'Desknote' Buyer's Guide:
Recommendations for Fourth Quarter 2003-2004
Specifications effective April 19, 2004
This 'desknote' buyer's guide for 2003-2004 includes specifications 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 useable as conventional laptops - they are too large (7 to 11 pounds) and 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.
These specifications reflect current system configurations offered by Apple, Dell, and HP/Compaq. In performance and capability, these systems tend to be relatively close to this year's desktop recommendations. Examples of such systems are the Apple PowerBook G4 17-inch, the Dell Precision M60, the HP/Compaq Mobile Workstation NW8000, and the IBM ThinkPad R50p.
Recommended Configurations for 'Desknote' Portable Workstations
Specifications effective April 19, 2004
Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (10/1, 1/1, 4/1, 7/1) |
|---|
| |
Windows |
Mac OS |
| Hardware |
Processor |
Pentium-M (1.7 GHz)
Pentium 4 (2.6 GHz)1 |
PowerPC G4 (1.5 GHz)1 |
|---|
| Memory (RAM) |
768 MB |
768 MB |
|---|
| Hard Disk |
60 GB |
80 GB |
|---|
| Monitor & VRAM |
15.0-inch to 17.0-inch TFT2
64 MB VRAM |
17.0-inch TFT2
64 MB VRAM |
|---|
| Miscellaneous |
CD-RW/writeable DVD
optional Bluetooth
optional 1.4 MB floppy drive |
CD-RW/writeable DVD
internal Bluetooth |
|---|
| Network Connection |
High-bandwidth |
10/100BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b (Wi-Fi) |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
|---|
| Low-bandwidth |
56 Kbps V.92 modem |
56 Kbps V.92 modem |
|---|
| Operating System |
Windows XP Professional3 |
Mac OS X version 10.3.x4 |
|---|
| Support Period |
Until July, 2007 |
Until July, 2007 |
|---|
| Estimated Price |
$2,900 - $3,8505 |
$2,8505 |
|---|
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 criteria are widescreen 15.4-inch desknotes from Dell.
- Windows XP Professional is generally the best choice for new Windows desknotes because of its superior driver support, stability, connectivity, and supportability. ISC also sees Windows 2000 Professional as an acceptable choice, though it is no longer state-of-the-art and Microsoft's support for it relative to Windows XP Professional is expected to decrease significantly in FY 2004.
ISC does not recommend Windows XP Home. 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. In addition, Microsoft will not support Windows XP Home for the same extended period that it will support Windows XP Professional.
- Mac OS X version 10.3.x is currently the only choice for new Mac OS desknotes.
- 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).
'Desknote' change history
desktop recommendations
|
