Dell Pro Slim QCS1250 desktop Core Ultra 5 235 8/512 GB Windows 11 Pro

Slim is Dell's thin desktop chassis, sitting between the small Micro and a classic tower. The narrow black case fits on the desk beside the monitor or under the desk in a tight corner without getting in the way of your legs. The workspace stays tidy and is easier to clean, especially in an open-plan office with rows of identical desks. The manufacturer does not specify exact dimensions or weight.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core processor built on Intel's hybrid architecture, which pairs performance cores with efficiency cores. Background tasks run on the efficient cores while demanding work gets the performance cores, so the computer stays responsive even with a browser, email, a video call and large spreadsheets open at once. There is no T in the model name, so this is the standard rather than the low-power version.

The 8 GB of DDR5 memory at 5600 MHz is fitted as a single module (1 × 8 GB). That is enough for everyday office work: documents, email, a browser and video calls run smoothly. With very many tabs or large spreadsheets open at once, more memory helps. The 512 GB SSD boots the system quickly and has room for plenty of documents and photos alongside the system.

Graphics are handled by Intel integrated graphics built into the processor. There is no separate graphics card, which means lower power draw and less heat inside the case. Office, a web browser, video calls, video playback and light photo editing all run smoothly. For 3D modelling, rendering and demanding games, a computer with a dedicated graphics card is the right tool.

Windows 11 Pro is preinstalled and differs from the Home edition precisely in its business features. BitLocker encrypts the drive so data stays out of the wrong hands if the computer is stolen, the machine can join a company domain, and the IT department can manage devices and updates centrally. Work can begin right after the initial setup.

Straightforward office workstations built around documents, email and web applications; reception and service desks; classrooms and libraries; and companies that want uniform Windows 11 Pro computers their IT department can manage centrally. If the work calls for more memory, the 16 GB version of the same model is worth considering.