Kent Albert
- AMD Athlon Processor 2850e (1.8 GHz, 512 KB total cache)
- 3GB Memory (800 MHz DDR2 SODIMM); 320GB Hard Drive; 8X DVD+/-RW Disk Drive
- Integrated Ethernet; Integrated 2.1 Channel HD Audio; 4 USB ports; 2 eSATA ports; Connectors: headphone, mic, line-out, VGA, HDMI,
- Wi-Fi included with 802.11 b/g card; 4-in-1 media card reader;
- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit); Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200 Graphics
Product DescriptionThe Inspiron 400 is a low cost, ultra small form factor desktop that packs a punch. Using AMD processor technology, it has the ability to perform with ease for everyday use. Dell USB keyboard and optical mouse included. Included software: McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days; Microsoft® Works; Roxio Creator 10. 2 Cyberlink PowerDVD DX. . . . More >>
Comments
5 comments
February 8, 2010
I took a chance because all I needed was a basic machine and I liked the small footprint. I set it up and it wouldn’t connect to my wireless. I spent one hour 28 minutes on line with DELL tech support. I was bounced to three different techs. One had no experience with this computer and dropped me back into the que for another 20+ minutes. There I listened to repeated taped suggestions that I fix my problem by going on line for their web based tech support. The next eventually determined that either there is no wireless card or it isn’t being recognized. Duh. I saw that on device manager. He sent me to ‘Returns’ – another 20 plus minutes on hold- where they grudgingly took most of my info before they dropped my call. ARGH!!!!!Once upon a time,Dell was known for having the best tech support. That somehow didn’t work for their business model. I would sooner go back to a chisel and slate before I get another DELL. Hey Dell, if you are listening (and I KNOW you are not) improve your tech support!How are these people still in business?? Rating: 1 / 5
February 8, 2010
So far, the Zino has been great. It’s incredibly small and offers a lot for the money. Was precisely what I was looking for. I would have preferred to just get XP rather than Windows 7, but it has not been too terrible yet. Amazon did drop the price by $40 before mine even shipped. But that wasn’t the Zino’s fault. Rating: 4 / 5
February 8, 2010
I received my Zino 400 a few days ago and am impressed with its compatibility’s. I would highly recommend getting the ati radeon 4330 graphics card upgrade though. It has 512mb of ddr3 memory and windows 7 give it a score of 5. 9 on my Zino, pretty decent for a small form factor. I would do my homework and shop around for the best price and configuration. I was able to get mine for $349. with 3gb memory, the 4330 and a 1. 5 amd 3250E cpu. I thought the cpu might be underpowered but it’s not. Also a wireless lan for wifi and it was ready to go out of the box. I found my old wireless keyboard and mouse and hooked up the HDMI cable and turned on my tv. Make sure you tv is set for HDMI and the right screen size. If your not getting a full desktop with the Zino make sure your aspect ratio is 16:9 and not 4:3. The ati picked the right screen resolution. Also first thing uninstall mcAfee, it will slow your computer to a crawl, download Microsoft security essentials or avira, there both free and don’t slow down your system. It will try to install itself don’t do it. I have watched netflix movies, dvd’s and online tv and I am more than happy with the results. Dell does not provide driver cd’s anymore and mine came with only the installation cd. You can go to Dell data safe in your programs and make your own restore dvd’s. Also the Roxio software to not to great. Windows 7 can burn iso’s. IF YOU USE YOUR TV FOR SOUND YOU WILL NEED TO GO TO SOUND IN CONTROL PANEL AND MAKE ATI HDMI OUTPUT THE DEFAULT SOUND SOURCE OR YOU WILL GET NO SOUND FROM YOUR TV. I got mine here if the link is still good and it’s something to compare. [. . . ]This will also work nicely as a small desktop and I think it is a real bargain if you do your homework and get a good price. Some people have wondered about the new ion from nvidia. The few reviews I have read have not been that great. The ion 2 does not seen to be any better. I am glad I have the ATI grapgics in mine. I am not a biased of either graphics company,I just want the best for my money. Note:I did’nt make it very clear but my configuration is not the same as this one. I had a lower power cpu but it is a dual core. I also have the ati 4330 graphics card which is not an option here. The 2 most important items in this computer are the cpu and the video card. Most computers come with a adequate amount of memory, not like the old days. I have read the 3200 is adequate, it but I wanted a little more. Mine came with only 3gb ram. What I am trying to say is look for other configuration and prices. Windows 7 is a strange os, it will run fine on a low power cpu. A higher power cpu does not make a huge difference. A video card is kinda like a computer in a computer. It has a gpu and its own memory. Even the video cards that use system memory have a small amount of onborad memory If your going to but a computer for video a little better graphics card is worth the extra money if you can afford it. The ati radeon mobile hd4300 has 512mb on its own memory and does not make the low power cpu work so hard. I don’t see the ati graphics at Amazon and they should have it. Maybe I would look elsewhere. Rating: 5 / 5
February 8, 2010
I am using a basic unit with upgrade to 4 GB Ram (probably not necessary) in my AV system to stream in and play all the music on my main PC using Windows Media Player and iTunes through an HDMI connection to my AV receiver. The ZINO is very compact and aesthetically pleasing, runs cool and quiet, and works like a charm. I use a Logitech V450 Nano wireless mouse for remote control. The one con I see, which does not affect me, is the flimsy disk drive. So I would not use it on a regular basis for playing or recording disks.
Rating: 5 / 5
February 8, 2010
This is not a Tivo replacement. Although it has HD in the name, this Zino can’t play back HD content in full screen smoothly.
Not to mention Dell preloaded cr*pware. Dell dashboard and McAfee Internet Security TRIAL are performance killer.
Had the unit freeze on me a few times already. It could be cause by the beta Radeon HD3200 driver I installed. Since it can’t do what I wanted, I decide not bother to figure out what happened and decided to return it to Dell. Had to wait for 40+ minutes before I was able to reach a Return Specialist named Richard. Then he hang up on me while I was requesting for a return. Since Richard asked for my order number and my phone number, I know he has my number available. The fact he didn’t bother to call back made me believe that he hung up intentionally. Good tactic to block customer trying to return their PC. I then had to wait for another 35 minutes to be back to the same place and was able to complete my return with another rep.
Since Zino can’t perform as a Home Theater PC and the components will be obsolete by the time you receive the unit. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
However here is a way to get some money back from Dell. After I explained that I want to return the Zino. They offered me $10 to keep the unit. Then they up the offer to $20 and then $30. Good luck!
Rating: 1 / 5