NEW YORK — Move over Intel , if only for a moment: It’s
AMD’s turn to power Dell computers.
Roughly four months after finally promising to include AMD processors in its computers, Dell today unveiled two
new desktops powered by AMD chips.
Dell Chairman Michael Dell introduced the Dimension E521 and C521 at a Dell
technology launch event here.
“More and more customers are asking for AMD-based products,” Dell said. “AMD
has demonstrated a great ability to deliver great technology that customers
want today and in the future.”
Dimension C521.
Source: Dell
The news is significant because top computer maker Dell for years had
refused to stray from using Intel chips in its desktops and notebooks,
citing a lack of customer demand.
Dell’s endorsement of AMD should provide
AMD a boost in its drive to unseat No. 1 chipmaker Intel.
The E521 and C521 machines are tailored to allow consumers to stream music
and watch movies. They also power office applications, such as e-mail, word
processing and spreadsheets, for small business users.
Because the computers are oriented toward delivering media and high-powered
graphics, the PCs come standard with Microsoft’s Windows XP Media Center. They are also Windows Vista-ready for that.
Dimension E521.
Source: Dell
Beginning this week, the E521 and C521 can ship with a customer’s choice of AMD Sempron, AMD Athlon 64 or AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core chips.
Both machines boast integrated graphics, and are easily upgradeable to
stronger graphics software packs.
“All of Dell’s new desktops have the ability to upgrade in graphics, which
is quite important as we anticipate Vista and increased focus on graphics
response,” Dell said.
The E521 is $329; the C521 is $359: both come with a one-year warranty and
will be available tomorrow.
XPS 210.
Source: Dell
The computer maker is hardly abandoning Intel in its PC making scheme. Dell
also announced the Dimension E520, which has most of the traits of the E521
but uses Intel Pentium D and Core 2 Duo processor options.
The E520 will sell for $719 beginning tomorrow and is Vista-ready.
Lastly, Dell introduced the XPS 210, which is a small desktop that runs
Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Pentium D processors.
The machine is a foot high and can be installed upright or horizontally on a
shelf. Its front panel slides back to reveal a DVD drive, two front USB
ports, optional media card reader, IEEE 1394 port and headphone/microphone
jacks.
The XPS 210 system is available now with a one-year limited XPS warranty and
prioritized service support starting at $1,190.
Dell’s introduction of the new Dimension entertainment and SMB desktops
capped a busy day during which company officials discussed other new computing
advancements.
Earlier, Dell CEO Kevin Rollins debuted
the company’s new OptiPlex 745, a machine that offers greater performance,
manageability and security while saving businesses almost $1 billion per
year on power costs.
