Performance Desktop Purchasing Guide:
Recommendations for Second Quarter 2009-2010

The following are current recommendations for new administrative desktops and other University users with demanding computing needs. Performance desktops meet the necessary requirements for a four year life cycle and generally cost between $1,000 and $1,500.

Important Note: these recommendations are designed by Information Systems & Computing (ISC) as a quarterly complement to the University's yearly desktop recommendations -- not as a replacement for them. They will always meet the current standards and may at times exceed them, particularly later in the academic year.

These specifications reflect current system configurations being offered by Apple and Dell.

Performance Desktop change history

Footnotes:

1. Processor speed is no longer considered important, but the class of processor is. A more detailed University-centric perspective on AMD and Intel processors is available from ISC's Processor Guide.


2. Systems that use network storage for their entire life cycle may be deployed with smaller (i.e. 160 GB) hard drives. Some systems, in particular those from Apple, ship in standard configurations with substantially larger hard drives.


3. There is often significant variance in resolution and display quality among LCD displays of the same size. See ISC's Display and Graphics Guide for more information on LCDs and video cards.


4. Windows Vista Service Packs 1 and 2 (32-bit and 64-bit Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions) are supported and recommended for general use.
   
   ISC does not recommend, but does support the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Premium Service Packs 1 and 2. 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 does not and will not support any version of Windows Vista Home Basic. Home Basic is missing many important networking, maintenance, and security features that are critical to many Schools and Centers at the University.
   
   Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (32-bit) is supported for new systems, though it will become extremely difficult to purchase in FY2010. Windows XP Home Service Pack 3 (32-bit) is also supported, although it is missing important networking and security features, such as domain-based authentication, that are essential to many Schools and Centers in the University. Note that Windows XP Service Pack 3 will face retirement within this current four year life cycle.


5. 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.


6. Pricing is generated using the online configurators available from Apple and Dell and is for general reference only. Support providers often will be able to generate significantly more competitive pricing.

Performance Desktop manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Apple and Dell.

These specifications are sometimes revised in mid-quarter when major changes in configurations from Apple and Dell become generally available. When this happens, the revision date is highlighted in red and both operating system categories are repriced.

If your school or center is considering a significant quantity of Performance Desktop 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; 3-3567).

Desktop Recommendations