Value PC Buyer's Guide: Recommendations for 2001-2002

Value PC Buyer's Guide:
Recommendations for 2001-2002

Specifications effective April 1, 2002

Value PC’s are defined by Information Systems & Computing (ISC) as PC’s that meet the necessary requirements for a three year life cycle. Value PC’s tend to cost between $1,000 and $1,500. Low cost PC’s, which usually cost $500-$1000 and often compromise some combination of performance, reliability, compatibility, or expandability to achieve the lowest possible costs, are not recommended.

Recommended Configurations For Value PC Desktop Workstations Specifications effective April 1, 2002 Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (10/1, 1/1, 4/1, 7/1)
		Windows	Mac OS
Hardware	Processor	Celeron (1.1 GHz)	PowerPC G4 (700 MHz)
	Memory (RAM)	256 MB	256 MB
	Hard Disk	40 GB	40 GB
	Monitor & VRAM	17-inch XGA 32 MB VRAM	15-inch XGA LCD 32 MB VRAM
	Sound	Sound Blaster compatible audio & speaker	Built-in audio & speaker
	Miscellaneous	CD-RW Zip 250 drive	CD-RW external Zip 250 drive
	Support Period	Until July, 2004	Until July, 2004
	Today’s Estimated Price	$1,250	$1,500
Operating System		Windows 2000 Professional Windows XP Professional¹	Mac OS 9.2.x Mac OS X version 10.1.2+²
Network Connection	High-bandwidth	10/100BaseT Ethernet	10/100BaseT Ethernet
Network Connection	Low-bandwidth	PPP (V.90 modem)	PPP (V.90 modem)

Value PC change history

Footnotes:

Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional are significantly more reliable, supportable, and secure than other versions of Windows (e.g., Windows 95/98/ME/XP Home). At this point in time, Windows 2000 Professional is generally the best choice for the Windows platform because of its superior driver support, high reliability, and excellent connectivity. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) sees Windows XP Professional as steadily improving and expects it to be the Windows operating system of choice sometime in Fiscal Year 2003. Schools or centers may choose to use other Windows operating systems (such as Windows 98 or Windows NT Workstation 4.0) where local needs warrant such use, but should be aware that Microsoft is rapidly retiring these operating systems.

Mac OS X version 10.1.2 or greater is generally the best choice for the Macintosh platform because of its superior driver support, high reliability, and excellent connectivity. Schools or centers may choose to use other versions of the Mac OS (such as Mac OS 9.2.x) where local needs warrant such use.

Value PC manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Apple and Dell.

If your school or department is considering a large quantity of Value PC 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).

Low Cost PC's – Not Recommended

Price reductions resulting from market competition and continued technical innovation make definition of "Low Cost PCs" a moving target. It is generally true, however, that computers priced in the bottom 20% of the current range compromise some combination of performance, reliability, compatibility, or expandability to achieve the lowest possible costs. Compatibility with recommended network products is a particularly important consideration at Penn.

Bearing in mind that you get what you pay for in most cases, and that the costs associated with supporting these systems typically outweigh the actual purchase price, ISC recommends that "Low cost PCs" not be purchased for general use.

2001-2002 desktop recommendations



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