Dell Dimension E521

110 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
price (39)
usability (29)
reliability (11)
design (9)
size (8)

Negative

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 110 reviews of Dell Dimension E521. The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other Desktops for all reviews. Views about the design and size are on the whole positive. The reliability and usability are also appreciated.

price, usability, reliability, size, design

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Desktops the Dell Dimension E521 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 87/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 110 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Showing 89 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 15 of 89 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (21)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Dell Dimension E521

alaTest has collected and analyzed 5 user reviews of Dell Dimension E521 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Desktops on Amazon.com. People really like the price and usability.

reliability, usability, price

100% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Rich Brown (cnet.com)

Dell Dimension E521 review: Dell Dimension E521

Fast dual-core AMD CPU lends bang for the buck; Vista runs with no hitches; roomy 320GB hard drive will please digital media archivists.

Weak graphics card is fast enough for Vista, but that's about it, and there's no faster option available with this model.

Dell's Dimension E521 doesn't have many bells and whistles, but a powerful dual-core AMD processor lends it unexpected performance and strong bang for the buck. Its speed, Vista Home Premium's Media Center functions, and multiple storage options make...

Jan, 2007

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Expert review by : Joel Santo Domingo (pcmag.com)

Dell Dimension E521 (Vista)

The Dell Dimension E521 is a solid, mainstream dual-core Vista machine that's a couple steps up in performance and price from a bargain-basement desktop.

2GB of system memory for a smooth Vista transition. Vista Aero/Premium. Multimedia keyboard. Easy-to-service chassis. Quiet.

No Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Discrete graphics unsuitable for high-end gaming. Only 30-day security software subscription.

More Desktop Reviews:

Jan, 2007

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Richard Baguley (pcworld.com)

Dell Dimension E521

Dell's Dimension E521 doesn't set the field afire with its performance or looks. However, at $489 (as of November 6, 2006), including a 17-inch LCD monitor, this system is powerful enough to handle basic computing tasks.

Good feature set for a sub-$500 system ; Includes 17-inch LCD screen

Performance is limited ; Processor does poorly with multitasking

Cheap PC came bundled with a good 17-inch LCD monitor, but its low performance matches its low price.

Nov, 2006

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Expert review by (pcmag.com)

Dell Dimension E521

The Dimension E521 comes in Dell's standard mid-tower BTX case, with room for a couple of hard drives, a couple of optical drives, expansion cards, and memory. It's got the standard Dell level of tool-less upgradeability: you don't need to turn a...

2GB of system memory for a smooth Vista transition. Vista Aero/Premium. Multimedia keyboard. Easy-to-service chassis. Quiet

No Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Discrete graphics unsuitable for high-end gaming. Only 30-day security software subscription

Our first mainstream Vista desktop, the Dell Dimension E521 shows the quintessential entry point for Windows Vista Home Premium. Dual-core CPU, discrete graphics, 2GB of memory and a large, fast hard drive equal a good Vista experience. Anything less,...

Partner Source

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Expert review by : tech.co.uk staff (techradar.com)

Dell Dimension E521 review

AMD based media PC

Good looks ; Quiet

Average monitor ; Middle-of-the-road graphics

Quiet, stylish all-rounder

Jan, 2007

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Rich Brown (cnet.com.au)

Dell Dimension E521

The E521 is a highly versatile system that can be configured to suit the needs of budget, mid-range and high-end multimedia users.

Fast dual-core AMD CPU lends bang for the buck ; Vista runs with no hitches ; Roomy 320GB hard drive will please digital media archivists

Weak graphics card is fast enough for Vista, but that's about it ; No faster graphics option available

Dell's one year of parts-and-labor coverage of the Dimension E521 is about average for systems in this class. Toll-free phone service is available 24/7, and included onsite repairs improve the outlook. As usual, Dell's Web site is valuable for its FAQs...

Feb, 2007

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Rich Brown (cnet.com.au)

Dell Dimension E521 review: Dell Dimension E521

Fast dual-core AMD CPU lends bang for the buck; Vista runs with no hitches; roomy 320GB hard drive will please digital media archivists.

Weak graphics card is fast enough for Vista, but that's about it, and there's no faster option available with this model.

Jan, 2007

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Rich Brown (zdnet.com.au)

Dell Dimension E521

It doesn't have many bells and whistles, but a powerful dual-core AMD processor lends the Dell Dimension E521 unexpected performance and strong bang for the buck.

Feb, 2007

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Expert review by (pcanswers.co.uk)

Dell Dimension E521

Dell has recently cast aside its tradition of using Intel processors and built a series of PCs sporting the chips of rival manufacturer AMD. This machine is one of the first AMDbased systems to adopt the BTX form factor.

Good looks, Quiet

Average monitor, Middle-of-the-road graphics

Quiet, stylish all-rounder

Jan, 2007

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Consumer review (viewpoints.com)

Inspiron 570 Minitower - Awesome ”

We upgraded the basic Inspiron 570 Mini tower to include 6GB. This system is fast, has great memory and has the capabilities we were looking for in a long term computer. As a residential - non-office computer we wanted to be able to do a "little"...

Jun, 2011

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