[OPLINLIST] AWE Computer Input Needed

Mon Jul 7 20:34:23 EDT 2014

I can't speak specifically towards whatever the current hardware is for the
AWE computers. But presumably they're still using Dell computers, which in
general, I find to be acceptably reliable in their lines of hardware I've
seen/worked with.

The following may provide a little insight, though. Desktop level computers
and components generally seem to fall into one of two warranty categories:
 1-year and 3-year.  The 1-year category typically means that the
computer/component is consumer grade. Interpret this as "likely to fail
quickly". Consumer grade stuff is generally cheaper and likely to be cycled
out by the consumer rather quickly. This is your cheap $350 laptop or your
$250-$300 desktop computer. Cheap components, higher failure rates = low
confidence in the longevity of the hardware.

The 3-year category is usually more business/enterprise-level hardware.
More expensive, but more robust with higher tolerances. The manufacturer
has a higher confidence in the longevity of the components.

When I build computers for my own clients, all of the individual components
have at least a 3-year warranty. The hard drives often have a 5-year
warranty, and the memory always has a lifetime warranty (extremely low
failure rates on memory). The lowest common denominator is 3 years, so I
generally state a 3-year warranty on the computers I build. (Although in
truth, regardless of the warranty length, if I can get the manufacturer to
replace it under warranty, I do!) At any rate, it is this
business/enterprise-class set of components that often lives rather long
useful lives. (I expect the bulk of the computers I build to be in *useful
and productive* service for 6-7 years.)

Relating this back to the ELS computers, if memory serves, the ELS
computers have a 3-year warranty, correct? If so, that means AWE is likely
using a better class of computers...with components that the respective
manufacturers are confident enough in to stand behind for an extended
period of time. I would expect it's also in AWE's best interest to use
reliable hardware because it's not only their reputation at stake, but it
also takes a significant amount of employee time (thus money) to process
each warranty repair.

If the AWE computers really do have a three-year warranty, I'd be
reasonably sure that AWE is doing their best to use decent quality
computers. ...certainly at least as much as other companies building the
same type of solutions. I wouldn't necessarily consider jumping ship for
this reason alone. If this were one of several other considerations, then
so be it, but I wouldn't abandon AWE ELS computers on the chance of
possible hardware failures alone.

To continue the example of the computers I personally build:  Even though
I'm pretty selective in the manufacturers and components that go into my
computers and have a very high degree of confidence that they will end up
having *useful* lives for 6-7 years, every once in a blue moon I still have
a component that fails well before I expect it should. Even more rare, but
it has happened once or twice that I seem to have purchased a whole bad run
of a particular component. It's just bad luck. The 100 that I purchased up
until that point may be flawless and never fail, but the lot of 5 that I
purchased together may have been all from a less reliable lot and fail
early...and one library probably received the entire lot. Just bad luck.

Because of that very reason, I'm never quick to condemn a particular
computer manufacturer (like Dell, for instance) or VAR (Value Added
Reseller) (like AWE, for instance) for having failures. EVERY manufacturer
and VAR has a bad runs of components sometimes. It stinks, but that's the
way it is. It's a bit of a crap shoot and AWE is just as susceptible to it
as any other VAR.

So, if you like the product that AWE is offering and your only concern is
the longevity of the computer that you're getting, I personally wouldn't
put lots of extra emphasis on the hardware itself (assuming it's the 3-year
warranty class of computer). If, however, you have specific issues with the
*style* or *features* of the computer...or worse, of the company's
*handling* of the warranty requests, then that's definitely worth
considering a different company's offering.

Geeze, I'm long winded! Sorry.

HTH,
Chad

Ps.  Sadly I don't get any kickback or any other benefit from AWE for
promoting/defending/liking their products. Not even an "At-A-Boy" or a pat
on the back!  I'm certainly open to it, though, if anyone from AWE is
watching! (The kickback, that is. Cold hard cash.)

______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

*Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools*

On Mon, Jul 7, 2014 at 7:20 PM, Michele Skolmutch <mskolmutch at holmeslib.org>
wrote:

> Hello Everyone
>
>
>
> Has anyone purchased the newer AWE Early Literacy Computers? Are they more
> reliable than the older models? Ours died just when the warranty ran out a
> couple of months ago. During the last 2 years we have sent it back 3, maybe
> 4 times for repairs. I’m not 100% sold on spending the money on something
> that may wear out in 3 year’s time. (I realize that’s a long time when it
> comes to technology.) I've been talking with the REP from AWE, but I'm
> still having reservations.
>
>
>
> The AWE is extremely popular at our library to the point that we've had
> kids fighting over it. If the newer versions are up to the task, that's
> great. If not, has anyone tried any alternatives?
>
>
>
> Thanks, in advance, for your input!
>
>
> Michele
>
> --
> Michele Skolmutch
> Head of Children's Services and Children's Collection Development /
> Public Relations Specialist
> Holmes County District Public Library
> 3102 Glen Drive
> Millersburg, OH  44654
> 330-674-5972, ext. 210
> mskolmutch at holmeslib.org
> www.holmeslibrary.org
>
> *This message and any response to it may constitute a public record and
> thus may be publicly available to anyone who requests it.*
>
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