speckytecky Posted April 6, 2012 Posted April 6, 2012 Great thread, thanks, some very useful ideas. We are an EDB (Emotionally Disturbed Boys) school with a maximum class size of 8. Our computer breakage seem very much down to the supervision. We have one teacher who is rarely away and does a fantastic job supervising the lads and the kit in her classroom reflects this, on the other hand!!
multipoint Posted April 13, 2012 Posted April 13, 2012 Talk to VeryPC or CPL or Millgate, their cases are the best, and we and others I know understood the price premium. Their key differentiation between other system builders is in embedded sustainability; ie they aim to make kit that has as little impact on the environment in manufacture, use and disposal. For us in education I feel responsible for providing staff and students with a safe learning environment and ensuring we buy stuff that isn't smashing the planet up. They were £25 a unit more expensive than Stone on 150 desktop PCs but they saved us £14+/- a year per PC in electricity so over the 5 year warranty period (support is flipping excellent by the way from VeryPC) the TCO is lower than Stone. We're lucky in that our school business manager likes to consider the whole life cycle value of the product not just tell us to buy whatever is cheapest. From what I could tell when I was going through the buying process and marketing spiel for the BroadLeaf, the case was designed to be used in education and was thus made with education in mind, ie; built to last. Even the power button is tamper proof and with our school logo on them the kids have a sense of pride using them. Because they cost a bit more in year one the school thought it wise to build a lesson plan around sustainability and used the BroadLeafs as an example of environmentally efficient product so the message got out to parents and the local community too; how many school IT Managers can say that a product they bought has lead to improving the lives and knowledge of their students.? Apples and Oranges though guys, but I'd have no hesitation in recommending VeryPC to you even if you weren't looking for the durability. Also and this made my Head Master smile..... VeryPC are so confident in their build quality that when we come to refresh the PCs (4 years for us), they will take the BroadLeaf back, upcycle it by renewing the spec to one we will need in the future and return the PC to us all shiny rewarranted for another 5 years, thus saving us the cost of the original premium as most of the cost is in the reduction of hazardous stuff and in the manufacture of the enviro friendly case! Winner.
synaesthesia Posted April 13, 2012 Posted April 13, 2012 Interesting. There is a slight premium over others from the price we've had but it's far less than I had expected. Certainly pitchable to the schools involved!
DrCheese Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 Downside of the broadleaf PCs is that they are huge, Almost as big as the old full size PCs we had years ago. Just got one on trial here and it's much bigger than our old Dell GX620/740s (Small form factor, not ultra small form factor)
RTFM Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 Downside of the broadleaf PCs is that they are *huge* Almost as big as the old full size PCs we had years ago. Just got one on trial here and it's much bigger than our old Dell GX620/740s (Small form factor, not ultra small form factor) Broadleafs are no where near the same size as full size PC's...... :\ Unless your getting different broadleafs to what we have, but they only do one.....
DrCheese Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 The one we have looks nothing like the photo on their website.
RTFM Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 The one we have looks nothing like the photo on their website. Low Power PC | Low Energy PC | Energy Efficient PC | Low Power Computer | VeryPC This? The ones we have arent anywhere near the size of standard desktops......
DrCheese Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 Oui, looks nothing like that Those look shuttle PC sized. I'll upload a photo.
DrCheese Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) Pictures by DrCheese128 - Photobucket < Totally awesome iPhone shots >.> I wouldn't call them desktop sized, just bigger than what we're used to & something to bare in mind when it comes to room layout. Edited May 9, 2012 by DrCheese 1
RTFM Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) Pictures by DrCheese128 - Photobucket < Totally awesome iPhone shots >.> I wouldn't call them desktop sized, just bigger than what we're used to & something to bare in mind when it comes to room layout. Thats not a broadleaf its a BLD. You'll find a broadleaf would be smaller than the one on the right by a margin The BLD is a standard desktop size, but then its also cheaper than the broadleaf whilst still being as vandal proof. Edited May 9, 2012 by RTFM
DrCheese Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 ah, makes sense. I couldn't even find the one we've got on their website (I have now!) So I assumed it was just a newer version of that. It was the network manager that arranged the trial, so I'll talk to him about it. The broadleaf looks like it'd be taller (Laying flat down), but not as wide?
RTFM Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 ah, makes sense. I couldn't even find the one we've got on their website (I have now!) So I assumed it was just a newer version of that. It was the network manager that arranged the trial, so I'll talk to him about it. I dont think they have the BLD on the website, not sure why as it's the one we buy now as standard and is great. If you want a broadleaf on trial speak to them am sure they can send you one out, you'll be amazed how small it actually is when you see it and compare it to the ones you have in your photo 2
DrCheese Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 I dont think they have the BLD on the website It's hidden on the front page & there's a picture of it. But when you click it you get dumped to the Broadleaf page anyway. But yeah I'll talk to the NM about getting it changed.
Haptic Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 Hi all, Just to clarify, the standard Broadleaf Chassis is as pictured: Dimensions on this unit are 115 x 220 x 220 mm so it is very much in the USFF camp, the Broadleaf Desktop you've got on site is a bigger unit (Dimensions: Width 365mm, Depth 300mm, Height 105mm (with feet)). Not a problem for a demo/ requote on the smaller Broadleaf Chassis, please contact your account manager directly to arrange it. Thanks
RTFM Posted May 9, 2012 Posted May 9, 2012 I may take a picture of a broadleaf, BLD and Willow next to each other so people can see them all as we have all 3 models on site as well as some of the older BE units Will try find the time tomorrow.
RTFM Posted May 10, 2012 Posted May 10, 2012 (edited) http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t466/RossNewsome84/6ed1bad6.jpg On the left is a Willow, middle left is a BLD, middle right is a Broadleaf and on the right hand side is a mini media PC we bought to trial and ended up keeping hold of. Not sure they are still available but it was in my office so thought I would throw it in the picture You can see the comparitive sizes of the BLD and Broadleaf though. We havent got any laser branding on the Broadleaf but they do do it. Apologies for the rubbish along the front of the BLD, stupid smart water sticker! Our PAT tester has been suitable told NEVER put a sticker like that again!!!! Edited May 10, 2012 by RTFM 1
Arthur Posted May 10, 2012 Posted May 10, 2012 on the right hand side is a mini media PC we bought to trial and ended up keeping hold of. Not sure they are still available That's a Procase Noah 3988. There are a few places that still sell them.
RTFM Posted May 10, 2012 Posted May 10, 2012 That's a Procase Noah 3988. There are a few places that still sell them. Ahhh so not a very pc own case like the other 3. Fair enough
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