Desknote Purchasing Guide:
Recommendations for Second Quarter 2009-2010
Specifications effective October 1, 2009
This desknote purchasing guide for 2009-2010 includes specifications from Information Systems & Computing (ISC) for an emerging category of workstation that includes some of the portability of a notebook along with some of the performance of a desktop. Desknotes generally are not usable as conventional notebooks - they are too large (6 to 10 pounds) and often have too little battery life (often well under 2 hours). They are, however, a reasonable trade-off for users who rarely move their workstations or who need maximum portable power for uses such as CAD or video manipulation.
Mainstream Desknote System
These systems are generally used as a primary desktop system or ‘desktop-equivalent’. These desknotes tend to weigh between six and ten pounds and have larger (15.4-inch to 17.0-inch) screens. In performance and capability, they tend to meet or exceed last year's desktop recommendations. Examples of such systems are the Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch and the Dell Latitude E6500.
Recommended Configurations for Desknote Systems
Specifications effective October 1, 2009
Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (1/1, 4/1, 7/1, 10/1) |
|---|
| |
Windows |
Mac OS |
| Hardware |
Processor |
Core 2 Duo T9400 (2.53 GHz)1 |
Core 2 Duo T9550 (2.66 GHz)1 |
|---|
| Memory (RAM) |
4.0 GB |
4.0 GB |
|---|
| Hard Disk |
250 GB/7200 RPM |
320 GB/5400 RPM |
|---|
| Display & Graphics |
15.4-inch to 17.0-inch high resolution2
256 MB discrete video card |
17.0-inch widescreen2
512 MB discrete video card |
|---|
| Miscellaneous |
DVD±R/CD-RW drive
internal Bluetooth |
DVD±R/CD-RW 'SuperDrive'
internal Bluetooth |
|---|
Network
Connectivity |
High-bandwidth |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
|---|
| Low-bandwidth |
optional 56 Kbps V.92 modem |
optional 56 Kbps V.92 modem |
|---|
| Recommended Operating System |
Windows Vista Service Pack 13 |
Mac OS 10.5.x4 |
|---|
| Life Cycle |
42 months to 4 years |
42 months to 4 years |
|---|
| Estimated Price |
$1,550 - $1,8005 |
$2,850 - $2,9005 |
|---|
Desknote Portable Workstation
These systems are generally used as portable workstations, with specialized software loadouts, optimized hardware, and considerable expense. These desknotes tend to weigh between six and nine pounds and have larger (15.4-inch to 17.0-inch) screens. In performance and capability, they tend to easily exceed last year's desktop recommendations. Examples of such systems are the Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch, the Dell Precision M4300, the Dell Precision M6300, the HP/Compaq Mobile Workstation nw9440/nx9420, and the Lenovo ThinkPad W700.
Recommended Configurations for Desknote Portable Workstations
Specifications effective October 1, 2009
Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (1/1, 4/1, 7/1, 10/1) |
|---|
| |
Windows |
Mac OS |
| Hardware |
Processor |
Core 2 Duo T9300 (2.5 GHz)1 |
Core 2 Duo T9550 (2.66 GHz)1 |
|---|
| Memory (RAM) |
4.0 GB |
4.0 GB |
|---|
| Hard Disk |
200 GB/7200 RPM |
320 GB/7200 RPM |
|---|
| Display & Graphics |
15.4-inch or 17.0-inch high resolution widescreen2
256 MB discrete video card |
17.0-inch high resolution widescreen2
512 MB discrete video card |
|---|
| Miscellaneous |
DVD±R/CD-RW drive
internal Bluetooth |
DVD±R/CD-RW 'SuperDrive'
internal Bluetooth |
|---|
Network
Connectivity |
High-bandwidth |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
|---|
| Low-bandwidth |
optional 56 Kbps V.92 modem |
optional 56 Kbps V.92 modem |
|---|
| Recommended Operating System |
Windows XP Service Pack 2
or Windows Vista Service Pack 13 |
Mac OS 10.5.x4 |
|---|
| Life Cycle |
42 months to 4 years |
42 months to 4 years |
|---|
| Estimated Price |
$2,400 - $3,1005 |
$2,900 - $2,9505 |
|---|
Footnotes:
- A more detailed University-centric perspective on processors is available from ISC's Processor Guide.
- 15-inch and larger screens are not recommended for frequent use in trains, planes, or other tight spaces; experience suggests that they are too large. Specific exceptions to this include widescreen 15.4-inch desknotes from Dell.
- Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 is supported and recommended. It is an appropriate choice for new workstations running the Windows platform because of its emphasis on security, superior driver support, stability, connectivity, and supportability. ISC does not recommend, but will support Windows XP Home Service Pack 3. Windows XP Home is missing important networking and security features, such as domain-based authentication, that are critical to many Schools and Centers in the University.
Windows Vista Service Packs 2 and 3 (Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions) are also supported and recommended for general use. ISC does not recommend, but will support Home Premium. Home Premium is missing important networking and security features, such as domain-based authentication, that are essential to many Schools and Centers in the University. ISC will not support Home Basic. Home Basic is missing many important networking, maintenance, and security features that are critical to many Schools and Centers at the University.
- Mac OS 10.5.x is the only supported and recommended choice for new Macintosh systems, as Apple's newly released systems always require the latest version of Mac OS. Given this, ISC expects new Macintoshes to begin shipping with Mac OS 10.6.x shortly.
Apple's Boot Camp technology offers added flexibility for users who need to occasionally use Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Windows Vista Service Pack 2, or Windows XP Service Pack 3. It should not be used to turn a Macintosh into a full time Windows system. Boot Camp also requires that both the Windows and the Mac OS operating systems be patched and maintained.
- Estimated pricing for these desknotes includes three-year service plans from the manufacturers, which ISC strongly recommends. Note that the three year warranty is an extra cost for some desknotes (including Macintoshes) and that this cost is reflected in the estimated price. Pricing is generated using the online configurators available from Dell and Apple and is for general reference only. Support providers often will be able to generate significantly more competitive pricing.
Desknote manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Apple and Dell.
If your school or center is considering a significant quantity of desknote purchases, ISC strongly recommends a consultation to weigh the pros and cons in today's rapidly changing environment (contact John Mulhern III in ISC, mulhernj@isc.upenn.edu; 573-3567).
Desktop Recommendations
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