techie211 Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 hey ppl, I just started a new job at a school district in NJ. One of the schools has a lab of 25 computers. I was told to spec out new computers for this lab. This district is all Dell so I was looking at the Optiplex 790 Desktop edition. I was just wondering what some of you have running in your labs. I really don't want bulky towers and was wondering if the Small Form Factor models would work fine. Also with the desktop model the CD drive caddy is vertical and was wondering if this may be an issue with kids inserting the disc into the drive..?? It's an elementary school and they will be using MS Office plus some third party kids apps. Any input on this is appreciated.
K.C.Leblanc Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) We've got HP DC7800/DC7900 ultra slims with the integrated work stand (and some older DC7600/7700s). Very happy with them, however they do use laptop CD drives which I'd imagine small kids would find tricky. That said I can't think of an occasion when our student need to use the drives. Edited July 11, 2011 by K.C.Leblanc 1
techie211 Posted July 11, 2011 Author Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) Hi K.C.Leblanc, thanks for the reply. what type of lab are the DC7800/7900 used for? and how may per lab? I'm just curious about the performance from the ultra slims. Also, how do you have these setup? vertically next to monitors or under monitors? trying to find best layout to save space..lol Edited July 11, 2011 by techie211
sonofsanta Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) Not Dells here, but all the SFF cases stood vertically behind the monitors. Students use CDs so infrequently it's not an issue, and the rooms look much neater/more spacious for the small cases. Heat is not really a problem for the low end innards you'll get in them (in comparison to a high end gaming PC, I mean). EDIT: in short, no reason not to go SFF, the price difference is usually minimal (about £10) and it's well worth that. Edited July 11, 2011 by sonofsanta 1
teejay Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 We've used a mix of SFF Dells in the 700 series for about 5 years, no performance difference from the full size version. I don't know about the Ultra SFF ones they do, never tried them as the SFF ones are fine for us. They've been very reliable, we have around 400 of them and apart from vandalism problems we've had 3 failures in total on them over the last 4 years. 1
3s-gtech Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 We specced DC7900 SFFs for a Technology lab - decent spec C2D, discrete graphics, 4GB RAM. No performance issues at all for the software they use including 3D CAD etc. Nice and compact - chosen as the desks in that lab are small. 1
techie211 Posted July 11, 2011 Author Posted July 11, 2011 very useful info. getting a quote from Dell rep for the Optiplex 790 SFF. thanks again for the replies
somabc Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 We have 7900 slimlines mounted behind monitors and I say go for it they are powerful, reliable and good for space saving.
FN-GM Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Im the past i have used Dell Ultra Small Form Factor. I have just ordered a pile of Optiplex 790 Ultra Small Form Factors. When they arrive i will feedback
K.C.Leblanc Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) EDIT: They use external PSUs like laptops, we managed to hide ours under the desks. Edited July 11, 2011 by K.C.Leblanc 1
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