The Office of Smith IT is the sole supporter and service provider for one computer for each faculty and staff member.  We schedule the upgrades of these systems and re-deploy the used systems to part-time workers.  In addition we maintain network printers around the building and consult on additional equipment purchases when requested. 

Advantages to standard hardware:

As you make your decision to purchase, please be aware that the level of support we can provide to any non-standard system is much more limited.  We base our staffing around the full support of standard hardware and software packages, anything above that is supported as resources allow.

One major advantage to the standard hardware recommended by Smith IT is the time saved when one needs a repair. We can repair the standard hardware quickly - often instantly - with spare parts in stock. We are Dell certified, and so can manage the repair process of non-standard Dell hardware, but the difference is the time it takes to get the repair parts. Yes, vendors promise 24-hour turn around time - but that has RARELY been our experience with any company - including Dell. Having spare parts in stock is the only truly quick way to provide service. Support of other (non-Dell) hardware is very limited. If it breaks, the owner must deal with the vendor or warranty provider themselves, but since yours will be a Dell, we will be able to deal with the vendor for you.

Software compatibility is the other advantage to standard systems. The Helpdesk maintains and updates the software image on our standard systems. That means that we test for compatibility in this environment, and we test and maintain upgrades to standard software, including operating systems. We cannot guarantee that all of our software will work on anything outside of the standard configurations. We can install software on top of the operating system non-standard equipment ships with if you have proof of a valid license, but we do not have the resources to re-build operating systems or re-configure systems to address problematic incompatibilities with non-standard hardware and software. We would only be able to restore the system with the restore CD the vendor provides.

The choice is yours. If you need the fastest turnaround, buy a standard system. If time is not an issue and you do not mind dealing with vendors for warranty repairs, choose anything you prefer. If you've seen another system you like and would like me to look at the specs, I will certainly be glad to do that.