I have the main unit.
type computer
country USA
year 2003
os Windows XP
cpu Intel Pentium 4
speed 2.4 GHz
ram 512 MB
disk 24x/8x CD-RW/DVD
hd Enhanced-IDE 20GB
graphic Intel Extreme
Graphics 2 colors true color
sound yes
ports USB2 (6), Ethernet, Serial, parallel, DVI & RGB output, PS/2 mouse, PS/2 keyboard,
stereo line-in, microphone line-in, speaker line-out, headphone.
The Dell OptiPlex SX270 — The Corporate Desktop
The Dell OptiPlex SX270 was part of Dell’s OptiPlex series of corporate desktop computers — a product line designed specifically for business and enterprise environments that prioritised manageability, reliability, and total cost of ownership over consumer features. Released in the early 2000s, the SX270 used Intel’s Pentium 4 processor in an ultra-small form factor (USFF) chassis — a remarkably compact enclosure that could be mounted behind a monitor or placed vertically on a desk, minimising the floor space required in corporate environments.
Dell’s Rise to Dominance
Dell Computer Corporation, founded by Michael Dell in 1984 with $1,000 of startup capital, pioneered the direct-to-customer PC sales model — selling computers directly to businesses and consumers without retail intermediaries, allowing lower prices and customised configurations. By the early 2000s, Dell had become the world’s largest PC manufacturer, overtaking Compaq and IBM in corporate PC sales through relentless focus on supply chain efficiency and customer service.
The OptiPlex Legacy
The OptiPlex series became the dominant corporate desktop platform throughout the 1990s and 2000s, found in offices, schools, and government institutions worldwide. The SX270’s ultra-small form factor was particularly popular in space-constrained environments — call centres, trading floors, and educational institutions where desk space was at a premium. Its presence in the Computer Museum Ata collection reflects the reality that corporate computing history is as much a part of the retro computing story as home computers and gaming machines.