Dell isn't what it used to be
A couple years ago, I was turned down for a tech position at a local school. They said they really liked me, but that I needed to learn more about hardware. Being one who listens to constructive criticism, I've spent my time since then working on my hardware skills.
When I got a new computer a few weeks ago, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn some new things. The plan was to buy a cheap system and then upgrade it myself. Looking over the Dell website, I found the Inspiron 530S, which is billed as being completely customizable and ready for upgrades. It was one of the least expensive models they offer, and it had the specs I needed, so I bought it.
The Inspiron 530S is not what it is advertised to be.
Seeing that the unit has an empty 3.5-inch bay, I decided to install a media card reader. Ordering this took roughly two hours of struggle with the outsourced Sales Department. Upon trying to install the drive, I noticed the strange set-up of the bay. It actually measured nearly four inches, causing the drive to rattle around inside, and none of the slots cut into the side lined up with the screws in the drive. Another hour and a half with Sales, and I ordered a set of brackets. When the brackets arrived, I discovered (and nearly wept) that they were 3.5 inch-to-5 inch brackets. Obviously, those would not fit.
Which left me wondering whether I even wanted to try Dell's Sales Department again. I was sorely disappointed, because I really wanted to learn how to install a serial ATA drive. It looked simple! So I called a friend over, who's been building his own systems for years now, and he inspected the bay.
We discovered, with no small amount of horror, that the cage cannot be removed. It is riveted into place, something we had never seen. The grooves are set up as such that no common bracket would work with it. Apparently, only a proprietary bracket would work, and Dell Sales had failed to send me that bracket. What's more, the outside of the chassis is riveted into place, making only the access panel and front bezel removable. It became obvious that Dell built this machine with the intention of preventing user upgrades.
This leaves me forced to return my parts to Dell, no doubt with a restocking fee, and I have to settle for an empty 3.5-inch bay. It sits there. It mocks me.
So consider this a fair warning. Do not buy a Dell with the expectation that you can easily customize it. You can install a PCI card, maybe a graphics card, and that's about it. I'm starting to think Dell no longer deserves the reputation it once had.
When I got a new computer a few weeks ago, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn some new things. The plan was to buy a cheap system and then upgrade it myself. Looking over the Dell website, I found the Inspiron 530S, which is billed as being completely customizable and ready for upgrades. It was one of the least expensive models they offer, and it had the specs I needed, so I bought it.
The Inspiron 530S is not what it is advertised to be.
Seeing that the unit has an empty 3.5-inch bay, I decided to install a media card reader. Ordering this took roughly two hours of struggle with the outsourced Sales Department. Upon trying to install the drive, I noticed the strange set-up of the bay. It actually measured nearly four inches, causing the drive to rattle around inside, and none of the slots cut into the side lined up with the screws in the drive. Another hour and a half with Sales, and I ordered a set of brackets. When the brackets arrived, I discovered (and nearly wept) that they were 3.5 inch-to-5 inch brackets. Obviously, those would not fit.
Which left me wondering whether I even wanted to try Dell's Sales Department again. I was sorely disappointed, because I really wanted to learn how to install a serial ATA drive. It looked simple! So I called a friend over, who's been building his own systems for years now, and he inspected the bay.
We discovered, with no small amount of horror, that the cage cannot be removed. It is riveted into place, something we had never seen. The grooves are set up as such that no common bracket would work with it. Apparently, only a proprietary bracket would work, and Dell Sales had failed to send me that bracket. What's more, the outside of the chassis is riveted into place, making only the access panel and front bezel removable. It became obvious that Dell built this machine with the intention of preventing user upgrades.
This leaves me forced to return my parts to Dell, no doubt with a restocking fee, and I have to settle for an empty 3.5-inch bay. It sits there. It mocks me.
So consider this a fair warning. Do not buy a Dell with the expectation that you can easily customize it. You can install a PCI card, maybe a graphics card, and that's about it. I'm starting to think Dell no longer deserves the reputation it once had.