[OPLINTECH] Desktops on Bookmobiles

[Mann, James H.]

Steve
We use a laptop for bookmobile circ and as a satellite server. Fits the
furniture better, can come off at night to be used in the office. If I
were to add a second bookmobile computer I'd go with a laptop. With IBM
thinkpads in the $700 range there is no appreciable price delta between
a desktop and a laptop.

Jim Mann
Technology Coordinator
Greene County Public Library
Xenia Ohio 45385
(937) 376-2996 x210
mailto: jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us
-----Original Message-----
From: oplintech-admin at oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-admin at oplin.org] On
Behalf Of Steve Miller
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 8:07 AM
To: oplintech at oplin.org
Subject: [OPLINTECH] Desktops on Bookmobiles

All -

I have a few questions about bookmobiles and technology....

In mobile units, why would one choose a desktop system over a laptop?

Are any hardware cost-savings (from using desktop vs notebook) lost in
special adaptations, such as anti-vibration or stabilization hardware?

Is the amount of workspace affected as much as one would think with a
monitor/keyboard/mouse/barcode wand  vs a single-unit laptop?

I can see the benefits of cheap small-form-factor machines, but am
concerned
about vibration and wobbling increasing wear-and-tear.  The notebooks
currently in use are approaching the 5-year mark, and service calls have
been increasing.  We would hope that whichever system replaces them,
that we
could get another five years out if it.  I'm just not sure a desktop
system
(without padding) could do that.

('course the armored tough-books are attractive, too...)

Any thoughts or experiences you'd like to share?

Steve
--------------------------------------
Steve Miller, Technology Coordinator
Ashtabula County District Library
335 W. 44th Street, Ashtabula, OH 44004
millerst at oplin.org
(440) 997-9341 x239 / fax (440) 998-1198
Opinions expressed are my own.


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