Baseline workstation specification

[u8dmtm]

Wouldn't it be useful if there was an EduGeek facility which displayed up to date sugested baseline workstation specifications for different educational purposes (e.g. standard ICT suite, DT machine, Music machine) and for different platforms.

 

This might help people who are unsure about what level of spec/value to go for.

 

Here's my suggested machine spec for general use ICT suite (Windows) PCs:

 

- Pentium IV 3.0Ghz

- 1GB RAM

- 80GB HDD

- 128mb discrete graphics

- 17ins Hard-glass TFT or 17ins CRT

- Optical corded mouse

- Black colour scheme (hides the fingerprints better)

- 10/100/1000 NIC

- Onsite warranty (if not covered by other SLA)

 

Justifed by the need to future proof for Vista, provide a fast platform that can deal with any classroom software, will last for reasonable period of time (e.g. 4/5 years)

[ChrisH]

I dream of such a spec

[SteveT]

I dream of such a spec

 

I won`t tell you what I dream about.....and a keyboard can come in handy sometimes!!!

 

on a more serious note..... front mounted USB and headphone sockets are a must nowadays. MoBo must be PXE and USB bootable.

[ajbritton]

Try these...

 

- BIOS must be password protectable

- All drivers to be supplied on CD-ROM or folder on HDD

- Windows XP / Vista complient (when available)

- Intel / 3COM LOM or NIC (you don't want the hassle I've had with SiS)

- Sufficient free memory slots so that existing RAM can be doubled with no wastage

- Security loop to fix unit to desk/wall etc.

- Secure case (Dells are a bit too easy to open OOTB)

[u8dmtm]

.....and a keyboard can come in handy sometimes!!!

 

Something of a no-brainer though?

[thom]

I agree. You efinately don't want to get less than 1GB of RAM nowadays

 

But why not AMD CPUs? They are cheaper to begin with, perform better when compared to equivalent Intels and also cheaper to upgrade later.

[Geoff]

But why not AMD CPUs? They are cheaper to begin with, perform better when compared to equivalent Intels and also cheaper to upgrade later.

 

AMD64's also run a lot cooler. An important consideration when you have a roomful of them.

[Andrew_C]

Wake on LAN

For MFL lab, full AC97 sound (duplex)

[Dos_Box]

I would not get P4s'. They are hot, slow and about to be binned (as a failed product) because the new core range kicks them into touch (PIII architecture too). I would have no qualms about going down the AMD route though as they are cheaper and give more bang for your buck. I would look at the Pentium D or any Intel duel processor chip though if you are tied to an Intel mentality.

[Ric_]

DUAL not 'duel'!!!!

 

My baseline spec is:

* 400MHz VIA/Transmeta processor

* 128MB RAM

* 64MB ROM

* HP

* 17" glass-front TFT (AG Neovo)

 

I'm standardising everything to HP since I don't have any problems with it... the low spec is due to the nature of thin client terminals

[russdev]

well once worked it out add it to the wiki

 

Russ

[free4440273]

@thom: don't you effing 'efinately' me! how dare you!

[plexer]

I've been buying NEC machines lately 2.9ghz processor, 512mb ram, 40-80gb h/drive, optical mice, hard glass neovo 17" tft's all black so look nice.

 

Ben

[Geoff]

You might want to spec up some 3d acclerated graphics card (mid range nvidia or ati is fine) if you want to be vista proof.

[CyberNerd]

You might want to spec up some 3d acclerated graphics card (mid range nvidia or ati is fine) if you want to be vista proof.

 

Most of my machines are already 'vista proof' - they'll never run vista !

b.t.w Isn't vista going to need DirectX10 hardware support ?? is this available?

[Geoff]

Isn't vista going to need DirectX10 hardware support ?? is this available?

 

Only in BillyG's mind.

[ajbritton]

I thought Vista would work without the ultimate in video hardware but just not give you translucent windows (big *$% deal!)

[ajbritton]

Google for 'vista hardware requirements' and follow the link to Microsoft. (sorry, my TV based browser won't let me copy the hyperlink!)

[Ric_]

Something at http://www.nvidia.com/page/technology_vista_main.html too about graphics and Vista.

[CyberNerd]

sounds like to get full vista support I'll need a DX10 graphics card but will retain some backwards compatibility -except with OpenGL that is.

Can't imagine DX10 will be ported to 2k/XP though.

[Geoff]

why not, everything else has.

[CyberNerd]

Its all speculation until MS announce it, but I get the impression DirectX10/WGF2.0 is a major re-write and will be a good reason for gamers to upgrade. XP will probably get a few more updates to DX but I imagine they'd save the core graphics changes for vista only - otherwise why buy it.

 

http://news.softpedia.com/news/DirectX-10-and-so-it-ends-7762.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1841223,00.asp

[Geoff]

No, it's just implemented slightly differently in Vista. Vista will have DX10 with a DX9 compatability layer. XP gets a version DX10 which will install alongside DX9. Thus XP is actually better for gaming because they didn't break OpenGL support.

[Richie1972]

I don't see any reason to go to Vista for about 2 years anyway.

All our existing software works fine on XP, all software in the pipeline for the next few years will have to support XP for the majority of people out there.

Vista won't offer us anything new in an educational area and i wouldn't touch a new OS until SP1 came out just to make sure it was stable enough for our environment.

Our PCs are pretty much all Celeron P4 2.0GHz up to a couple of P4 3.2GHz, so they should at least handle the basics if, in a few years time, we decide to go over to Vista