Dear Dell, Please Update your Standard PC Image!

Today I got a peak at the all new Dell Optiplex 745.  For some reason they have dropped the GX distinction on this Optiplex model, not sure why, but I can go with change.  After cracking open the case to notice just how cramped it is in there I hooked it up to see how she performed and to create a new Standard image for my clients. 

The out of the box boot up time was lightning.  In fact I was through all of the standard next, next, next, reboot wizards in record time.  After grabbing the installers for all the stuff I wanted to install I took a peak at the All programs list, and very shortly after that the Add/Remove Programs control panel.  Goodbye to Google Desktop/ Google IE Search Bar.  Where is the Dell DVD codec?  Where is the Roxio RecordNow installation?  Hmm Maybe I forgot to order it, Nope don't think so.  One saving grace is that the Embasy Trust Suite was not installed, however there was a pesky icon on the All Programs listing to install it with a simple click.  Whew, delete that.  (The Embassy Trust Suite is Dell's attempt at securing the Windows XP file system.  I'm not saying that its a bad program, it just completely hoses the system if you install it with Network Associates McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise 8.0.i.,  I learned that one the hard way.)

So far so mediocre.  Now for the thing that makes my blood pressure rise a little.  I click to update the OS thinking that I may have a dozen or so updates since Dell was able to create the image for this new hot model. (It has an Intel CORE 2 Duo Processor, with something like a GHz FSB, and L2Cache). 

43 CRITICAL UPDATES NEEDED!!!

Dell What are you thinking, shipping a new Desktop PC that needs 43 Critical Updates to the OS!  It seems that the Google Software is plenty up to date.  I suppose that's because they paid a premium for their "partnership" in the new Optiplex Line.  I've always liked Google, but come on 43 CRITICAL updates.  Please update your image.

Experts Exchange Member

The office just picked up an Experts Exchange http://experts-exchange.com membership and I have to admit that it is a really great site.  I had noticed in the past that when I would google for a really esoteric and tricky problem I almost always got an EE article that I couldn't read all of becasue I wasn't a member.  Now that I can see the articles wow!That thing is choc' full O' techie goodness.  I think between reading that and the Outlook/Exchange google groups I might acutally learn enough to continue to be usefull.