Dell Inspiron I580-5108NBC Review: Sporting Intel's Newest Core I5 Processor

If you like to just use word processing, do some light edits on your media and surf the web, your perfect match is the Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC tower computer. ITunes and Photoshop are the kinds of applications you'll probably need, and the Intel Core i5 560 3.2 GHz processor will more than handle them. Multitasking isn't going to bring you a blue screen, either. The Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC also has a 3D graphics card that will do for casual gamers, and the price is still acceptable at $830. This is the computer for those who want something affordable and more functional than the average low grade computer but still don't want to empty their pockets for it.

Everything hasn't been upgraded from the cheaper models, but the things that haven't are those like the simple tower case Dell uses for its cheap models. The color of the Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC is a simple black, maybe not exciting enough to compete with similar Asus laptops. However, everyone isn't obsessed with the way their laptop looks, so you might be more interested in knowing that there are two USB ports, a dual-layered DVD burner, a couple of audio jacks, plus another optical drive.

Average computer users will be satisfied with the Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC's motherboard connections. It has an Nvidia GeForce 220GT discreet graphics card, but those who are hardcore gamers should upgrade to something more compatible with the latest games. Another hard drive and/or PCI card can be added as well. We're rather disappointed with the lack of eSATA and Firewire ports on the Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC, which you will find on the Gateway DX4831-01e, a less expensive laptop. In the rear you'll find connection ports for DVI, HDMI and VGA, and elsewhere are the USB, Ethernet and 7.1 analog audio jacks.

If the Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC didn't have HDMI ports, we probably wouldn't be too impressed with it. That aside, though, it really is alright. Especially impressive was the fact that, when we connected the Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC PC to an HDTV with HDMI, it played entire trailers from Apple.com without any glitches. Full screen HD from websites like Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and Vimeo were similarly impressive.

Having hard ware like a discreet graphics card, Core i5 processing, Intel's latest, plus a wireless network card make the Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC a very attractive option. It's definitely a go with its price tag and performance stats. All your favorite tasks will be completed without a hitch. The Dell Inspiron i580-5108NBC certainly merits a place in your home as the new living room computer.