New Inspiron 3880 Mini-Tower - Many Questions

I hear you.  Just another user’s comment.

Re:

1. What happen to the construction quality of the case? -not to mention the square box look. Optiplex 7## MT (BTX) uses tank like thick metal case almost military grade.  You would not find that kind of construction in modern prebuilt pc.
2. Why build a tower where expanding is almost non-existing?
3. Why include a PCI-E slot for graphics cards when only one card (that I'm aware of - the over priced NIVIDA GT1030) can be used because the machine comes with only a 200 Watt power Supply?  
   PSU can be upgraded to 460W/500W because 3880 proprietary 6 pin ATX is most likely identical to 3681 or G5.
4. Why build a tower that only has two SATA hard drive connections? If you order the PC with an Optical Drive (which most people still use) theirs no way to add an internal second hard drive.  I think the trend may be less use of odd and more combination of hdd+M.2 ssd, but your opinion is very valid.  Also hdd is more economical than M.2 ssd.  You can get a new 128gb M.2 ssd for $20.  For that much $ you can also get a 1-2 TB hdd which probably lasts much longer than ssd albeit old tech and slower.

Inspiron 3880 supports one of the following storage configurations:

• One 3.5-inch hard-disk drive
• One M.2 2230 solid-state drive
• One M.2 2230 solid-state drive + One 3.5-inch hard-disk drive

Thanks everyone for the great ideas, and speedstep - you are absolutely correct. This is why this was my first new purchase in over 10 years. I normally buy the older built machines. I primarily get Optiplex machines such as the 5040, 9020, and 9010. I thought I would get a taste of all the new technology with a new machine but can't really say I'm impressed. I wasn't aware of the OEM DVD's - I just did fresh installs Windows 10.

I use the Optiplex 5040 as my primary computer with the Optiplex 9020 as my back-up. They are both excellent computers for everything that I do. My Optiplex 745 Tower I use for DVD projects ( which it has two Optical Drives) and other major work - it is outstanding - never a problem; it has two hard drives I use Windows 7 on one and Windows 10 on the other (Drivers not an issue).

I still use Older Optiplex GX620 machines.  I only get tower models so I don't have an issue with power supply replacements.

GX620 745 755 760 780 790 etc work with 10 but dont have 10 drivers.

starting with 9020 you have win 10 drivers and support,

Optical drive and room for 2 internal hard drives and win10 compatible bios key.

9020 is fine due to its actual expandability and repairability and upgrade potential if needed.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/optiplex-9020-desktop/docs

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000135004/dell-optiplex-9020-and-xe2-windows-8-driver-installation-guide

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/optiplex-9020-desktop/opt9020mtom-v2/working-on-your-computer?guid=guid-9ccd6d90-c1d1-427f-9e77-d4f83f3ad2b6&lang=en-us

https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/optiplex-9020-desktop_owners-manual2_en-us.pdf

Hi,

I have replied to you via a private message.

-Gautam.

I have the problem with DVD drive front panel, can't DELL provide a panel if we have our own DVD drive (from old Dell Desktop)? I cannot even get a panel for the front even if I want to buy it. Horrible thought process!!