Need to select new work computers

[Rhazdel]

Hello, everyone.

I am working for a small, home-run business and my boss asked me to help pick out two computers for work. She knows very little about computers, and I am mediocre in my computer knowledge, so we could definitely use some expert advice.

We need to buy 2 computers, which will need to do basic networking. I can set up a basic home network, which should be sufficient, as we just need to access spreadsheets from both computers (not simultaneously) and maybe access an OpenOffice database (possibly simultaneously). Other than that, the computers will be basically running company email (Gmail), multiple Microsoft Word documents and a few other programs. Nothing too hardware intensive.

Because it is for a small business, we don't want to spend a whole lot of money for a top-of-the-line supercomputer, since we are fairly low-tech, but definitely want to upgrade from our Pentium 4.

I've narrowed my search down to about 6 choices below.

Both computers will be running Windows 7 Home Premium (I don't think Pro is necessary, since we won't be operating on a domain). The prices I have listed are approximations for 2 computers and various other software and anti-virus. I only post them to give an estimate on pricing differences.

eMachine EL1352
AMD Athlon II X2
2.70 GHz processor
512 + 512 die on Level 2
4000 MHz system bus
4 GB DDR3
500 GB SATA 7200 RPM harddrive
Logitech S120 speakers (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-S120-2-0-Multimedia-Speakers/dp/B000R9AAJA/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header)
Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
AOC 2036s 20" LCD monitor (http://us.aoc.com/monitor_display/2036s)
60,000:1 contrast ratio
From Best Buy
1 year limited hardware & software
$1,439.17

Acer AX1301
AMD Athlon II X3 Triple-Core 425
2.70 GHz processor
1.5 MB L2 Cache
4 GB DDR2 800 MHz memory
750 GB SATA 7200 RPM harddrive
Logitech S120 speakers
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ port)
AOC 2036s 20" LCD monitor
60,000:1 contrast ratio
From Sam's Club
1 year limited parts & labor
$1,503.89

Dell Vostro 230 Mini
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500
2.93 GHz processor
3 MB L2 Cache
1066 MHz FSB
2GB Non-ECC 1333MHz DDR3
320 GB SATA 7200 RPM harddrive, 16 MB cache
Dell AX210 speakers
Integrated 10/100/1000
Dell 18.5" E1910H flat panel monitor
1,000:1 contrast ratio
From Dell
3 year Pro hardware & Software
$1,374.48

Presario CQ5500Y
AMD Sempron 140
2.7 GHz processor
1 MB on die Level 2
4000 MHz system bus
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM
500 GB SATA 7200 RPM harddrive
Built-In Speakers
Built-in 10/100 Base-T Ethernet LAN
Compaq 20" Widescreen flat panel display
1,000:1 native, 5,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
From Best Buy
1 year limited warranty hardware & software
$1,288.09

Dell Optiplex 380 Minitower
Intel Pentium Core-2 Duo E7500
2.93 GHz processor
3 MB L2 Cache
2GB Non-ECC 1333MHz DDR3
250 GB SATA 3.0 Gb/s and 8 MB Data Burst cache
Dell AX210 speakers
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Dell E1910 flat panel 19" monitor
1,000:1 contrast ratio
From Dell
3 year Pro hardware & software
$1,545.07

HP Pavilion AY590
AMD Athlon 215 Dual-Core
2.70 GHz processor
1 MB L2 Cache
4000 MHz system bus
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM
500 GB SATA harddrive
Logitech S120 speakers
10/100 Base-T Network
HP 2009m 20" flat panel monitor
1,000:1 contrast resolution
From Sam's Club
1 year limited hardware & software
$1,404.79


I greatly appreciate any input. Thank you all for your help!

- Rhazdel

 

[johnb35]

My vote would be for the Dell vostros since you say it has a 3 yr warranty.

You don't need to go with triple core as you won't be doing gaming and you really don't want the sempron processor cause it would be slow for what you want to do.

However, if it was me, I would actually build the new systems and provide my own support and warranty as you'll get a 3 year warranty on the motherboard, cpu, and monitor, lifetime warranty on memory and usually a year on everything else except for maybe video card.