Value PC Buyer's Guide:
Recommendations for Fourth Quarter 2007-2008
Specifications effective April 2, 2008
Value PCs are defined by Information Systems & Computing (ISC) as PCs that meet the necessary requirements for a three year life cycle. Value PCs tend to cost between $750 and $1,250. Low cost PCs, which usually cost between $300 and $750 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 Systems
Specifications effective April 2, 2008
Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (10/1, 1/1, 4/1, 7/1) |
|---|
| |
Windows |
Mac OS |
| Hardware |
Processor |
Core 2 Duo E4500 (2.2 GHz)
or
Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (2.3 GHz)
|
Core Duo T2300 (1.66 GHz) or
Core 2 Duo T2400 (1.83 GHz) |
| Memory (RAM) |
1.5 GB |
1.5 GB |
| Hard Disk |
80 GB |
80 GB |
| Monitor & VRAM |
17-inch LCD
integrated video or 128 MB discrete video card1 |
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 |
High-bandwidth |
10/100BaseT Ethernet |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
| Low-bandwidth |
optional internal V.92 modem2 |
optional external V.92 modem2 |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Service Pack 2
or Windows Vista3 |
Mac OS 10.5.x4 |
|---|
| Support Period |
Until July, 2010 |
Until July, 2010 |
| Estimated Price |
$800 - $1,0005 |
$900 - $1,1005 |
Value PC change history
Footnotes:
- ISC strongly suggests that users of Value PCs who intend to upgrade to Windows Vista sometime during the workstation lifecycle either purchase a configuration with a discrete video card or purchase a system that can be upgraded later with a discrete video card.
- Systems that remain on Ethernet-connected portions of the University campus or use high-speed off-campus connectivity do not require modems.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
These specifications are sometimes revised in mid-quarter when major changes in configurations from Apple, Dell, and Lenovo become generally available. When this happens, the revision date is highlighted in red and both operating system categories are repriced.
Value PC manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Apple, Dell, and Lenovo.
If your school or department is considering a significant 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 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 $750) 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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