Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #2987 in Personal Computers
- Brand: Dell
- Model: X8500-4211BK
- Released on: 2012-10-26
- Dimensions: 15.38" h x
20.94" w x
22.50" l,
- CPU: Core i7-3770 3.4 GHz
- Memory: 12GB DDR3 SDRAM
- Hard Disk: 2048GB
Features
- Intel Core i7 3770 3.4 GHz
- 12 GB DDR3
- 2 TB 7200 rpm Hard Drive
- Windows 8
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5
Dell XPS X8500-4211BK Desktop
Product Description
Powerful desktop featuring 3rd Gen Intel Core processors, high-performance graphics, and America's Best Support.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
77 of 77 people found the following review helpful.
By Phil Rosenbach
I purchased my last DELL from DELL in May of 2002. So at this time of publishing this review, I owned it for a decade. Hard to believe, isn't it? The reason I was able to keep it for so long is because it allowed me to expand upon it over the years. But finally, the time came when it wouldn't let me do any more, and so, I bought the XPS 8500-4211.The XPS 8500-4211 offers so much, it's like something from Star Trek which traveled back in time. This machine offers one of the fastest processors at the time of publishing. The 2T hard drive will hold more info that I can ever want to put on it. I personally transfer my files to a HD My Book drive for archiving, and incase there is a computer crash. And while I am not a gamer, I do have a few games that can be demanding on the processor and the graphics card, but these games work flawlessly. NOTE: Keep in mind that many fast passed games also require a monitor with a fast refresh rate, so all of these elements are needed for optimal viewing and appreciation.I LOVE USB, and the fact that this has both 2.0 and 3.0 USB makes me even more enamored with this machine, as there are plenty of them. 5 ports are 2.0, and 4 of them are 3.0. I don't know what I'll ever do with all of them, but once again, DELL is thinking forward by giving you more options then you'll presently need. And speaking of which, they also allow for an additional optical drive, ie, DVD or Blu-Ray, as well as a few internal expansion ports. Since this comes with a DVD RW drive, I could only imagine that adding a Blu-Ray drive would be necessary. When I got my last DELL, I never knew what I would do with these ports, yet over time, I used ALL of the expansion ports. Again, forward thinking by DELL to allow the owner to grow and expand on their machine as technology progresses.This unit also allows for further expansion of the RAM. It comes with 12 gig of DDR3, and some research shows that you can expand that to 24 gig. There is a "Special Edition" of this machine which will allow you to expand that to a total or 32 gig. Regardless, another means of expansion means a longer time to keep your investment.Also included are four slots at the top front of the machine, which accept 19 variation of data cards. On my previous computer, I had to add this in one of the expansion bays, which again shows how DELL allows people to grow with their systems, but now it's incorporated into this machine. And If your card is not compatible with this machine, you must be using equipment older than my previous computer.Here's the BIGGIE: It comes with Windows 8. Now, Windows 8 is a far cry from anything that any of us are used to. It's either going to be a historic leap forward, or a pariah to be shunned, but later revisited and ultimately perfected. I'm going to be optimistic and embrace it. But Windows 8, while it does work with a mouse, is optimized for TOUCH. So I suggest to you two options. 1: Get a good quality TOUCH responsive monitor. Seems great, and looks cool when you're showing it off to your friends, but ultimately, having to constantly reach forward to your screen to swipe back, forth, up and down, and everything else... well that's just unrealistic and counter intuitive. So I recommend, 2: The Logitech Touchpad. You can set it next to your mouse, or even use it to replace your mouse, depending on how many functions/buttons your mouse has. Since most of us are used to using a mouse, getting the Touchpad is much more natural, rather than reaching out and touching your screen for various options. In addition, it is FAR LESS EXPENSIVE, averaging $80.00, as opposed to a touch sensitive monitor which can be 4 or 5 times as much. I also have a more lengthy review on the Logitech Touchpad which you can read if interested.Going back to the keyboard and mouse, way back in 2005, I purchased a Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3000 Laser, which is a keyboard and mouse combo. And to be blunt, I friggin' love this combo set. My elation cannot be expressed in words when I discovered that this 7 YEAR OLD COMBO was compatible with my NEW computer and Windows 8. I don't mean to be mean, but AT BEST, the corded DELL keyboard and mouse that comes with this computer is (insert your choice of rude word(s)). So if you have a Logitech keyboard, and/or/mouse, be sure to check with their website to see if you can still use it. To reiterate, these are all connected wirelessly, as well as my modem, since the machine is already set up for that, but if you need to use the numerous USB ports and Ethernet port for your peripherals, then that can most certainly be done as well. Please know that I do NOT work for Logitech, but I am somewhat biased towards several of their products.And if you are thinking of upgrading your monitor, which is something I had to do considering how old my former EVERYTHING was, I have a review on the ASUS VE278Q. Short and sweet, it has a fast response time which works great with this graphics card in this computer, and looks great, on a functional level as well as an aesthetic level. But if you want more info, you can read my full review. Now back to the computer.PROS:Fast, efficient, and expandable. Perhaps THIS machine will last a decade...?CONS:This is a personal gripe, but the top of the unit has several ports for "easy access." I'm concerned that these might be a dust collector, and will cease to work over time unless they are plugged up like some would put safety plugs on electrical outlets. It would be nice if they included such plugs for this. If you are in a high dust area, or have your machine near a window where particulate matter may come in, you may want to cover these ports. 12-28-12 Addendum: I found out that Amazon does sell these plugs. They can be found if you search for "Cosmos USB anti-dust stopper" from their site.Since most of my software is old, I have to get the new versions. But realistically, this had to happen at some point.Since this comes with Windows 8, there are several new things to be learned. This isn't necessarily a con, but something to be aware of. You may not be able to simply turn this on, and do what you are used to. Fortunately, there are numerous videos on YouTube which can help you become familiar with this new OS.MY BOTTOM LINE: If you just want to surf the web, run one or two programs at a time and whatnot, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU. Save some money and get a less expensive computer, and possibly one that comes with Windows 7. But if you want something that will take a heavy burden and not give you any grief for it, as well as let you expand upon it by adding more options over time, then you DEFINITELY want this.I hope that this review was helpful to you. If so, please let me and Amazon know by clicking the YES button, and if you have any additional questions, feel free to ask. While I don't know much, I'll be happy to share with others what little I do know. If you did not find it helpful, please let me know why, and what I can do to improve upon this review as well as future ones. Thank you....If you would like a few Windows 8 tips, read on. Otherwise, my review of the Dell is concluded.* For those of us who use Internet Explorer... Firstly, you will have to import your "Favorites" from your previous computer to use them. Strangely, Windows 8 has Internet Explorer in two places, on the Start page, and on the Desktop, but these are NOT the entirely the same. While you can customize Internet Explorer on the Start Page, as well as on the Desktop, your Favorites Bar will not appear if you access Internet Explorer from the Start page. BUT, if you use Internet Explorer on the Desktop, they will be there. IS YOUR HEAD SPINNING YET? Mine was when I realized this. But, you can get around this inconvenience by pulling up Internet Explorer from the Desktop Programs Menu, and right click that to the Start page. Now you should have a new Internet Explorer Icon on the Start page, which when you click it, will have all the same settings as on the Desktop. Then delete the Internet Explorer App that came with Windows 8 so you don't have to deal with it anymore.Furthermore, many of the other "Apps" on the Start page work, or rather don't work, in a similar fashion. IE: Pull up Amazon from your web browser, and you will see what you're used to. Pull up Amazon from the Start Page and... well, it's a different story. Preferences, screen customization, and other useful tools and settings may not be displayed by these "Apps." I have found this to be true with Netflix, and YouTube as well. Perhaps later these Start screen "Apps" will mirror what you get when you log on to their main webpage from your browser, but for now, they can be more frustrating than useful. I suggest that for now, use your web browser with the custom settings and favorites which you have established, instead of certain "Apps" to maintain some sense of continuity from your previous OS.* For those of use who have any current version Norton with a subscription that is still active... Up front, I have to apologize that I can't give you all the steps to make this work, because they were too numerous, but if you have a current subscription to Norton, you can get a Windows 8 compatible download. I put in my disc, ran it, and it told me that the 2012 version of Internet Security was NOT compatible with Windows 8, which is understandable since Windows 8 wasn't released until later. Prompt after prompt came up to guide me through the process of downloading from their site a Windows 8 version, at no additional charge, and I can confirm that it does work. My point of this is, if you have an active Norton product, but it won't immediately work on your new Windows 8 system, don't just give up and buy a new version. If you have money to throw away, use this free tip instead, and then throw your money my way. Norton will work after you jump through a few hoops of fire.* For those of us who use Microsoft Office Professional 2010... Many customers who buy new computers that come with a new OS are rightfully concerned about backwards compatibility, especially since some older programs cost too dang much. Rest assured for those of you who use Microsoft Office Professional 2010, I personally installed it on my new machine, and there are no obvious compatibility issues. Many new icons appeared on the Start page after the install, which can be rearranged, hidden, or deleted, but most importantly is the fact that it does work. As far as other versions of Office, I'm sorry, but I cannot give you any information, since I do not have any practical first hand knowledge of them.If you don't use, or simply dislike any of these programs or products, please don't "boo" me, or lecture me on how you feel your software or hardware is better. These are my personal preferences, they work very well for me, and I'm just trying to help those who use them as well. Thank you.1-24-13 Up-date: AT&T 2WIRE 2701GH-B modem. I've used this modem for a bit over 4 years, and with the old computer it was fine. But recently, I have been having an increasing number of problems with staying connected wirelessly to this modem. After speaking to several AT&T technical assistants, and trying another AT&T 2WIRE 2701GH-B modem, it has come to light that these have compatibility problems with Windows 8. Besides that, but these modems are Wireless G, yet Wireless N is the current, faster standard, and Wireless N is the what this DELL operates on, though it is backwards compatible for Wireless G and B. DO YOURSELF A HUGE FAVOR, if you are currently having, or begin to have similar problems with staying connected wirelessly, don't bother with AT&T. Most of their technical assistants are useless regarding this matter. It took me at least five separate calls to them to finally getting around the true nature of this problem. The last person that I spoke with from AT&T's technical support said that they are going to phase out these modems because firmware upgrades are no longer possible, so the compatibility issue with Windows 8 will never be resolved, and as previously stated, they are slower than the current standard. Some AT&T tech support reps may even still try to sell you another 2Wire modem if you are having this connectivity problem, but don't buy another one, from them or anyone. The 2Wire is redundant, and AT&T charges $100.00 for them. You can easily find a more reliable wireless modem/router for $50.00 to $75.00 here on Amazon which will be faster than the 2WIRE.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful.
By Mom in Maine
Love the computer however check your configuration when you receive it. The description states 12gb of RAM, mine only had 8gb of RAM. (4x2gb modules installed). I notified Amazon C/S and without much hesitation they apologized and gave me a $30 credit; the approximate price of 4gb DDR3 RAM. My advice is just to verify the configuration when you receive the computer. I use Belarc Advisor, belarc.com
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful.
By FRP_LLC
I build lab test fixtures and prototypes for customers, so I was looking for a medium cost ($1000 - $2000) workstation plus test the parallel processing advantages of the NVIDIA Keplar GPU technology in their GTX models. For many projects, I need to utilize the PCIe expansion slots with 4 to 16 lanes so I can run various digitizer, FPGA or DSP cards. The DELL XPS 8500 family sounded like a good fit especially with the NVIDIA GPU and 3 expansion slots, but not much information about the PCIe slot sizes. The price of this machine is good, so I made an assumption they would at least have 4-lane sized card slots but turned out they were just 1-lane. I checked the comments on the Dell website and apparently I was not the only one to be disappointed especially for the serious gamers who need 16-32 lane slots for additional GPUs. One comment mentioned Dell had purchased the ALIENWARE company, so the limited PCIe slot capability may have been a marketing strategy to force the gamers on to that line of machine. Wish they had mentioned that was their intention and I would not have wasted time and money (return costs) to discover this marketing ploy. Anyways, Amazon quickly accepted my return and setup the UPS pickup so now I'm back to looking for an adequate machine for the business. I used to rely on DELL, so now I'm expanding into other brands that do not leave out the details.
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