'Desknote' Buyer's Guide:
Recommendations for Fourth Quarter 2007-2008

This 'desknote' buyer's guide for 2007-2008 includes specifications from Information Systems & Computing (ISC) for an emerging category of workstation that includes some of the portability of a laptop along with some of the performance of a desktop. Desknotes generally are not usable as conventional laptops - 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 D830.

'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, and the HP/Compaq Mobile Workstation nw9440/nx9420.

Footnotes:

1. A more detailed University-centric perspective on processors is available from ISC's Processor Guide.


2. 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.


3. Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 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. It is also the only version of Windows XP to implement the "No Execute" security capability supported by all current Intel and AMD processors. ISC does not recommend, but will support Windows XP Home Service Pack 2. 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 (Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions) is also supported and recommended for general use, though it is not currently compatible with all University applications. 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. See the University's main Windows Vista page for more information and advice.


4. 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 the Mac OS. It features superior driver support and security. See the University's main Mac OS 10.5 page for more information and advice.
   
   Apple's Boot Camp technology offers the promise of added flexibility in the future for users who need to occasionally use Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista. It should not be used to turn a Macintosh into a full time Windows machine. Boot Camp also requires that both the Windows and the Mac OS operating systems be patched and maintained.


5. 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