Raw Computing Power In A Compact Package
Looking for a new, POWERFUL desktop computer? This Dell XPS 8700 has all of the latest toys with the ultimate in performance – and we can show you how to buy Dell computers at 20% off!
When we buy a PC we buy one that will last a long time. If you don’t have money to throw away every couple of years on another crappy PC then buy quality – it does NOT have to cost that much more.
IF, you know how to get the best price!
Our desktop PC’s last 5 years or more, and that’s typically without upgrades – upgrading a PC can extend that life even more.
Why You Want Your PC To Last
Making your PC last is not JUST about saving money, though that’s important to us, our friends and our clients.
It’s also about the HASSLE of moving to a new computer, often with a new operating system. It can set you back weeks of full productivity, and you may even lose the ability to run one of your favorite or key software programs besides.
If you are hiring someone else to make the transition for you, that hassle is not just time but even more money.
Why We Bought A Dell XPS 8700
The Dell XPS 8700 has the latest features we wanted, like i7 core Intel processor, we could get LOTS of RAM (8 – 24GB, we chose the 24GB for very little extra), USB 3.0, bluetooth, WiFi & Gigabit networking, even mSATA for caching of the 2TB hard drive (running 7200 rpm, like it should).
We are actually going to swap out the 32GB SSD for a 480 mSATA SSD and run entirely on SSD like we have been doing for years – ultimate SPEED!
With a 460watt power supply, you should be able to have extra hard drives internally if you want to also.
What It Does Not Have That We Wished It Did
One thing missing – to us – is a firewire port. Many cameras offload data via firewire and have not all been thrown out and replaced!
Another nice feature would be external SATA for fast data transfers to devices without USB 3.0.
In the pic at right you will see an onboard HDMI port that is disabled and plugged with a Display Port video that is available.
The “discrete” video card is an NVIDIA GeForce GT 635 with DVI-I, HDMI and VGA ports.
Why Windows 8.1?
This PC came configured with Windows 8.0, and a free upgrade from the store (3.2 GB download!) got us to 8.1.
Windows 8 sucks badly with the tile interface, but we’ll show you in a video how to get the start menu back with a free add-on.
Windows 7 is pretty solid, and if you want to get that instead, no one here will hold that against you. We need to get up to speed on Windows 8 because that’s what so many people are getting on their new computers and will try to have some helpful videos.
Also, Windows 8 under the hood does have some good things going for it and we want to be taking advantage of those.
Dell XPS Review Video
Here is a quick video showing the outside and inside of the Dell XPS 8700
How To Save 20% Buying A Dell PC
In days past, one could often configure a PC to buy on Dell.com and then call up a real person at Dell and connive a much better deal.
With this particular purchase, calling them did nothing – in fact, the guy I got on the phone was a jerk.
And the unit came with Free Shipping anyway, so I wasn’t trying to get that.
After striking out on the phone, though, I decided to try the chat box at outlet.Dell.com where I was buying the computer.
Pay Dirt!
The guy I chatted with offered me 20% off, still free shipping and all I had to do was let him email me an identical configuration with a link to buy that expired in about 90 minutes.
Done!
Saved 20% off of a $979 computer which equates to OVER $208 including the sales tax.
Sweet.
I called the dell outlet and spoke to Joey. He had one of those outlet model like yours but said it had a scratch on the case. We negotiated a price of 299.00. I am very pleased with the price and performance and I cannot see any scratches? In fact it was sealed in the box and in the plastic bags.
That’s an awesome price. Scratches welcome!
Great review. got one off the outlet and found your site after.
Hey Roger. Great video. I’m in the process of buying a 8700 from dell.You said to go on the chat box that appears on the right hand side of the screen?The one I’m looking at is the one 12GB of memory. Today I look at the price and it went up.Can I still negotiate the to my favor? Also would it be easy for me to get the extra memory and install it myself? Let me know thanks.
Vincent, you can always TRY to negotiate…and I encourage it. ASK!
When it comes to RAM & DELL it’s almost always cheaper to have them install it. But if you find a better deal from Crucial (guaranteed compatible) or elsewhere, just remember to plan on not using any ram in the machine. Because, if you only get 4GB you might find 4×1 and all slots filled. AND, it’s good to have the ram be identical to the other ram in the box, so price accordingly!
Hope that helps.
Roger.
Thanks Roger!
I went to the Dell Outlet site and bought the same computer that you use in your video. I wasn’t able to get 20% from the agent, but I did get 15% which I feel pretty good about. I really appreciate your tip and look forward to other suggestions regarding the 8700.
Do you have any monitor recommendations for this setup? Are you using a “touch” screen?
Thanks again,
Terry
No touch screen, I have 2 of these hooked to it:
ASUS PA248Q 24-Inch LED-Lit IPS Professional Graphics Monitor
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DWH00K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008DWH00K&linkCode=as2&tag=pcroger-20&linkId=IVCM43E7EREGBBHY
See also:
https://pcroger.com/msata-ssd-upgrade-dell-xps-8700-speed-pc-easily/
Glad you saved some moola!
Roger – Enjoyed your review and also the video about upgrading to the SSD. My question: I bought the Dell 8700 with their offered 256GB SSD and the 2TB 7,200 rpm HD running Windows 8.1. In looking at my system, it appears that my OS is on the SSD as the C: drive. The 2TB HD is the D: drive and is labeled Data. However, there were no files on it. My goal was to have all the OS and programs on the SSD and my data (My Docs, Pictures, etc.) on the HD. In speaking with Dell, the tech I spoke with did not seem to think mine was set up that way and they are sending my a media disk to reinstall my OS. Does my description to you sound like I need to do the reinstall or does it sound like I am already set up? I did change the location of “Documents” from C: to D:\Data\Documents; pictures, etc.. Thanks!
George
Thanks for the awesome tip! I am shopping for a dell xps 8700 i5 and I need to keep it in budget $500-699
Any tips to get more epic deals?
And does the Microsoft store do the same thing?
Hi, Roger,
My video card needs replacing on my Dell XPS 8700. Can I expect an uncertified Dell tech person to come to my home to be able to successfully accomplish this without causing other problems? (I have know this tech person for years and in the past, did fine for various Apple/PCs. ) Does it have to specifically be a Dell par to work properly?
Thank you,
Kat
I have never had any trouble with Dell techs replacing components. But any compatible video card should be fine; LOTS of people upgrade the card in their 8700 (mostly gamers).
The biggest challenge to replacing a video card is usually getting updated, non-buggy drivers installed!
Roger
I’ve been searching reviews for a good all around desktop for about a week. I came across your Youtube video on the Dell XPS 8700 and thought it to be one of the most straighforward, informative, and help rundowns out there. So I followed the link to your site, where I also found a wealth of useful info. I did try outlet.dell.com for a couple of days, as you suggested, but had no luck in locating a configuration that suited me. Finally, on the Walmart.com site, I came across a discrepancy between the top and bottom descriptions of an 8700, so I contacted a representative to verify what was actually being sold. See below:
NOTE: The detailed description differs from the upper blurb. According to the Walmart rep I chatted with online, the blurb was a mistake on their part, and the description below is the true configuration. He also said I could purchase this for the price already listed.
================================ Top Blurb:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/36883811?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227025232957&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42971654672&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=81463971152&veh=sem
Dell Black XPS 8700 Desktop PC with Intel Core i5-4460 Processor, 12GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive and Windows 8.1 (Monitor Not Included)
$836.44
================================ Detail Specs:
The black Dell XPS 8700 Desktop PC has everything you need to compute. Microsoft Windows 8.1 lets you complete any task.
Eligible for free Windows 10 Upgrade
CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme GXi2400W with Desktop PC:
Key Features and Benefits:
Intel Core i7-5775C processor
3.30GHz (up to 3.70GHz via Turbo boost), 6MB L3 Cache
16GB DDR3 SDRAM system memory (expandable to 32GB)
Gives you the power to handle most power-hungry applications and tons of multimedia work
240GB solid state drive + 2TB hard drive
Store 160,000 photos, 68,000 songs or 126 hours of HD video and more
24x DVD+/-RW Dual-Layer SuperMulti drive
Watch movies and read and write CDs and DVDs in multiple formats
10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet
Connect to a broadband modem with wired Ethernet
NVIDIA GTX 970 Graphics
With 4GB dedicated video memory
Additional Features:
6 x USB 3.0 ports, 2 x USB 2.0 ports, 6 x audio jacks, 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x DVI port, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x PS/2 port
2 x PCI slots, 2 x PCI Express (x1) slots, 2 x PCI Express (x16) slots, 2 x external 5.25″ bays, 3 x internal 3.5″ bays, 2 x internal 2.5″ bays
32 lbs, 19.9″ x 18.5″ x 8.2″
Software:
Genuine Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit Edition
Backup and Restore options built into Windows allow you to create safety copies of your most important personal files, so you’re always prepared for the worst
Support and Warranty:
1-year limited warranty
Restore discs are not included (unless specified by supplier). We recommend you use the installed software to create your own restore and backup DVD the first week you use the computer.
What’s In The Box:
Power cord
CyberPowerPC USB keyboard
CyperPowerPC USB mouse
Quick Start Guide
================================
My questions are these:
1) If what arrives is actually what is described, does this seem to you like a good deal, or am I missing something?
2) What if any issues should I look for when testing this machine? (I have two weeks–15 days–to return it for a refund.)
3) Apparently, it does not seem to come with bluetooth or wireless capability, which is no big deal for me at this time. However, if I decide in the future that I really want these things, how much cost and trouble would it be to get them for this computer?
4) And lastly, as you see, it comes with Windows 8.1, which I can upgrade to Windows 10 for free. But I really want Windows 7 (any version), and I don’t know if the downgrade to 7 option will apply in this case. Either way, ideally I’d also like a system 7 installation disk. Any suggestions on where to look for the best deal on that?
================================
Anyway, thanks much for whatever suggestions you can offer. And thank you for your online advice in general: I do appreciate the service you provide to computer users (and to the occasional, reluctant, and often floundering “household tech guy” like myself). Take care,
Dan
Dan,
Sorry for the delay, I was traveling.
It seems like a pretty good deal.
there are a variety of system diagnostic tests you could run, but usually just installing all the software you need to use and getting everything configured is test enough. Make sure it does what you need it to do – which it should.
You can install a wireless card in an expansion slot, not sure about bluetooth. Google it and see; likely not a big deal.
Make sure to get all the Win7 drivers off of Dell’s website first to make sure they are available. Certainly should be.
Check out downgrade rights here: https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=usHzaVaLCL2