Hardware recommendations anyone?

[purge]

Hello,

We are a school and have been providing students with Acer Veriton M221 to use, but as we all know IT technology never stays still and these machines are getting too old. Can anyone recommend a good model to purchase? At least to last another 4 years or so.

The computers currently used are mainly for documentation and internet use.

Thanks

[Murf]

Well it depends on the grade level and obviously the budget. Chromebooks are good for the younger children. The DELL XPS series is a stable and reliable computer.

The Acer Aspire V Nitro has the big 17 inch screen, it is a powerfull all around laptop.

[purge]

Thanks we are looking for desktops, do you have some recommendations for desktop machines? We only want to just buy around 5 for students to use in the library every so often.

[Ensign Tzap]

{Scratches Head}
How are the current Acer Veriton M221 setup?


What Operating System is on them?

Do they have DVD/CD Roms?

What size & type of monitor is connected to them?

Do they have printers connected to them?

Are they networked together?

Make a list of all the features that the current systems have.

You'll have too take these things into account, when you look at replacement computers.

Sorry, I can't give you a definitive answer.


Signed: Ensign Tzap

[purge]

Hi there,

Thanks for the diagram. They are setup exactly like the diagram is shown.

The operating system we use now is : windows 7

They do have CD/ DVD access

They use 17 inch LCD monitors, connected to the base unit

They are all networked to a server, which provides printing

These machines are not heavily used, but they are getting very slow.

I think we could go for windows 8 machines

[Ensign Tzap]

Originally Posted by purge

Hi there,

Thanks for the diagram. They are setup exactly like the diagram is shown.

The operating system we use now is : windows 7

They do have CD/ DVD access

They use 17 inch LCD monitors, connected to the base unit

They are all networked to a server, which provides printing

These machines are not heavily used, but they are getting very slow.

I think we could go for windows 8 machines

If you go to Windows 8.
Your going to need too upgrade the Server to Windows 8, plus get licenses for each Windows 8 computer.

You can hold onto the Keyboards, Mice, and Monitors if they are still in good working order.
Just remember to note the type of connections they have.
Example:
Keyboard: PS/2 or USB.
Mouse: PS/2 or USB.
Video Out: DVI or SVGA.

So that the Replacement Computers you get have those same connectors on them.

You say the computers have gotten slow.
Can you post the spec's here?
OR
Go get http://www.piriform.com/speccy Speccy (from the makers of CCleaner).
Run it on one of the Acer Veriton M221 computers.
Then copy the results, and post them here.

I would like to see if you really need to replace the Acer Veriton M221's.
Or they just need some simple upgrades.


Signed: Ensign Tzap

[purge]

Thats a great idea,

Thanks for letting me know and I will do this tomorrow. It seems the CPU on these machines are AMD and are so slow, but will paste the results soon.

[purge]

Hello,

I ran Speccy. Here are the details

Operating System
Windows 7 Professional 32-bit SP1
CPU
AMD Athlon Neo MV-28 20 °C
Huron 65nm Technology
RAM
2.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 299MHz (5-5-5-15)

Motherboard
Acer RS740DV (AM2) 21 °C

Graphics
Hanns.G HW173 (1440x900@60Hz)
ATI video (Acer Incorporated [ALI])

Storage
149GB Seagate ST3160318AS ATA Device (SATA) 24 °C

Optical Drives
ATAPI DVD A DH16AASH ATA Device

Audio
High Definition Audio Device

[Murf]

Your current system:

AMD Athlon Neo MV-28 runs at 1.6Ghz has One core, which by todays standards is slow.

2GB Memory, board has a max of 4GB, however, running 32bit Windows 7 adding an additional 2GB for the max of 4 will only enable approximately 3.25GB as Windows 32bit cannot use the full 4gb, 64bit system needed for that.

Cannot find Processor compatibility for possible processor upgrade as the board is an older one and you would need to contact Acer directly.

Running Slow: can be caused by software, kids using these on the Internet, probably have malware/spyware, you just don't know. A thorough cleaning for spyware/malware may speed them up.

Unless you upgrade the operating system to a 64bit system, I would not invest money in additional memory or even a faster processor (if you can find an upgrade)

Acer makes quality products.

The computers currently used are mainly for documentation and internet use

So no need for tons of memory or high end graphics. I would be looking at

1. Windows 8 (which you will have a free upgrade to Windows 10
2. Minimum 4GB memory
3. Minimum dual core processor (Intel)
4. Have slots in front for USB/Microphone/headphone jack so students can use headphones if desired

The DELL OptiPlex series are excellent desktops for schools.

[Ensign Tzap]

Sorry, I'm late in responding.

I was looking at the Spec's you posted,
and was trying to determine a course of action too take.

These ACER's are older than what I was expecting.

Originally Posted by Murf

Your current system:

AMD Athlon Neo MV-28 runs at 1.6Ghz has One core, which by todays standards is slow.

2GB Memory, board has a max of 4GB, however, running 32bit Windows 7 adding an additional 2GB for the max of 4 will only enable approximately 3.25GB as Windows 32bit cannot use the full 4gb, 64bit system needed for that.

Cannot find Processor compatibility for possible processor upgrade as the board is an older one and you would need to contact Acer directly.

Just from what you listed, I'd forget about trying to upgrade these ACER's.

Originally Posted by Murf

Running Slow: can be caused by software, kids using these on the Internet, probably have malware/spyware, you just don't know. A thorough cleaning for spyware/malware may speed them up.

Yes, this is true.
But are these running Anti-Virus programs, and Fire Walls in the back ground?

Software Like McAfee, Zone Alarm, Norton, can really bog down a system.
Plus, Adobe, Video Card App's, Plug-ins, and other tools that sit in the Task Bar, will eat up Processor power and memory.

Not to mention drivers that Windows 7 is loading that, are not needed.

Originally Posted by Murf

Unless you upgrade the operating system to a 64bit system, I would not invest money in additional memory or even a faster processor (if you can find an upgrade)

Acer makes quality products.

The computers currently used are mainly for documentation and internet use

So no need for tons of memory or high end graphics. I would be looking at

1. Windows 8 (which you will have a free upgrade to Windows 10
2. Minimum 4GB memory
3. Minimum dual core processor (Intel)
4. Have slots in front for USB/Microphone/headphone jack so students can use headphones if desired

The DELL OptiPlex series are excellent desktops for schools.

The free upgrade to Windows 10 is available for Windows 7.
But NOT for Vista or older versions of Windows.

I agree that the Processors should be 64-Bit.
And that the Mother Boards should take more than 4GB.

Because at some point I see these computers going to a 64-Bit Operating System.

Thus, more memory is going too be needed for all the hungry App's.

Also, talk to your IT guy who is in charge of the Server.
Find out what kind of tweaking is going too be needed for it, when you upgrade these terminal nodes.


Signed: Ensign Tzap

[dollly]

What's the budget?

[dollly]

You'd better build one if you want desktops, or you can see here for laptops

[purge]

Thanks Everyone for giving me ideas and offering great advice.

I think I am looking at Dell Optiplex 3020 to replace these machines. The server won't be doing much accept sharing the printer.

Anyone feel the Optiplex 3020 is a good choice?

Thanks

[Ensign Tzap]

purge,

There are many different versions of the Dell Optiplex 3020.

Which version are you looking at?

I found this; OptiPlex (3020) Micro PC Desktop.

For the library it would be a good fit.
The only draw back is that it doesn't have a DVD/CD ROM Burner.
That may not be a problem if the students are only using USB Thumb Drives to store they're files on.


Signed: Ensign Tzap

[Digerati]

Have you contacted Dell or other maker's you are considering? These companies typically offer great deals (and advice) for schools and they partner with software companies (like Microsoft) to provide lots of decent software (Windows and Office, for example) too.