The Dell Studio XPS is an powerful entry-level PC

Dell is taking advantage of the Core i7 release to build the Studio XPS, a powerful machine that costs around $1100 with a reasonable configuration. And by “reasonable”, here’s what we mean:

• Vista 64
• Core i7 2.66Ghz
• 6GB of RAM
• 500GB, 7200rpm hard disk
• ATI HD 3450

We told you that the 2.66Ghz Core i7 would be a very interesting baseline. Also, while this could be an “OK” gaming machine (with better graphics), At this price, it actually is a great main system for an “enthusiast” – not a gamer. By enthusiast, I mean someone who would use digital content like photos and media, but not really play the latest games. The ATI HD 3450 graphics processor is just too weak. For an extra $200, you can get an ATI HD 4850 that is much more suitable for gaming. The 6GB of RAM are definitely a great compromise. I have 8GB, and I hate to admit that I rarely use more than 6. Good call.