Solved just wondering...

[pawz7]

we have a couple of old Dell towers, passed on to us by folk who have upgraded and who hope we still do refurbishing and re-homing ( we don't; no-one wants them anymore). One I have kept upstairs for such needs as running Microsoft Editor, which works on a 32bit system but not on our own Windows Seven 64bits, the other which came in yesterday, we were going to dismantle for recycling - but then we saw that that model is a Dimension 4500,whereas the one upstairs is a Dimension 3100. Does that make the 4500 a newer model we wondered? No it does not, from the specs it appears that the 3100 is a more recent model by several years - so the wonder is, how does Dell organize the series numbers in a coherent order? Just idle curiosity really.... thought someone here would probably know..

 

[fireberd]

The model number, on the old (discontinued) Dimension line doesn't always mean a newer model. However, it can mean an upgraded model/CPU, etc. Some designations also indicate whether it is a US only model or a model that is sold worldwide. For example the Dimension 3100 is the same as a Dimension E310. The 3100 is sold worldwide but the E310 is US only. I had a Dimension E510 (US only) and it is the same as the Dimension 5100 sold worldwide. Both the E310/3100 and the E510/5100 were both sold in the same timeframe. The Inspiron Desktop line replaced the Dimension line about 6 years ago.

Dell Laptops are harder to determine age, there is a plethora of Inspiron Laptop models (the Inspiron is the most popular Laptop line and also the "consumer" line).

I used to work the Dell forums, thus how I know "something" about them.

 

[Megahertz07]

Remember that some Linux run very well on old computers.
Depending on the CPU and memory it will even run 64 bits.
Linux is safe, fast and free. And you'll find a link to install almost any Win similar program (for free)
Try to install Lubuntu - lubuntu | lightweight, fast, easier

 

[Eric3742]

Technically speaking, not correct.


Dimension 3100 and Dimension 4500 have no relation to each other.


Example:
1. Model code: MZ-7502508W
2. Model code: MZ-8502507L

Both are Samsung SSD 250GB but different models.
Series 750 and 850

3. Model code: MZ-7505008K

For Model codes 1 and 3 both is Samsung 750 SSD series, but different in size, 250GB and 500GB, respectively.

This do not mean 850 series is later than 750 series, as all can be available on the same period /date.

As the the last 2 alpha-numeric (depend on how Manufacturer design) also related to other info.


For to ensure which is new or old, check the manufacturer websites.

 

[GEWB]

Scrap the 4500 - older than the 3100, not as capable.

3100 is OK with Linux (Puppy, Linux Mint, Lubuntu, etc.).

Review links:
4500: Dell Dimension 4500S Review & Rating | PCMag.com

3100: Dell Dimension E310 Review & Rating | PCMag.com

Regards,
GEWB

 

[dg1261]

how does Dell organize the series numbers in a coherent order? Just idle curiosity

The 3100 was part of the Dimension 2000-3000 model line. The 4500 was part of the Dimension 4000-5000 line. Both lines were basically similar, with the same cases for production runs in the same time period. The 2/3 series were entry-level machines with entry level specs, while the 4/5 series were mid-level machines with slightly better specs. Same cases, just different motherboards, CPUs, number of ram slots, etc.

The 4500 was a mid-level contemporary of a 2300 or 2350. The 3100 was an entry-level contemporary of the 5100/5150. (Note that by the time the later models came out, entry-level specs were better than the mid-level specs of the earlier models, so the 3100 is the better of the two machines.)

As fireberd mentioned, the exact same models were also marketed as the Dimension E-series.

 

[pawz7]

thank you dg for that definitive explanation, I think I catch the flow a bit better; bit more complicated than I had anticipated. Certainly the 3100 is the better machine, using DDR2 and having PCI-e if I remember correctly, not having peered inside for a while. My 'idle curiosity' has been satisified! Thank you

 

[dg1261]

Correct, the 4500 used DDR and had a AGP slot for video (besides the native onboard video). And IIRC, it only had EIDE, no SATA. I think the 4600 was the first to have SATA ports (in addition to EIDE).