[OPLINTECH] Public Workstation Upgrade

Tue Jul 19 11:48:11 EDT 2016

A couple of days ago, Bill Ebben accidently sent the following comments on
this thread to me instead of the list and subsequently asked me to mention
them (sorry it took so long, Bill):

An SSD makes a huge difference in performance but perhaps the best reason
> to use SSDs is that they run so much cooler. I don't have proof but I'm
> convinced machines will last longer and be more reliable without the extra
> heat.

I've just had tremendous results with the SSDs and I have put them into
> older laptops (making sure they had SATA III). Not just faster but now you
> can put one on your lap without fear of burning. I have also put them into
> ACER Revos and similar. Also, put them into two laptops for college
> students who didn't realize that running a laptop on the bed in your dorm
> room is likely to block the air movement needed for cooling.

Bill's spot-on about the heat. Less power draw, less heat dissipation.
Great for laptops, great for SFF computers. Heat is the enemy of
electronics.

And, yeah...what's up with calling laptops "laptops" when it's never really
been wise to actually *use* them on your lap or any other non-flat
surface?!? LOL!

______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

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

*Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and
schools*

On Fri, Jul 15, 2016 at 2:53 PM, Chad Neeper <cneeper at level9networks.com>
wrote:

> I'm working with one of the Intel NUCs right now and got to thinking about
> the one thing I like the LEAST about the VESA-mount mini computers:
>
> It's the power button.
>
> It's inevitably on the back-side of the LCD. So unlike a true AiO, where
> you press one conveniently located power button, with the Intel NUC and
> other VESA-mount sff computers, you have two power buttons:  one
> conveniently located one for the LCD and another inconveniently hidden
> power button for the computer itself.
>
> The Intel NUC, at least, does have an internal header in the computer so
> that you could potentially hook up an external power button if you wanted
> to, but I haven't done that yet. I suppose I could sticky-attach a remote
> power button to the side of the LCD or something... but it's still a kludge.
>
> Chad
>
>
>
> ______________________________
> *Chad Neeper*
> Senior Systems Engineer
>
> *Level 9 Networks*
> 740-548-8070 (voice)
> 866-214-6607 (fax)
>
> *Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and
> schools*
>
> On Fri, Jul 15, 2016 at 2:28 PM, Fred Miller Jr <
> fmiller at auglaizelibraries.org> wrote:
>
>> Tim,
>>
>> I might to be able to help out some with this. For our patron computers
>> we are upgrading them to this:
>>
>> ·
>> http://www.microcenter.com/product/466785/IdeaCentre_300-23_23_Touchscreen_All-in-One_Desktop_Computer
>>
>> While I agree with you on the SSD drive or the public computers, I can’t
>> suffice spending the extra money in the machines for the time of use the
>> patrons are on them. These computers have been put into 2 of our branches
>> and have been working out just fine. I’m not a big fan of Acer anyway. Have
>> had to many bad experiences with them in the past.  I also use the CPU
>> benchmark software to compare CPU’s to see what we need to implement into
>> our system. I have seen a lot of libraries going to AiO’s either made by HP
>> or Lenovo that we had visited. By the way, the new Intel NUC’s might be
>> worth checking out as well since you get big performance in a small
>> footprint.
>>
>>
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>>
>>
>>
>> [image: Logo Resized]
>>
>> *203 Perry Street Wapakoneta, OH 45895*
>>
>>
>>
>> *Fred Miller Jr*
>>
>> IT Service Manager
>>
>> *T*: *419-738-1215 <419-738-1215>* |* E*: *fmiller at auglaizelibraries.org
>> <fmiller at auglaizelibraries.org>*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* OPLINTECH [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] *On Behalf
>> Of *Tim Burns
>> *Sent:* Thursday, July 14, 2016 8:27 AM
>> *To:* oplintech at lists.oplin.org
>> *Subject:* [OPLINTECH] Public Workstation Upgrade
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear Tech folks,
>>
>>
>> Please help “brainstorm” a configuration for the public workstations.
>>
>>
>> While I’m convinced that the future will not be anything like our current
>> patron offering (witness most patrons spending their technology dollar$ on
>> todays smartphone/tablet, the popularity of laptops as home computer
>> selection, schools switching to 1:1 using Chromebooks, and more “cloud” -
>> based computing than ever.) desktops are what our staff are used to. Not
>> rock the boat today.
>>
>> I’m looking for performance first. Performance comes from RAM, and CPU.
>> Our new configuration should be 8GB of RAM, and quad-core (Intel i5 or
>> better) processing/CPU. I use CPU Benchmarks to compare between various
>> offerings of CPU. This levels the playing field by describing what a
>> processor can do - given a specific task on similarly configured system.
>> Here’s the site I’m looking at for comparison:
>> https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html Generally, I want
>> processing rating of 7000 or better as a starting point.
>>
>> This machine is a starting point:
>> https://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Acer-Veriton-Z4820G-Wub-Core-i5-6500-3.2-GHz-8-GB-500-GB-LED-23.8in/4076440.aspx?enkwrd=4076440&pfm=srh
>>
>>
>> I’d prefer SSD drive (solid state) as there is a tremendous performance
>> boost - and we don’t require a lot of storage on the public system. This
>> model, being an all-in-one, includes larger (23+”) display and camera.
>> Camera would be helpful as an image or document scanner alternative- would
>> be available at each station.
>>
>> Tim Burns
>> Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County Ohio
>>
>>
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