Dell Vostro 460 Is For Work, Not Play: Review

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But that doesn’t mean that the Vostro 460 is a computer that users should ignore. As mentioned, Dell’s desktop isn’t meant to be compared on the same level as some high-end consumer-focused computers; the Dell Vostro 460 is designed for basic day-to-day business applications, and that’s the market it caters to.

When evaluating the desktop under those conditions, it’s hard to find any complaints with the Vostro 460. The average company’s employee is surfing the web, using office-productivity solutions, checking email and performing other work-related tasks. In my testing of those tasks, the Vostro 460 performed exceptionally well. I witnessed no noticeable slowdown at any point as I performed some of the duties the average employee would do on the desktop.

One of the other nice things about the Vostro 460 is how quiet it is. I can envision this desktop running in offices, and even the person sitting next to it will not notice that it’s on. Though it emits a quiet hum, the chances of actually hearing it in a typical office are nil. Even in a quiet room, it’s hard to hear it unless one’s ear is right next to the tower.

I should also point out that thanks to Windows 7 Professional, Windows XP mode is available in the Vostro 460. In my testing, Windows XP mode worked beautifully. For companies that are still heavily invested in legacy products, getting a computer that’s capable of running Windows XP mode should be one of the first conditions before buying.

Dell’s Monitor

Included in the unit Dell sent was a 21.5-inch wide-screen monitor. The screen boasts a 1,920 by 1,080 resolution. The monitor can be easily rotated into portrait mode for those that prefer to use displays in that manner. In portrait mode, Dell’s monitor gets awfully tall. (It’s about twice as wide as it is tall when in landscape mode.) However, it proves highly useful.

The monitor comes with a few USB ports, as well. The tower and monitor combination means companies will have more USB ports than they’d expect. Most firms will likely be pleasantly surprised by that.

All in all, the monitor’s visual quality was quite good. After adjusting some of the screen’s settings, I was pleased with its performance. Employees who have a finite amount of desk space might take issue with the display because of how wide it is. It will take up a sizable amount of space on a desk. But if they can get past that, the monitor, which comes bundled with some configurations of the Vostro 460, seems like a good value.

Closing Comments

The Dell Vostro 460 version I tested is a rather interesting computer. On one hand, it lacks some of the things consumers are looking for today, including discrete graphics and a slick design, making it a non-starter in that market.

But what it lacks in consumer appeal, it makes up for in enterprise appeal. The computer is quiet, it can fit easily in an employee’s workspace, and its component configuration makes the desktop less capable of giving employees all the power that would provide heightened temptation to stray from the day’s business tasks. At a starting price of £319 (the version I tested costs around $1,200 (£745) with the monitor after savings), it offers a price tag with which many firms can live with.

Is the Vostro 460 perfect? No. But it’s a worthwhile choice for companies looking to put their employees to work.