dell 400sc now at 324 after MIR

[dayg]

I just ordered 15 of these babies last night for our office, using it as workstations. Each cost about $567 with tax, delivery, and 3 years next day warranty.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: dayg
I just ordered 15 of these babies last night for our office, using it as workstations. Each cost about $567 with tax, delivery, and 3 years next day warranty.

Good thinking.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: KenSr
I have two of the 400SC's, and IMO they are great machines.
The main fault that they have is the ugly front on the other wise great case. I think the case is the same as the 8300 except a different front.

Ken

I totally agree about the front of the 400SC case being ugly. The PE700 is so much better looking, for example. Even the D8300/8400 is a great deal better looking, but the case is alright otherwise.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: KenSr
I have two of the 400SC's, and IMO they are great machines.
The main fault that they have is the ugly front on the other wise great case. I think the case is the same as the 8300 except a different front.

Ken

Forgive me, I am only familiar with the Dimension 4550 and 4600 cases.

Do you know how the 400SC's case differs from the 4600?

 

[gpgofast]

The 400SC has a clamshell designed case, similar to the 8300 series desk top. It has 4 PCI slots instead of the 4600's 3 PCI, 400SC has no "useable" front USB or audio ports(they are hidden). Mini tower VS. Mid Tower in the 400SC.

Here are some links to Dell's pic's of the 4600.

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_4600?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=viewstab#tabtop



Link to Dell's pic's of the 400SC

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/pedge_400sc?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~tab=viewstab#tabtop

 

[RossMAN]

gpgofast - Thanks for all the helpful information you have dispensed in this thread, it is highly appreciated

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: KenSr
I have two of the 400SC's, and IMO they are great machines.
The main fault that they have is the ugly front on the other wise great case. I think the case is the same as the 8300 except a different front.

Ken

Forgive me, I am only familiar with the Dimension 4550 and 4600 cases.

Do you know how the 400SC's case differs from the 4600?

Not certain "ugly" is the adjective I would use. I think "plain" describes it a bit better. Simple. Even sleek? Personally, I would describe in with the term "simple elegance". Of course, I find a number of the more popular case designs of today to be gaudy and complete overkill - perhaps my age is showing in that regard. Regardless, there are a few pictures in the gallery on the FAQ site mentioned above.

Addressing the differences (from memory) between the cases:

1. 400SC case is extremely solid. Non-plastic (not certain of the material, could be a thick alumunium, or a composite metal) exterior. Nice black finish. Will not have to be concerned with cracking or chipping with the 400SC exterior. Not a terribly distinct difference in weight between the two, although perhaps the 4600 is a bit lighter (I could be certain of this. Just a supposition).

2. Clamshell design, as with both the 4600 and 400SC. The difference have personally found is the 400SC clamshell actually opens and closes more easily than the 4600. Also stays open, if working horizontally (love when the 4600 cases decide - at random - to close on one's hand). Both cases make use of the lovely green plastic drive rails. Do believe the 4600 comes with two extra sets of each of the the 5.25" and 3.5" rails, while the 400SC comes with one set of each - not completely certain of this, however (my memory is failing as I grow old-er).

3. The power supply (always think of this as part of the case design), as least in my own experience, in the 400SC is of extremely high quality. Standard, fully ATX compliant design and interface. Cannot recall offhand if the 4600 default power supply makes use of a standard ATX connector. In the past, Dell has used proprietary power supplies and connectors. Know for certain this is not the case with the 400SC (perhaps the knowledgable 4600 users can offer experience regarding the supply).

4. The cooling of the 400SC is highly efficient, and - as mentioned by a number of other users - extremely quiet. Cooling duct on the processor, like the 4600. As one might guess, being that the 400SC is a server grade machine, it is thus designed and built to run quietly 24/7. High quality aluminum heat sink (believe some of the higher GHz processors come standard with a very nice heat pipe cooling instead). Have found the fans used in the 400SC (both the power supply fan, and the case fan) are near silent, as opposed to some of the lower quality fans in the 4600. Those could easily be replaced in the 4600 though, of course, or corrected through software/firmware.

Edit: Was sidetracked while composing the above, and did not see gpgofast's response prior. My apologies.

 

[imported_motodude]

now 349 after rebate.

 

[bastula]

Now the deal is gone. It's 249 for a Celeron 2.4 with 256 MB with 40 GB hd. I think you can get a free Palm Zire 21 with it. I wonder if it will get better before the end of the month.