Value Desktop Purchasing Guide:
Recommendations for Second Quarter 2009-2010
Specifications effective October 1, 2009
Value Desktops are defined by Information Systems & Computing (ISC) as PCs that meet the necessary requirements for a three year life cycle. Value Desktops tend to cost between $700 and $1,050. Low cost PCs, which usually cost between $300 and $700 and often compromise some combination of performance, reliability, compatibility, or expandability to achieve the lowest possible costs, are not recommended.
Recommended Configurations for Value Desktop 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
or
Athlon X21
|
Core 2 Duo1 |
| Memory (RAM) |
2.0 GB |
2.0 GB |
| Hard Disk |
80 GB |
80 GB |
| Display & Graphics |
17-inch LCD
integrated video or 128 MB discrete video card2 |
17-inch LCD
integrated video |
| Sound |
Built-in audio & speaker |
Built-in audio & speaker |
| Miscellaneous |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive |
Network
Connection |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
|---|
| Recommended Operating System |
Windows Vista Service Pack 13 |
Mac OS 10.5.x4 |
|---|
| Life Cycle |
Three years |
Three years |
| Estimated Price |
$700 - $1,1005 |
$900 - $1,0005 |
Value Desktop change history
Footnotes:
- 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.
- ISC strongly suggests that users of Value Desktops who intend to upgrade to Windows Vista or Windows 7 sometime during the system lifecycle either purchase a configuration with a discrete video card or purchase a system that can be upgraded later with a discrete video card.
- 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 Pack 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Value Desktop manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Apple and Dell.
If your school or department is considering a significant quantity of Value 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; 573-3567).
Low Cost PCs – Not Recommended
Price reductions resulting from market competition and continued technical innovation make the definition of "Low Cost PCs" a moving target. It is generally true, however, that computers priced in the bottom 30% of the current range (currently ranging from $300 to $700) 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, and that the costs associated with supporting these systems significantly outweigh the actual purchase price, ISC recommends that "Low Cost PCs" not be purchased for general use.
Desktop Recommendations
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