OptiPlex (a portmanteau of "optimal" and "-plex") is a line of business-oriented desktop and all-in-one computers aimed at corporate enterprises, healthcare, government, and education markets released in 1993 by Dell. The systems typically contain Intel CPUs, beginning with Celeron and Pentium and with the Core microarchitecture (i3, i5, i7, i9). 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 OptiPlex systems. OptiPlex configurations can be completed by the purchaser for components such as CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage and Wireless options, as well as Dell Pro support. History In 1993, Dell released the OptiPlex and NetPlex lines in the wake of its first quarterly loss. Its disappointing results were partially attributed to poor returns on its notebook division; however, Dell's desktop and server lines continued to see success, particularly within the enterprise market. The new offerings were positioned accordingly. The NetPlex line consisted of inexpensive i486 workstations designed to be used as corporate network clients. The OptiPlex line offered the same networking capabilities as the NetPlex along with additional features such as VESA Local Bus expansion slots, expandable VRAM, and stronger processor models. It also targeted large enterprises with features such as embedded diagnostics. Overview Series 1 - Classic beige In the classic beige chassis: Series 2 In the midnight-gray chassis: Series 3 - BTX Dell OptiPlex from 2005 to 2009 followed Intel's BTX standard. The first model to sport the new BTX layout was the OptiPlex 170L and also the OptiPlex GX280 had a BTX variant albeit uncommon. The last model to be BTX is the OptiPlex 980. 7xx Series DT models can be configured with a riser card to accommodate two full height cards. The riser card fits over the top PCIe x16 slot and middle PCI which is slightly longer with extra pins, this is however not PCI-X. Features DirectDetect system health status indicators for troubleshooting and diagnostics. Capacitor issues OptiPlex models (mostly produced in 2003 and 2004), notably the GX270, suffered from frequent failures due to faulty capacitors supplied by Nichicon as part of the capacitor plague. 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. Series 4 The OptiPlex 960