Advice: New desktop PCs

[gwendes]

We'll be replacing around 300 computers over the next few months. Single model everywhere.

 

What has been particularly problem free for you? Considering a custom build from somewhere like Novatech so can be specific with a decent board and SSD...

 

But, we've had some Dell Optiplex 790s recently that have been generally good.

 

What would you go for, realistic or (slightly) ideally?

[PotNoodleTech]

For pupil PCs went for Dell OptiPlex 3020 with 128GB SSD. Storming fast, cheap, reliable, well built, 5 yr warranty. Very happy! Saying that bit of a dell shop here as they're so good, also got 7010, 790, 780, and believe it or not some GX520 still going strong after 8 years. (being replaced before April!)

[3s-gtech]

Had good results with the HP Elite 8000 series and newer. Stable, well built, nicely designed cases, quick, works nicely with FOG. All I ever need anyway.

[sonofsanta]

Novatech and Stone have been brilliant for us, and though we've not bought anything from them yet, VeryPC are my third supplier of choice.

 

As you say, being able to specify exactly what you want is fantastic - we'll usually state the exact SSD we want used, last time out we needed DisplayPort on the motherboards, we'll look at dual-channel memory... I'd never buy an off-the-shelf PC again.

 

Warranty support from Novatech has been brilliant; not yet needed any from Stone (though their support with the initial order and teething problems therein was great) and VeryPC certainly have a good reputation round these parts.

 

Custom built in the UK. It's the only real way to buy computers for your school

[Stone_Charli]

Thanks for the shout-out @sonofsanta!

@gwendes we've got a range of desktops of all shapes and sizes that can all be custom built to your specifications: Desktops for Education and the Public Sector | Stone Group Our most popular is the Ultra Small Form Factor.

 

Feel free to drop me a PM if you'd like any more info or I can get one of our account managers to do you a quote!

 

Thanks,

 

Charli

[NikChillin]

For pupil PCs went for Dell OptiPlex 3020 with 128GB SSD. Storming fast, cheap, reliable, well built, 5 yr warranty. Very happy! Saying that bit of a dell shop here as they're so good, also got 7010, 790, 780, and believe it or not some GX520 still going strong after 8 years. (being replaced before April!)

 

Ditto here, Dell all round, good support and reliable machines.

[Oaktech]

I'm plenty happy with @ICTDirect_Dave 's Lenovo M90p machines - particularly because Lenovo offer a full SCCM driver pack for them!

[ICTDirect_Dave]

I'm plenty happy with @ICTDirect_Dave 's Lenovo M90p machines - particularly because Lenovo offer a full SCCM driver pack for them!

 

They're bloomin lovely machines and the price is fantastic.

 

Even better now is the HP 8200 that I've got hundreds of. Only £240 each (before Bulk Order Discount) as well. Same spec as the Dell 790's with the Sandy Bridge i5

 

That not good enough? How about brand new HP EliteDesk 800 G1's? Sealed Box with a Haswell i3 CPU, all for £295? - http://www.ict-direct.co.uk/hp-elitedesk-800-g1-tower-boxed-new.html

 

Drop me a PM or give me a call if you want a chat about any of them?

[gwendes]

Thanks everyone

[JHill]

For pupil PCs went for Dell OptiPlex 3020 with 128GB SSD. Storming fast, cheap, reliable, well built, 5 yr warranty. Very happy! Saying that bit of a dell shop here as they're so good, also got 7010, 790, 780, and believe it or not some GX520 still going strong after 8 years. (being replaced before April!)

 

Have to agree, DELL were the best option for us on all fronts, we used one of their premier partners rather than Direct which turned out to be very successful!

[john]

The HPs Dave is selling are nice bits of kit, and you get full SCCM driver packs for HP and Dell as we pull them down for our kit so you can get them no issues for the newer kit

 

I would personally grab the HP as I find it more robust in construction which was key in schools