Recommendation for low-end desktop PC for office environment
I work for a small non-profit organization (it's an animal shelter). We have about 50 desktop PCs all running Windows XP Pro. Most of the machines are used mainly for accessing web-based apps, with maybe a little bit of word processing thrown in. Some of the computers are seven or eight years old. They're slow, and I just had a hard drive fail a couple of months ago.
I want to upgrade the ten oldest machines, but the budget is really tight right now. Donations are down, the endowment is doing poorly, etc. I'm getting pressured to pinch pennies.
What would people recommend for a low-end, inexpensive desktop system that would run Windows 7? (I don't care about Aero.) Hopefully, the PCs would have a useful lifespan of at least four years.
I'm not necessarily looking for a recommendation for a specific vendor (although that would be nice). Even just basic specs would be helpful so that I can get price quotes.
Thanks in advance.
I want to upgrade the ten oldest machines, but the budget is really tight right now. Donations are down, the endowment is doing poorly, etc. I'm getting pressured to pinch pennies.
What would people recommend for a low-end, inexpensive desktop system that would run Windows 7? (I don't care about Aero.) Hopefully, the PCs would have a useful lifespan of at least four years.
I'm not necessarily looking for a recommendation for a specific vendor (although that would be nice). Even just basic specs would be helpful so that I can get price quotes.
Thanks in advance.
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For the uses you indicate, any modern computer would do the job.
Just make sure you get 2GB of RAM, preferably 4GB. A low end graphics card would be a plus.
Just make sure you get 2GB of RAM, preferably 4GB. A low end graphics card would be a plus.
I agree the Vostro line is good for your expected use. I personally had a Vostro 200 that served me well for years and I really did more intense uses on it such as 3D and gaming (added a video card to it and it held stable).
Good luck,
Anthony
Good luck,
Anthony
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ASKER
Vallis, thanks for the tips. I'd go with Linux, but one of our web apps requires Internet Explorer.
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ASKER
Thank you for all the great advice. Sorry that I left this question open for so long. I will close it now. Thanks again!
ASKER
Thanks!
http://www.nextag.com/All--PRICE-Under-300--zzdesktop+computerz1zB3mz5---html
Many acceptable deals there. You will have better luck with name brands, in my humble opinion, simply because the parts will be available longer for lifecycle and support reasons.