The Optiplex XE was designed for the harshest conditions you could ever imagine. The precision design of the Optiplex XE, along with the several features added to improve durability, means that this computer can survive in some of the hottest and most inappropriate conditions available. It is ideal for production situations, field offices, monitoring stations or as part of a mobile unit that works in hot and dusty conditions. It is designed to withstand direct heat and the case is sealed to prevent dust and other debris from getting in. When you are looking for a computer that has to handle conditions that the others just cannot handle, then this is the machine you are looking for.
As far as computing power goes, the Optiplex XE is a powerful computer. It gives the option of the Intel Core Duo, Pentium Dual Core or Celeron processors. It can run Windows 7 or Linux Ubuntu, depending on your particular operating system needs. The Optiplex XE can accept up to 8GB of system memory and you have the option of on-board video or a separate video card. Because of its extreme design, one of the networking options available is the NetXtreme wireless networking connection. But it also can come with standard Dell 802.11 wireless networking as well. It can be configured for RAID storage if that is what you prefer.
The case of the Optiplex XE can come as a desktop or a small tower form factor. These units are built compact to help perform their extreme duties, but there is also room for expansion in each of the models. The desktop model can accept two standard hard drives and has an array of extra expansion ports for video, networking or any other kind of expansion card. The small tower form factor of the Optiplex XE accepts only one hard drive, but it does offer some additional space for expansion cards as well. There are also the standard USB and monitor expansion ports on the outside of the case.
As you would expect from a unit like this, the Optiplex XE has several layers of security. The case is equipped with a loop for a chassis lock to physically prevent anyone from tampering with the inside of the unit. There is also a chassis intrusion switch on the Optiplex XE that makes this unit impenetrable to dust, heat and anyone that wants to make unauthorized changes to it.