Dell Inspiron 660 Review
The Dell Inspiron 660 delivers solid performance and comes with the new Windows 8 operating system. This computer boasts all the fundamental features consumers can expect from a budget desktop: an Intel Core i3 processor, a 1TB hard drive, and 6GB of RAM, plus four USB 3.0 ports where most competitors have two.
Dell's Inspiron desktops have long been popular with users, and the Inspiron 660 looks like another good, affordable model in the line. An Inspiron 660 review at About.com points out that, like any budget desktop, this one isn't suited to 3D gaming because of its integrated graphics, but it offers solid performance overall and, according to this reviewer, outperforms budget PCs with AMD processors. Several Inspiron 660 reviews at Best Buy come from consumers buying this desktop to replace an old, reliable Dell computer that had lasted for five years, seven years, or even nine years.
The Dell Inspiron 660 is based on a second-generation Intel Core i3-2130 processor (3.4 GHz) and comes with Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system. Most of the specs are typical for a PC in this price range, including 6 gigabytes of RAM, 1 terabyte (about 1,000 GB) of storage on the hard drive, Intel HD integrated graphics, and a CD/DVD burner. One standout feature is the computer's four USB 3.0 ports -- a generous number for such a cheap system. Many competitors have only two and plenty don't have any. A few Inspiron 660 reviews gripe that Dell put these faster ports on the back of the tower, where they're less accessible. The Dell Inspiron 660 supports 802.11b/g/n wireless connections and has a gigabit Ethernet connection. It's also equipped with an HDMI port and an 8-in-1 media card reader. Aesthetically minded buyers may appreciate having a choice of five colors amid all the black boxes out there.
The four USB 3.0 ports are a strong point in this system's favor for consumers who use high-speed peripherals such as external hard drives. Like most budget PCs with integrated graphics, the Dell Inspiron 660 is pretty limited when it comes to gaming, but its performance should be plenty fast enough for many home users.
