<div dir="ltr">Phillip, I think that's kind of like asking, "who makes the best pizza". The most useful answer for your unique organization is going to depend on several factors. <div><br></div><div style>Are you asking specifically about hardware manufacturers or vendors or both? Both are in business to make money but some are more sympathetic with library's funding limitations and their role as public servants. Most often the one who offers only the lowest cost is not the one who is most advantageous for your organization in the long run. i.e. Some IT folks like to buy the best hardware they can afford expecting to recover the additional purchasing costs in support and service savings over the long term. Others wager on low cost machines and anticipate more labor and services costs down the road. The same model applies to vendors, the vendors with the lowest overhead can charge a little less but may not be able to provide the product as efficiently as a larger vendor, neither will they be as easy to work with after the sale should (or should I say "when") problems arise. That brings up another factor; how capable is your in-house team with support issues. Do you require after-sale support of the manufacturer or the vendor and if so, how much? Warranties may cover anything from just the cost of failed hardware, to total on-site technical support, and the warranties you choose should be tailored to your specific needs. </div>
<div style><br></div><div style>The long answer is, you are going to have to develop a purchasing strategy of your own that best fits your organization. The main question is "How much risk am I (and my team) willing to assume?"</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>If the OPLIN Tech world knew a little more about your organization and your capabilities, I'm sure better advice could be offered. </div><div style><br></div><div style>Sorry, I know this is not the answer you were looking for.</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>KP</div><div style><br></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Dec 18, 2012 at 10:21 AM, Phillip Jackson <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:pjackson@pauldingcountylibrary.org" target="_blank">pjackson@pauldingcountylibrary.org</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who is the best company to purchase new desktops and laptops for our library’s.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Phillip Jackson<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Pjackson@PauldingCountyLibrary.org" target="_blank">Pjackson@PauldingCountyLibrary.org</a><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="tel:419-399-2032" value="+14193992032" target="_blank">419-399-2032</a><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<br>_______________________________________________<br>
OPLINTECH mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:OPLINTECH@lists.oplin.org">OPLINTECH@lists.oplin.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech" target="_blank">http://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech</a><br>
Search: <a href="http://oplin.org/techsearch" target="_blank">http://oplin.org/techsearch</a><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div style="text-align:center"> <b>Kevin Puffer</b><br><b>Systems Administrator</b><br><img src="http://wcdpl.org/sites/default/files/foliage_logo.jpg" width="96" height="50"><br>
<b>Wood County District Public Library</b><br><b>251 N. Main St. Bowling Green, OH 43402</b><br><b>(419)</b><b> 352-5104 - <a href="mailto:kpuffer@wcdpl.org" target="_blank">kpuffer@wcdpl.org</a></b><br></div><br><br>
</div>