(This article was originally written by Rob Lather and published at www.smallbusinesscomputing.com)
Introduction
Buying small business computers can affect business
profitability, efficiency and employee productivity in profound ways and -- as
with purchasing a new car – the trade-offs between the options and accessories
are not as simple as shrugging your shoulders and lamenting, "You get what you
pay for." Just like a new car owner, small business owners are within their
rights to expect their small business computers to be user-friendly, functional
and, perhaps most importantly, to always work. While not everyone requires the
extravagance of a Bentley, most people need more than a Smart Car. Fortunately,
innumerable choices exist in the middle. Therefore, any IT purchase,
particularly for desktop or notebook PCs, should always start with one question:
“What will provide the maximum amount of business efficiency at a price I can
afford?”
Three Essential Small Business Computer Specs
When evaluating new computers, first
consider what specifications will best serve the application needs of the person
using it. Often, organizations buy more capacity than necessary.
Conversely, in the name of frugality, businesses frequently buy equipment that
doesn’t have the computing power to absorb the software upgrades they are likely
to see over the three-plus year life of a desktop or notebook computer.
Think long term, and consider the following three variables at the start of your
purchase decision:
Processing speed: The speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz), of a computer processor determines how quickly applications run. Naturally, the greater number of cores – internal processors – the faster a computer will operate. In general, computers today contain at least a dual-core but can increase to quad- or six-core, as need requires.
Memory: Random Access Memory (RAM) is the computer’s short-term, internal memory that loads and runs applications and manipulates data. Everything written to RAM is lost when you turn off the computer. Adding more RAM reduces the number of times the computer must read code and data from the hard disk in order to complete a task, which allows a computer to work faster
Storage: The amount of storage (gigabytes, or GB) within your computer determines how much information you can save on the computer’s hard drive. The more software applications and data you save on your computer, the more storage capacity you need.
Assessing Small Business Computer Requirements
Evaluate your business’s need for
each variable independently, beginning with an assessment of the software’s
minimum system requirements. It is important to note that the specifications on
the side of the software package or on the manufacturer’s website are typically
the bare minimum required to operate an application, and in isolation at that.
Do not buy a computer meeting only the minimum
requirement for an operating system (OS), for example, and expect it to run
efficiently with a handful of applications and a Web browser running on top of
the OS. But there are some valid trade offs to consider when you increase your
hardware specs beyond the minimum.
For example, for small business computers that will only run a productivity
suite of office applications (Microsoft Office or Apple’s iWork, for example)
you should consider buying two-to-three times the software manufacturer’s stated
minimum RAM requirement, so you can be confident the computer will operate
smoothly and quickly when you (or your employee) has many documents,
spreadsheets and Internet browser windows open simultaneously.
Skimp on the RAM, and you may slow your
employees to a crawl -- hardly productive or efficient use of their time,
and in the long run, their time is costing you much more than the extra up-front
RAM investment will. However, on that same computer, you can probably afford to
give up a little processor speed, because the computing tasks are relatively
simple. If you are attaching that same computer to a network with central
storage, then you only need enough hard disk for the software applications
you’ll install and the associated upgrades you reasonably expect over the life
of the computer. Add a small margin for a little data, but remember that huge
hard disks only discourage wise use of network storage.
Should you be in the market for a computer to support graphic design, photo and
video editing, computer-assisted design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) or
proprietary or specialized software applications, think big. Because of the
volume of data these types of applications manipulate, computers that host them
will need a healthy dose of all three variables -- processor speed, RAM, and
hard disk -- to support the large, active project files as well as the software.
A good starting point for all prospective buyers is
evaluating the minimum system requirements for the applications you use and
comparing it with the computers you are considering for purchase. As an
example, the new Windows 7 OS requires at least a 1 GHz or faster processor, 2
GB RAM and 20 GB available hard disk space.
Microsoft Office 2007 for Business is more modest, requiring just a 500 MHz
processor (that’s 0.5 GHz -- pretty slow), 256 MB of RAM (or .256 GB) and 2 GB
of hard disk space. Your best bet for long term productivity and hassle-free
operation is to size your computer to at least twice the sum of the combined
specs of the OS and productivity suite (in our example, 3 GHz processor, 4 GB of
RAM, and – to be practical – at least 44 GB of hard disk storage space).
Internet browsing, especially playing
video or audio online, is a RAM hog and can slow a computer significantly
-- so, if your business requires Internet capabilities, consider whether
authorized use of your equipment will include Internet browsing, and if so, what
kind of resources the computer needs in order to browse at a reasonable pace.
Take Your Pick: Desktop or Notebook PC
Once you have determined the requirements your hardware needs
to perform effectively based on your business needs, it’s time to decide between
a desktop and a notebook.
Desktops usually provide powerful computing performance at a reasonable cost, so
they remain the best value for non-mobile workers. On the other hand, the
mobility notebook PCs provide can increase productivity and add business
resilience if your or your employees travel or the business location closes down
unexpectedly. Workers with mobile capabilities can continue working, helping
your business avoid significant, costly downtime.
Finally, consider the following tips as you near
your buying decision:
Jump in the Pool: Industry consortia and buying groups pool
their resources to set up purchasing agreements with vendors. Buying through a
group can offer you significant volume discounts, even as a small organization.
However, you may need to compromise on your equipment specifications in order to
get the best prices, so this avenue won’t be effective for every product you
buy.
Buy in Bulk: Purchasing hardware or software in volume can
decrease the overall price per unit, based on manufacturer incentives, and you
don’t necessarily have to buy hundreds or thousands of units to reap the
benefits. Sometimes simply buying five units helps bring the price down. If you
require more than one unit, don’t be afraid to ask about discounts.
Go to Plan B: Almost all resellers have some secondary stock (a
"B" stock) of unopened, returned equipment. Though the equipment is returned for
various reasons, most vendors evaluate the equipment to ensure that it is in
working order. As returns are harder to sell, resellers will often provide very
good deals to eliminate their "B" stock. Always ask a sales representative what
is available in "B" stock
Whether your business needs small business computers that perform like Porsches
or pickup trucks, don’t be taken for a ride by a great price on clunkers, and
don’t buy the Porsche just to show it off. Buy exactly the right vehicle for the
loads you plan to carry and the speeds you want to drive.