Glen,
The desktop is a Dimension 2400, but basically, YES, that was last years model of what is the 110. It is their bare-bones "teaser" model, but it is more than sufficient for the milling task. You just have to be strong with the two-dollar-itus at the Dell site. Otherwise, your $299 Dell ends up costing $1,500 once you start upgrading.
Also, i did spend all the time reading Art's optimisation document. it DOES get the driver graph settled down, but my laptop still limited the mill's functionallity.
Ben