing

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and opinions regarding Dell computers, particularly in the context of photo editing, gaming, and web browsing. Participants discuss various models, specifications, and personal preferences, while also mentioning other brands like HP and Mac.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses a need for a new Dell computer that can handle photos, iTunes, Pampered Chef software, games, and web surfing, considering the Inspiron series.
  • Another participant shares their positive experience with an HP Pavilion Elite 180, emphasizing its memory and speed, although they do not recommend Dell.
  • Several users mention that most current computers should meet the needs outlined, suggesting a minimum of 3GB RAM and a 500GB hard drive for longevity.
  • One participant highlights their satisfaction with an HP Pavilion Desktop, noting its good memory and performance, while acknowledging that it may not suit everyone.
  • Another participant recounts negative experiences with HP computers, suggesting that Dell computers at their workplace have been reliable.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of external hard drives for data safety and performance, sharing their own experience of using one to manage files efficiently.
  • Another participant mentions their Dell XPS410, praising its reliability and performance for various tasks, including web development and photo manipulation.
  • One participant shares their recent purchase of an HP Pavilion laptop, noting their satisfaction with the keyboard and additional features like a wireless printer.
  • Another participant discusses their switch to a Mac after multiple issues with PCs, describing it as the best decision they made regarding computers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the reliability and performance of Dell versus HP computers, with some expressing strong preferences for one brand over the other. No clear consensus emerges on the best choice for a new computer.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences based on their individual needs and past interactions with various computer brands.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering a new computer for business and personal use may find the shared experiences and opinions relevant to their decision-making process.

Careyann
Careyann
Gold Member
Messages
183
Does anybody have any recommendations for a new Dell computer? We get a great discount and my computer is just OLD! I really should invest in a new one. It needs to be able to handle my photos, Itunes, Pampered chef software and games plus plenty of web surfing!
I'm looking at the Inspirion series and my first thought is a desk top since I hate the keyboards on laptops, unless there is a laptop that would be good? Any advice appreciated!
 
I am an HP person and I just hooked up a new HP Pavillion Elite 180 with lots of memory and speed. Yes, I paid dearly for it...but I can tell you it is the best investment I have ever made in a computer. I had to contact HP to hook up my printer (it needed a driver download from the website) and was able to chat online with reps from the company live. No waiting and I did not have to hear a foreign voice telling me his name was "Steve"!!

I would just recommend getting lot of memory (I got 12 GB). I am in heaven!!! I have lots of files and pictures. Not into gaming but I am sure it would hold it all.
 
Just about anything you get now will run the things you are asking to run. I would say not to get anything less than 3GB of RAM if you want it to last a few years (I would say 4GB is better), and if you take a lot of pictures, a 500GB harddrive. The only thing that you might have a problem running the stuff you want is a netbook, and if you don't like laptop keyboards, you would -hate- a netbook keyboard. As far as a video card and processor speed, unless you're gaming or other high techy type things, you won't really notice the difference.

If there's an extended warranty, get it. If you never use it, yeah, it stinks, but if the time comes where you need it, and you're paying double to send it in, you're going to be kicking yourself in the bum for not getting it.
 
I have an HP Pavilion Desktop with a HUGE screen which I love. (It says HP 2159m in the corner of the screen..not sure if that helps).
Here's the info I get when I look at our system properties.
HP Model: a6813w
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual E2220 @ 2.4 GHz
Memory: 5.0 GB RAM
System: 64-bit Operating Sytem.

Sorry if any of that is confusing, but I HIGHLY recommend this computer. Although just because it suits me well doesn't mean it will suit everyone as well.

It has a good memory and operating system to get what I want done and it's not S..L..O..W..... like some computers I've dealt with.
 
I used to work for 11yrs for a big box retailer - #1 computer returned was HP. I have had 2 HP's die early on me and my best friend just had a HUGE fiasco with them in Alaska. She got this mega computer (she was nuts) that did everything but do the computer work for her and it was full of problems.

Sorry I know the question was not about HP - I have not had a Dell but all of our work computers are Dell and we rarely have any problems. I DO recommend that you always research on your own (not just personal input) before you buy. I'm a Consumer Reports junkie as well as type in "Dell laptop/desktop whichever one) reviews" You'll find a ton.

I have a gateway laptop and a dead HP desktop upstairs. I've needed a new keyboard and CD rom on my gateway but it was under warranty.

Large HD's are good but one thing no one mentioned - get yourself an external back up. Those large HD's do you no good when they crash and you didn't have a backup.

Best of luck!
 
Yup, I was gonna say get an external hard drive. I got one and put my pics/music directly onto it so #1 it's safe and #2 it doesn't slow down my laptop.
 
leslieprichett said:
Yup, I was gonna say get an external hard drive. I got one and put my pics/music directly onto it so #1 it's safe and #2 it doesn't slow down my laptop.
Click to expand...

Ditto! (and my gazillion PC audio's d/l'd into itunes) :D
 
I have a Dell XPS410. It is about 4 yrs old now but I have had zero problems with it. To be fair, I work on computers for a living, PC is just my passion...so my computers tend to last forever. We have HP's at work and they are good too. I wouldn't give me Dell up for anything.
Invest as much as you can into memory and CPU. A big hard drive is also a must, most come with SATA hard drives now, and you can get lg capacity pretty cheap. If you would liek some advice on more specific models let me know. You can email me at [email protected]. My XPS410 does iTunes, movies, Second Life (although I bought it a video card for that). More importantly it does all of my web development and Programming work as well as photo manipulation. Those can be pretty labor intensive for a CPU but it works like a charm. This is my second Dell. My first had XP on it and was still in perfect working order having never had a single issue. My Dad uses it now. It was a Dimension 2350.
 
the Pc Pavillion rocks my husband (a computer man) says! We had to laugh about Ann's comment about "Steve". That's the ongoing joke we have at our house. We all know it's Akmed, not Steve.
 
After one problem after another with several PC's - I finally got a MAC. Best decision I ever made about a computer.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Well, I bit the bullet and bought a computer on Friday night at Best Buy. I ended up with an HP Pavillion, it's a big one, lots of memory and hard drive space, it's also a laptop! 17 in screen! I know, I said I hated the keyboards but I went around to each one there and tried typing. This one had the full size keyboard with the number pad, a must for me. The keys are closer to what a keyboard was like so I like it. I can actually use it and it doesn't bother me! We were there for like 2 hours! I also ended up buying an HP wireless printer, I'm almost more excited about that purchase than the computer! In comparing printer ink from what I had to this one, my old one could do 200 pages in black & 160 color, this one can do 800 in black and 300 on each color cartridge! Hopefully that will save me some money because, it seemed like I was always buying new printer ribbon for that thing! Plus the wireless thing is just cool!! I still have to use my old one for a while since I had just changed ribbon and bought one other set! I should be pretty set up now!!!
Only thing is and maybe somebody here knows. Itunes, my old computer seems to have a virus on itunes because all the sudden it wouldn't let me in there anymore. I setup a new itunes on the new computer but am afraid to plus my ipod in, will it get rid of the things on it? I know it will probably transfer purchases but I have a lot of regular CD's on there, I'd hate to lose them all and have to start over. I have also bought 2 movies and those were not on my ipod since they took up so much room, is there a way to get those on my new computer?
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Dell computers for photo editing?

For photo editing, the Dell XPS 15 is highly recommended due to its powerful Intel Core i7 processor, dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card, and a stunning 4K OLED display that offers excellent color accuracy. Additionally, the Dell Precision series, particularly the Precision 5550, is also a great choice for professionals needing robust performance and high-resolution displays.

Which Dell laptops are best for gaming?

The Dell Alienware series, especially the Alienware m15 R6, is one of the best options for gaming. It features high-performance Intel Core i7 or i9 processors, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series graphics, and customizable RGB lighting. Another solid choice is the Dell G5 15, which offers a more budget-friendly option while still delivering good gaming performance with its GTX or RTX graphics options.

What Dell computers are suitable for web browsing?

For web browsing, the Dell Inspiron 14 or 15 series laptops are excellent choices. They are lightweight, portable, and equipped with Intel Core i3 or i5 processors, which are sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and working on documents. The Dell Chromebook series is also a great option for those who primarily use web-based applications.

How much RAM do I need for photo editing on a Dell computer?

For photo editing, it's recommended to have at least 16GB of RAM. This allows for smoother multitasking and better performance when using resource-intensive software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. If you're working with larger files or performing heavy editing tasks, consider upgrading to 32GB of RAM for optimal performance.

What graphics card should I look for in a Dell computer for gaming?

For gaming, look for a Dell computer with at least an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti or an RTX 2060 graphics card. These options provide good performance for most modern games at high settings. For more demanding games or future-proofing your system, consider higher-end options like the RTX 3070 or RTX 3080.

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