Teachers Computer upgrade, advice needed please.

[lionsl2005]

Hi Guys

We are aiming to upgrade teachers pcs. Currently we have dell Optiplex 620 USFF with Windows XP. Looking to replace with Optiplex 990 USFF or 980 USFF. Do you have any advice on this purchase. next Question is to go for Win 7 professional or Win 8?

[Gibson335]

Can't advise on the PCs as we use Stone. On the OS...well, my standard rule is not to deploy a new OS until at least after its first SP, but others may disagree. The OS in a school is somewhat odd - here it's used pretty much as the gateway to other things, so it's less relevant insofar as its bells and whistles. I like 7 and find it stable, so we'll be sticking with for the time being and new stations this year will be 7, too.

[hardtailstar]

cant help with pc specs as we have gone with Stone too.

Use Win 7, ive seen some schools having problems with Win 8 on whiteboards

[VeryPC_Tom_M]

I'd suggest using Windows 7 as well.

At least then the interface for the teachers will be familiar, unlike the one in Windows 8.

Depending on which version(s?) of Office you are running, you should be ready to field the "Where do I find 'x' on the Ribbon?" questions which inevitably crop up.

[JHLEHS]

Stick with 7 as it is stable Windows 8 I feel is designed more for mobile devices and touch screen devices.

[pete]

Assuming there's no price difference, go for Windows 8 and use downgrade rights to run 7 in case you decide to give 8 a whirl.

[SYNACK]

Assuming there's no price difference, go for Windows 8 and use downgrade rights to run 7 in case you decide to give 8 a whirl.

+1 no sense in buying backwards when it probably costs less and gets the same end result.

[lionsl2005]

Interesting to know some other pc makes in terms of cost , What is your specs on Stone PC, we can look in to other pc makes as well.

[slugshead]

The 990 USFFs are the same cases as the 790/7010's too. They are nice, quite small but they are nice.

The price suddenly jumps up when you want to get the monitor stand that can accomodate them.

I prefer the DT cases myself. They just look better since they are a normal size.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

We've been helping a lot of teachers upgrade to HP 8000 Series SFF desktops lately. High-end Core2Duo 4GB DDR3 and windows 7 Pro is usually more than enough spec wise and at a fraction of the cost per unit.