Dell Inspiron i620-228NBK

Dell Inspiron i620-228NBK

Most computer-savvy people are into their third, fourth, or fifth generation of home PC, and many of them still like the tower form factor for its easy expandability and economical upgradability. The Dell Inspiron i620-228NBK ($479.99 list at Best Buy) is an excellent replacement for that old PC that's way to slow to use these days. It's got the multicore processor that's a must, plus 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi so you don't have to put it in the same room as your cable modem. This Dell has the power to out-muscle systems that cost over a hundred dollars more, and that's a lot for this price range. Basically, this is one of the best desktop computers you can get for under $500. The Dell Inspiron i620-228NBK won't win any beauty contests. About its most defining characteristic is its blandness: It's pretty much a plain-looking black metal tower, which means it will work just about anywhere, but there are a few embellishments for design's sake. The top of the system has an indented tray so you can rest cameras, smartphones, or external hard drives and reasonably expect them to stay there. The system doesn't have any top-mounted USB ports, which are present on competitors like the Gateway DX4860-UB21P ($599.99 list, 3.5 stars).