Desktop choice?

[pc-rebuilders]

I have a customer that needs five desktop computers for his office. They are not running a network and they are not on a domain. Everything they do is web-based. They want to run Windows 7 home premium and I have a choice of HP Dell or Lenovo. I've had very good luck with HP and Dell, but I've never tried Lenovo machine, your best preference? Getting them refurbished from Arrow Direct.

 

[pcmedicri]

HP junk
Dell junk
Lenovo win win

honestly if this is for office, I would get Lenovos since they are bullet proof.

I get a lot of dell and hp computers in my shop with all sorts of problems.

 

[Mokester]

They don't run a network? How do they all connect up to the interwebs?

Why Windows 7 home? The cost for Professional OS is not that much more. Lenovo makes decent machines...as does Dell...I don't really like HP desktop line...but that's just personal preference.

Maybe models they are looking at would help? Every manufacturer makes a crappy consumer line, and a more reliable business line. In general, for desktops I stick with Dell even though they are more expensive as I personally have had the least trouble when calling Dell Support. YMMV

 

[pcmedicri]

Also wouldn't windows 7 home premium be limited for business use? They wouldn't be able to run legacy applications due to no Windows xp mode.

 

[pc-rebuilders]

Also wouldn't windows 7 home premium be limited for business use? They wouldn't be able to run legacy applications due to no Windows xp mode.

This a small independent insurance company. No server and everything they do is web based.

 

[numnutz]

I would stick with Dell business class towers. Although I like the feel of lenovo laptops over Dell. I have had bad times with Lenovo warranty.

 

[Mainstay]

Dell Optiplex 9020's running Windows 7 Professional.

Lenovo's are nice too, no real complaints.

W7 Pro or Ultimate.

Pro gives business networking + RDP access.

Ultimate gives multi-monitor RDP.

But we don't want or use that?

OK, but for a minor cost increase it future proofs against that potential.

 

[Vicenarian]

Dell Optiplex

/thread

 

[TechPJC]

+1 for Lenovo.

 

[Ed_Zipper]

Why in the world are you not building your own desktops? It's about the easiest thing we do.

 

[Bootman 650]

We kitted a whole office out with Lenovo desktop's a while back. Next to no problems at all.

 

[ArtemusComputerTechnology]

Thumbs up for Lenovo.

 

[pc-rebuilders]

Why in the world are you not building your own desktops? It's about the easiest thing we do.

This customer is on the cheap! He wants refurbished! To build one, too high on the price. Parts + COA license is twice the money! Not buying Pro licens because this office will never want or need a server etc.

 

[cypress]

Check out the DELL Outlet.

I personally would go with the Dell Optiplex business line running Windows 7 Pro. Should be able to find some good deals on there. I am assuming that they are just on a Peer to Peer Network since everything they do is Web based.

Price out the desktops first though. Did he happen to give you a budget on this project?

 

[SAG]

Why in the world are you not building your own desktops? It's about the easiest thing we do.

For a lot of us, the profit doesn't constitute the labor for a standard office pc build.
Point->Click->Order.... collect commission and markup.

To me, it beats the hell out of playing adult-legos with a bunch of PC parts to not reap any gains that the customer will even see.

Dell Optiplex with 3yr-NBD warranty for my clients when possible.

 

[mrapoc]

Used to build in my last job...after an hour or so of building installing testing... Profit gone. Then you can get DOA parts. Warranty and cashback makes more sense.

 

[Metanis]

Can't get much cheaper...

Dell Optiplex 755 Refurb $189.00 with 7HomePrem

http://www.osicomputers.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=755S-2.66

 

['putertutor]

Dell optiplex. Never had a problem. Lenovo's are solid too, but for my $ Dell is the better way to go, especially if you are looking at refurbs. Definitely get a business class machine, not some $200 cheapy. If your customer is cheap, educate them. I've had the same and I simply tell them I won't sell anything less than [insert brand/model here] to a business.

And I would definitely go with win7 pro, not home. Just because they don't run a server, doesn't mean they'll never want to share files/folders easily. There's a reason they're called home and pro.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

And if he gets things really going well, he may decide later to add NAS devices or use FreeNAS on an older box. He might appreciate some of the extra network features later.

 

[Metanis]

Dell optiplex. Never had a problem. Lenovo's are solid too, but for my $ Dell is the better way to go, especially if you are looking at refurbs. Definitely get a business class machine, not some $200 cheapy. If your customer is cheap, educate them. I've had the same and I simply tell them I won't sell anything less than [insert brand/model here] to a business.

And I would definitely go with win7 pro, not home. Just because they don't run a server, doesn't mean they'll never want to share files/folders easily. There's a reason they're called home and pro.

I have to respectfully disagree. The OP was quite specific they use nothing but web apps. For their purposes the Pro version buys them absolutely nothing that they NEED or will USE. Why give Bill Gates even more money than he already has?

Seriously, the bits are the same between the 2 versions. Sure, M$ has purposely rendered parts of the Home version more inaccessible, but there are plenty of fixes available such as the use of a local NAS if they ever need that capability.