Categories
Technology

Dell Desktop Design

Dell DimensionI’ve often wondered if any of Dell’s computer case designers have actually used the USB ports on the front of the computers they designed. Not only are they totally out of sight if your case is sitting on the floor when you lift up that stylish cover on the front, but the ports are also at a strange angle, making it very hard to plug anything in without getting down on the floor and looking up under the panel. Once you finally manage to get something plugged in, wires have to come up and around the front of the panel. Not only that, you almost have to unplug anything that’s plugged into the front of the computer every time you are done because there’s no way to close the cover with anything plugged in and it’s very awkward sticking out. The same thing goes for the CD case. Every time you need to insert or remove a CD you have to open a door on the front of the case. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually own a Dell desktop (I do have a Dell laptop however) but I’m always baffled by this when I have to use one. Maybe someone who owns one could clarify this design decision for me.

5 replies on “Dell Desktop Design”

Hi,

I have one of those Dell Towers sitting on the desk next to me (I am far to lazy to unwire it and put it on the floor after threading all the wires through the tiny cable hole in my desk). The little door is very useful because I can plug in my headphones and my mp3 player or thumb drive.
Given, though, that towers are meant to go on the floor as you point out it does seem a little odd now you think about it. Maybe Dells designers where just covering all the bases – including lazy people like me 🙂

Let me clarify… I think having ports on the front of the computer is a great idea. What I don’t understand is why they’re hidden under that door that opens in a way that makes them so difficult to access.

It’s all about the look I suspose and Dell does have some of the nicest cases of the big three PC manufacturers. I think the design takes into consideration only users who keep their tower ‘on’ their desk.

Dell towers are a wonder of modern architechture. The USB ports should be put in a more convenient spot, and angled better. I ended up just ripping that stupid cover off (gently) to get to the ports.

I have made this very same observation. Everytime I have to get down on my hands and knees to plug in my usb pen drive I want to have a little talk with the engineer who designed the case the way it is.

The funny thing is my sister works for Dell as an Electrical Engineer. I mentioned this to her once and she said she would pass it on to somebody that worked in that area. Who knows, maybe in a couple of years they will make it more user friendly.

Comments are closed.