Dell OptiPlex
The OptiPlex is a line of business-oriented desktop computers from Dell aimed at the enterprise, government, and education markets. The systems typically contain Intel CPUs, beginning with the Pentium and with the Core microarchitecture ; although Dell sells some models with AMD CPUs as well. Business-oriented components, such as Gigabit Ethernet, DisplayPort, Tool-less Chassis and software such as data protection utilities, along with management features such as Intel vPro often come standard with the OptiPlex. Configuration of the OptiPlex can be configured by the purchaser such as CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage and Wireless options can be customised. Can be optionally purchased with Dell Pro support. Preinstalled will often be a Professional edition of Microsoft Windows however Linux options "n Series" are available.
Name
OptiPlex is a portmanteau of "opti" and "plex"History
Dell first introduced the OptiPlex line of business computers starting in 1993.Capacitor issues
Older OptiPlex models, notably the GX270, suffered from frequent failures due to faulty capacitors supplied by Nichicon. These capacitors would bulge and leak, resulting in product failure after only a few years of use. Leaked internal documents allege that Dell knew that the computers were likely to fail, and continued to ship them.Chassis
Dell offers a variety of form factors, ranging from Micro to Tower in addition to All-in-one. Expandability also ranges for each form factor, Micro being the smallest with little to no expandability; to Mini-tower which can hold multiple drives and more powerful graphics cards. Depending on the generation, the internal layout can be BTX or ATX and often proprietary. The OptiPlex Chassis has also changed over time segmented into many series.Series 1 - Classic beige
In the classic beige chassis:Series 2 - Midnight-gray
In the midnight-gray chassis :Series 3 - BTX
Dell Optiplex from 2005 to 2009 used the BTX series of cases. The first model to sport the new BTX case was a limited amount of GX280 computers, however they were still mainly sold in the older cases. The first Dell Optiplex to use the BTX cases only was the Dell Optiplex GX520 & GX620 in 2005 and the last Dell Optiplex to use the BTX cases was the Dell Optiplex 780 in late 2009 the case shared many similarities to a similar BTX style Dimension line of computers, including the 3100 series, the 9100 and the AMD powered E520 series which shared similar components such as the front panel mounted fan..Series 4
The OptiPlex 960 introduces a new style of cases, made to be eco-friendly with recyclable plastics. The first two models, namely the 960 and 980 were based on BTX, However the rest of this series is built upon the standard ATX and Micro ATX. From the x020 and onwards, Dell switched over from a standard 24 pin power connector to a proprietary 8 pin. The DT models from this series uses standard TFX power supplies and the MT uses standard ATX power supplies.Series 5
Dell OptiPlex computers sold from 2015 to 2020 use cases that more closely resemble the style used in Dell laptops of the same era. These Optiplex machines are no longer standard ATX or MicroATX.Series 6 - Pro 2
The Dell OptiPlex Chassis now follows the Pro 2 chassis introduced with the OptiPlex 7071 Starting with the 3080, 5080 and 7080 Models. Up to a 500W 92% 80+ Platinum PSU and support for Nvidia RTX Graphics Cards. All Models including All-in-ones offer 802.11ax WiFi 6 Options.| Chassis | Image | Height | Width | Depth | Expansion Card Slots | External Bays | Internal Bays |
| Micro | 1 | 2 M.2 2280 SSD, 1 2.5" HDD | |||||
| Small Form Factor | 2 | 1 | 2 M.2 2280 SSD, 1 3.5"/2.5" HDD | ||||
| MiniTower | 36.7 cm | 16.9 cm | 30 cm | 4 | 1 | 2 M.2 2280 SSD, 2 3.5", 2 2.5" HDD |