Posted: 3/10/2008 1:10:21 PM EDT
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Our PD is getting a grant to help buy new computers for the office. We are looking at buying 10-15 computers to replace a hodge-podge of equipment currently in place. We have a network in place now with each room wired for internet and are capable of being network together. What would be a good source for bids? I'm looking at Dell, Gateway and the local computer shop. The local guy can give us the support we need. Also. we need to look at the type of software that we need. I hate to buy all new Vista stuff and the then run into software compatibility problems. I don't do this for a living but I am smart enough to ask for help when I need it. I have learned the more questions you ask at the start of a project, the less you will have to answer at the end of it. Any ideas out there? Thoughts? |
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Dell and HP come to mind first off. Most resellers can arrange for Vista to be removed and WinXP to be installed still. Aside from that, i'd think that Microsoft Office and Adobe Reader would be the main applications needed for a PD (that aren't LE specific) as well as anti-virus/spyware, etc support. Do I take this to mean you don't have a department/city IT staff to maintain these once they get into place? What about the network itself and the perimeter (read firewalls). If not, that scares me. |
How big of a PD are you? For a smaller department, skip the 'big guys' and find a local vendor to work with... You will get better support & a better deal... |
We have no IT department per say, I don't have the title but I do a lot of the work.  I work in the maintenance dept. and we just built a new municipal /Police Dept/Emergency Dispatch call center/Council Chamber building in town. Lot of uses for one building but it's light years from where we came from. I was there acting as the liaison between the town and the various contractors who did the work. I figured that I would be here after they left so I'd better know how things were installed. Don't worry about security. With VCIN in the building, we had to do quite a bit of security for that system. I just heard about the grant today so a lot of details are yet to be worked out. I'm leaning on the "local guy" to help with support. They are some good guys to deal with but dealing with public funds can get tricky when you have to spend money. Bids and Notices have to be put out, not to mention making sure all equipment is covered by the guidelines. It sometimes comes down to the bean counters to figure it out, we try to avoid that if possible. State Contract pricing has helped in the past with things. |
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Dell but stay away from their Home side. Go through small business. Vostro is a very good value laptop line if you are wanting those. Price, nothing is going to match dell. I've had bad experiences with the local shops in my area as they install pirated software and then swap out parts for cheaper knockoffs on the inside. Stay away from Dell home though. Dell govt deals have got to be very attractive I am guessing. Gateway is so much bloatware that I will never touch them again. Local guy will help you with computers that dont have extra junk loaded on which will make computers sluggish. If you don't know anything or have anyone to help with your network then it makes a ton of sense to go with the local guy. If you want a good virus package go with NOD32, stay away from any norton and mcaffee and so on. |
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As everyone has said, Dell Vostro systems are GREAT value. Their ONE drawback is that they don't offer a 4-hour warranty, only a NBD. Don't go with the local vendor unless he's your brother-in-law and you can beat his ass when he leaves on vacation and you can't get a hard drive replaced. I used to be the local guy, now I stay away from the local guy for many reasons. Big companies have great warranties. Let the local guy install your phone system and rewire your jacks. Stay away from "Free" antivirus and antispyware. Get Symantec Corporate edition. They have good government pricing. Yes, that's completely different from Norton. The Symantec line is for business. Norton for home. Your county govt. should have contracts for software like MS Office, and you should be able to get it at a ridiculous rate. Non-profit pricing is like $15/copy for Office Pro, and .GOV isn't much more. No, I'm not kidding. Last thing to remember, and VERY important: You can only network 10 machines together in a Workgroup environment. If you plan on having more than 10 (including the server) you will need to use a Domain Structure. Plenty of help on that if you need, including the extra licensing that is MANDATORY. |
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I worked for Dell for years, and thier systems can be pretty hard to beat for the money... that's thier game, high-vol/low-cost. What is the concern, cost, security, features...??? Also, for 10-15 computers, and them all be networked, you are probably going to need a server as windows work group networking wont allow that. I would certainly recommend calling a couple of local network integrators/consultants to get some bids on what they recommend... and don't always be scared of what costs a little more up front as it can save thousands in hourly fees if it's done right. |
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I agree on going Dell's small business route. I don't know what the planned life cycle is going to be expected on these workstations, but if you're pushing 3 years or more, I hardly expect a local shop to have the same replacement cpu/ motherboard in stock when a pc does go down in six months let alone 3 years. After all, if you're getting rid of the hodgepodge of computer makes/ models to go with a standard pc for the entire office, you don't want to be back in that situation a few months down the road. As for application compatibility, you may want to take an audit of what's in use, and check with the product vendor's sites or offices if you're unsure if they'll run fine under Vista. You'll have to consider this into your upgrade budget as well. As for local IT support, if you're on a tight budget, I've found some larger businesses will donate time and resources as part of a community service program. It's good PR. I wouldn't rely on it completely, but it's nice to know it's available. The place I work for has donated equipment and services to local townships and other non-profits in the past, so there's a chance there's something in your area.. |