SHARE

Client Systems Product of the Year — Dell OptiPlex SX260

It’s hard to beat high performance at a low price point. But when you factor in a tiny desktop footprint, you have a combination that once again proved unbeatable in Datamation’s Client Systems Product of the Year category. The space-saving Dell OptiPlex SX260 garnered almost half the reader votes, giving Dell top honors in the […]

Written By

Drew Robb

May 7, 2003

Datamation content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

It’s hard to beat high performance at a low price point. But when you factor in a tiny desktop footprint, you have a combination that once again proved unbeatable in Datamation’s Client Systems Product of the Year category. The space-saving Dell OptiPlex SX260 garnered almost half the reader votes, giving Dell top honors in the overall client systems poll for the second year running.

An ultra small, yet modular PC that delivers full desktop computing power, the SX260 is the smallest desktop PC ever built by Dell (less than eight pounds). It is best suited for organizations deploying systems in tight spaces such as computer labs, Point-of-Sale solutions, and cubicle environments.

Prices for the OptiPlex SX260 start at $599, but a typical configuration sells for $1,499. That includes important features such as an Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz processor, 256MB shared DDR-SDRAM, 20GB hard drive, removable 24X max CD-ROM, integrated Intel Pro/1000MT Gigabit Ethernet network adapter, integrated Intel Extreme graphics, 15″ UltraSharp SX260 flat panel solution, Windows XP Professional, warranty and maintenance. But many enterprise users won’t need all those top-of-the-line options.

“Dell Computer’s OptiPlex SX260 PC is priced right for enterprises eager to buy space-saving desktop computers,” said Gartner Group analyst Mark Margevicius. He says that Dell’s aggressive strategy in this market has renewed “interest in space-saving PCs and will ultimately drive the market.”

Second in the Client Systems category was the HP Compaq Tablet PC TC1000. With a street price of $1,800, the TC1000 is powered by a 1-GHz Transmeta processor, and includes innovative stylus-tap buttons for invoking an on-screen control panel.

Gartner Dataquest expects 2003 Tablet PC shipments to reach 425,000 units. However, that still only represents a tiny fragment of the potential market — a little more than 1% of mobile computer shipments. Eventually, though, according to analysts at IDC and Gartner, tablet PC’s could account for up to one-third of all mobile computers.
“We’re pretty bullish, but we believe it’s going to take time,” said Leslie Fiering, an analyst at Gartner Dataquest.

Other finalists in the Client Systems category were the Toshiba Portege 2000, the Gateway Profile 4 and the Hughes Network Systems DW 4020. As the latest in a long line of Toshiba ultra-portal laptops, the Portege remains popular among readers. Similarly, Gateway’s Profile 4 received praise for its space-saving design, as well as its many USB and FireWire ports, while the DW4020 merits an honorable mention as a robust terminal for two-way satellite broadband service.

Lack of Size Matters

The results in the Client Systems category from this year’s user survey clearly demonstrate the continuing importance of size, or rather the lack of it, in enterprise purchasing preferences. While this used to apply only to laptops, it has developed into a pivotal feature of the desktop marketplace.

And that’s a big reason why Dell OptiPlex SX260 grabbed this year’s award. At 8 pounds, it is 50% smaller by volume than the existing OptiPlex small-form factor chassis. It can be easily mounted horizontally or vertically underneath a desk, to a wall or behind the optional SX260 flat panel monitor. The chassis attaches flush to the back of the flat panel stand.

Gartner Group predicts that by 2005, 65% of all business PC shipments will be of small-footprint models like the SX260, which offer fewer ports than traditional PC models.
According to Margevicius, “Dell’s move into these legacy-reduced, small-form factor PCs for enterprises will galvanize its competitors.”

Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: Driving Greater Equality

FEATURE | By James Maguire,
December 16, 2020
AI vs. Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning

FEATURE | By Cynthia Harvey,
December 11, 2020
Huawei’s AI Update: Things Are Moving Faster Than We Think

FEATURE | By Rob Enderle,
December 04, 2020
Keeping Machine Learning Algorithms Honest in the ‘Ethics-First’ Era

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Guest Author,
November 18, 2020
Key Trends in Chatbots and RPA

FEATURE | By Guest Author,
November 10, 2020
Top 10 AIOps Companies

FEATURE | By Samuel Greengard,
November 05, 2020
What is Text Analysis?

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Guest Author,
November 02, 2020
How Intel’s Work With Autonomous Cars Could Redefine General Purpose AI

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Rob Enderle,
October 29, 2020
Dell Technologies World: Weaving Together Human And Machine Interaction For AI And Robotics

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Rob Enderle,
October 23, 2020
The Super Moderator, or How IBM Project Debater Could Save Social Media

FEATURE | By Rob Enderle,
October 16, 2020
Top 10 Chatbot Platforms

FEATURE | By Cynthia Harvey,
October 07, 2020
Finding a Career Path in AI

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Guest Author,
October 05, 2020
CIOs Discuss the Promise of AI and Data Science

FEATURE | By Guest Author,
September 25, 2020
Microsoft Is Building An AI Product That Could Predict The Future

FEATURE | By Rob Enderle,
September 25, 2020
Top 10 Machine Learning Companies 2021

FEATURE | By Cynthia Harvey,
September 22, 2020
NVIDIA and ARM: Massively Changing The AI Landscape

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Rob Enderle,
September 18, 2020
Continuous Intelligence: Expert Discussion [Video and Podcast]

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By James Maguire,
September 14, 2020
Artificial Intelligence: Governance and Ethics [Video]

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By James Maguire,
September 13, 2020
IBM Watson At The US Open: Showcasing The Power Of A Mature Enterprise-Class AI

FEATURE | By Rob Enderle,
September 11, 2020
Artificial Intelligence: Perception vs. Reality

FEATURE | By James Maguire,
September 09, 2020

SEE ALL
ARTICLES

Drew Robb

Drew Robb is a contributing writer for Datamation, Enterprise Storage Forum, eSecurity Planet, Channel Insider, and eWeek. He has been reporting on all areas of IT for more than 25 years. He has a degree from the University of Strathclyde UK (USUK), and lives in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.

Client Systems Product of the Year — Dell OptiPlex SX260

Drew Robb

Recommended for you...

Company

Categories

Client Systems Product of the Year — Dell OptiPlex SX260

RELATED NEWS AND ANALYSIS

Drew Robb

Recommended for you...

Company

Categories