[OPLINTECH] Public Access Computer purchases

[JKENZIG]

Remember that Solid State drives(SSD) are also starting to become the norm and they consume way less power. 
Also if you can try and get the VPro chipset.  It has enhanced functionality for remote wakeup and control. 

Jim Kenzig
Network Manager
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Administrative Offices
2111 Snow Road / Parma, OH 44134-2728
www.cuyahogalibrary.org

-----Original Message-----
From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Chad Neeper
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 1:46 PM
To: oplintech at oplin.org
Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Public Access Computer purchases

I don't think that's going to be so true in the very near future. A week or so ago I was looking into the Mini-ITX form factor (6.7 x 6.7 inch) motherboards from Intel for a client that wanted to buy some new computers. Intel has a few Mini-ITX boards that supports standard desktop processors. One I'm glancing at now supports the Core2 Quad. 
While I'd like to start using the smaller form factor, I didn't end up suggesting it yet because the selection of Mini-ITX boards available from my distributors are still primarily using underpowered processors...just like you said. I only found one mini-itx board SKU supporting standard desktop processors at one of my secondary distributors. I haven't looked for release dates from Intel, but I think they're probably right around the corner since they're already being shown on Intel's website in full detail and my distributors already have at least one SKU.

The mini-itx case I was looking at had a 120W power supply. If the processor alone takes up to 65W, that leaves 55W for the motherboard, 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive, and 5.25" or slimline CD/DVD-ROM drive. That should be just enough power. Heat could definitely be an issue, as you said, but if the case is designed well, it could be managed well enough. 
The only thing really proprietary is the motherboard itself, with built-in video, USB, network interface, etc. But that's really no different than full ATX or mATX style motherboards.

This is all from a white-box perspective, though. There probably IS more proprietary components in a Dell, Acer, or whatever other big names are left out there in this economy! But then, with those you also get things like being able to hang the computer on the back of the monitor. I haven't looked, but I think I'd probably be hard pressed to find something like that in a whitebox config.

Just my 2 (more) cents.

Chad

-----------------------
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 --



Industry Standard Computers wrote:
> The problem with ALL micro computers except laptops are the power 
> supplies are too underrated. The computers run hotter.
>
> Seldom do micros have the newest or faster processors as buy options.
>
> Next the micro computers are generally 95% proprietary parts inside 
> even the hard drives sometimes are proprietary designs or interfaces.
>
> People who are rich can afford to replace computers every 3 years or 
> whenever the warranty runs out, most others can not.
>
> Butch
>
>