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Which PC To Purchase
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Optiplex is the Physics Dept. & Campus Desktop Standard
NOTE: Physics Computing Services tries to provide quick servicing
of failed systems by making images of the stardard departmental software
configuration. These images are hardware dependent. For this reason,
please examine the items below of the costs and benefits of choosing Dell
Optiplex over Dell Dimension systems.
Optiplex vs Dimension Systems
For PC purchasers the campus recommends Dell Desktops. There various
reasons for choosing between Dell's two product lines, Optiplex and
Dimension.
The differences between the Dell Optiplex and the Dell Dimension
computers are highlighted here:
- Dimension is targeted at our home users, Optiplex for a more intense
environment, particularly on a network; that is, for the institutional
users;
- The Dimension is well designed for home users; it takes advantage of
best pricing builds during manufacture (components or boards "of the
moment", that is, it utilizes the most recent technology at a very
competitive price); the components are acquired on a 'lowest cost' basis,
and therefore change very frequently (daily/weekly). To put it crudely
but succinctly, the 'guts' of the boxes are constantly changing. Optiplex
has a more rigorous and consistent engineering design;
- This implies that images are much harder to propagate across the
universe of Dimensions than that of Optiplexes (PCS typically makes
images of the computers we build - all requested software installed);
Dimensions CAN be imaged. However, there is a very strong tendency for an
image built for a Dimension to blow up. Additionally, because the
components change so often, a different image will usually need to be
built for each box. The Optiplex line is built for reliability and
stability, and that means that there are as few image-impacting changes
made as possible. When this does occur, there is always an overlap
between builds to accommodate imaging and support needs.
- This further implies that, while the Dimensions may be "bleeding edge"
technology, support down the road will be more costly for us in time and
energy spent troubleshooting or re-imaging.
- Dell Support for Dimensions can be more difficult for the user.
Because they is marketed to the home user, the support goes up through
that home-user support arm. Optiplex products funnel to a different
support structure. The Optiplex support generally gives quicker pick up
times, quicker resolution, and overall better customer experience.
- There are certainly price breaks in favor of Dimension over the
Optiplex, but this is on short term costs and may not extend out to
longer term costs. At times, there are better prices on Dimensions that
on Optiplex. There are specials and promotions that drive this. The Dell
UMD Sales Team try our best to match prices when this occurs. When this
happens, please bring these instances to me directly.
- Differences in warranty terms: Dimensions come standard with a 1 year
warranty. Optiplex comes standard with 3 year warranties. It is possible
to upgrade the Dimension units to include a 3 year warranty, but see
#5...the Dell Support is better on Optiplexes than on Dimensions.
- A departmental standard greatly enhances the type of
continuing service Physics Computing Services (PCS) can provide.
These differences and the need for a standard indicates why PCS very
strongly recommends for Optiplex and against Dimension
purchases for Departmental/Institutional desktop use.
Computers Recommended by Campus
To view the specific list of recommendations for computer purchases, see
the Campus PC
Recommendations Site. This site provides information for both
Institutional amnd Personal purchases, Apple and Dell PCs Servers, Storage Systems, and Switches.
