Recommendation for all-in-one-pcs and laptops for public use

[tyrionlannister]

I'm going to have to draft specifications for a public tender for all-in-one-pcs and laptops. The requirements would be  typical for office work for the all-in-one-pcs, and a small screen, like 14' or 15 and good battery life for the laptops. The budget constraints would be $1000 for both the PCs and the laptop per unit.

An alternative for the all-in-one-pcs could be a small factor PC with a minimal desk footprint. For the desktop, it would need to include moniror, mouse, keyboard and have low noise emission.

I'd like to have suggestions for good quality and reliable units as the most important aspect.

Thanks! 

[Freedom Kira]

At work I'm using an HP EliteBook 8440p. Pretty damn good. I have no idea how much they spent on it. I also never use the battery (it's kept out of the laptop at all times), but EliteBooks are supposed to have battery lives nearing 10 hours (there's one model that HP claimed went over 10 hours).

[Mistgun_Zero]

^^Checked the EliteBook out, gotta say it's pretty cool and it can serve easily as an all-in-one pc

[fohfoh]

^^Checked the EliteBook out, gotta say it's pretty cool and it can serve easily as an all-in-one pc

The Elitebook and Envy series are the only ones I would ever touch from HP. Their lower end laptops are shitty as hell. (I rank them in the same area as Dell)

The Elitebook seriously does not seem like an HP at all.

Sony, Toshiba are hit or miss.


Lenovo are pretty good, but some hate the style.

Asus and Acer aren't bad choices either.


You have to do your research though. All brands have some laptops that are hit or miss.

[Freedom Kira]

I've owned an HP 6830s for 2.5 years. It's pretty damn solid.

ASUS makes some of the best stuff, but their English isn't always excellent (Taiwan company IIRC). Acer's stuff is okay (and comparatively cheap) but they have a reputation of breaking down sooner than most other brands.

Sony's stuff tends to be overpriced but their quality is excellent. Toshiba tends to be pretty good IMO, but I haven't seen enough of their stuff.

Never really liked Lenovo/IBM. Not sure why.

[Mistgun_Zero]

Not many have tried I know, but I have been using an LG R510, not exactly all-in-one pc , but you can get nice configuration if you are look around, and from what I've been using it hasn't caused any problem in any aspect and I am more than happy with it.

But I would still recommend HP, and yeah acer though good has a comparatively lower lifespan than most. You could also go for compaq, my friends use it and it doesn't seem to have any problem and on top of that it has a sturdy built. 

[kitamesume]

anything is damn solid if you know how to take care of it, you`d be just really really really jinxed to get a unit that doesn't last you a month or two.

but to be sure, check the reviews, there's a ton floating around the net about laptops, desktops, tablets, etc.

[Micharus]

Do yourself a big favor and stay away from brand name PC's.

You will save money right there, although if you talk with them and say that you *will* be buying X amount of units from them, the overall price could drop an appreciable amount.

A local business does a nice package for a fraction under $900 Australian.

If you want, I can copy the specs and post them, so you have something to make a comparison with.

[Mistgun_Zero]

^Agreed don't just trust the brand name, first read the many, many reviews on the net that are available first, they will really help you. That's how I ended up with the best laptop of my time. Though I have doubts on local business, desktops from them is quite OK, but I have doubts about laptops integrity though.

[kitamesume]

i`ll give a +10000 to a company that gives out lifetime warranty with 100% service rating.

[Freedom Kira]

^Agreed don't just trust the brand name, first read the many, many reviews on the net that are available first, they will really help you. That's how I ended up with the best laptop of my time. Though I have doubts on local business, desktops from them is quite OK, but I have doubts about laptops integrity though.

He was referring to desktops. He basically said "don't buy brand name desktops."

Which is definitely a good idea. Custom computer builds are more versatile, last longer, and cost less, not to mention knowing exactly what is inside puts you way ahead of the game.

[Micharus]

^Agreed don't just trust the brand name, first read the many, many reviews on the net that are available first, they will really help you. That's how I ended up with the best laptop of my time. Though I have doubts on local business, desktops from them is quite OK, but I have doubts about laptops integrity though.

He was referring to desktops. He basically said "don't buy brand name desktops."

Which is definitely a good idea. Custom computer builds are more versatile, last longer, and cost less, not to mention knowing exactly what is inside puts you way ahead of the game.

What Kira said.

I have yet to see any computer shop that will do a 'custom' Laptop, they are just too complex compared to a Desk Top.

The place I was talking about has a website, and the computer I was talking about can be found PLE Computers.

I was thinking the 'Everyday' computer could be the sort of thing he wants.

There is a pretty good chance the OP doesn't live in Australia, but I'm really only showing him what can be done for under $1000 (Australian) and most parts should be available else where around the world.

[bloody000]

All-in-ones, anything that is not Atom-based goes for 700USD.

[kitamesume]

theres a few i3-SNB based at 500+$ though HP/lenovo/MSI but no idea how good are they.

[AnimeJanai]

My suggestion to you is to check out what other public institutions have selected as their public use PC and laptops.  For example, the KCLS Library system was voted Library of the year for 2011 by that library journal (which is probably one of their field's major publications) and was also the #1 busiest library system for 2010.  That library system has lots of internet terminals which are basically a basic PC in a small footprint and an LCD monitor with privacy screen.  They have laptops for loan which you merely present your library card and you get the laptop for 2 hours after which you return it, wait out the 30 minute cooldown, and check it out again.   The laptops they use are a mixture of Dell, Compaq, and HP because they don't want to put all their eggs in one basket and they are collecting data on which brands to use in the future, as well as have the brands compete for the next contract.  The advantage of different models also is that library patrons aren't bored with just one laptop model.

I assume that part of the $1,000 budget per unit includes the following:
a.  The laptop/PC itself and OEM operating system
b.  The maintenance warranty plan as the laptops are only as good as the maintenance plan lets them exist
c.  Additional software: MS Office, security software (lojack), antivirus, anti-malware
d.  Additional hardware: PC locks for PC base units, new central printer, carrying cases for laptops, wireless nodes, ethernet or wireless for PC units.
e.  Three PCs reserved for maintenance & testing, administration software, tools, SpinRite software.  One of the reserved PCs can be considered as a spare replacement if any one regular PC goes out of service.  Of the other two PC, one is for network management and the other is for general use at the IT staff/maintenance site.