Currently working as CIO for an NHS Trust, I have experience of running support centres, customer se...
Currently working as CIO for an NHS Trust, I have experience of running support centres, customer services, and IT across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Member since:05.08.2003
Reviews:20
Members who trust:3
The Compaq line of small form factor PCs have always been sturdy machines very suited to the business environment.
Compaq used to take care to design a machine without the frills, which would meet most standard business use. Costs were also kept low, and this made for a generally acceptable business unit. The D5xx range has never been targeted at the home user, and probably never will.
Unfortunately, this new machine fails to inspire confidence. Overall, there is nothing wrong with the technologies and speed of the unit. My real issues are around the casing and build quality.
Firstly, it is REALLY heavy. I suppose some may say this is an theft deterrent, but there is no real need for the weight.
This is especially true when you notice that the case is extremely light and flimsy. In a business environment, machines need to be able to take some abuse from staff, and I wonder if this unit will prove up tot he job. It really feels like it would cave in if you coughed on it!
As I stated in the begining of this review, the quality of the components and the overall technical spec of the machine is generally fine for business use. This machine will have no problems running MS apps and O/S with full multitasking, and it has a Gig network card which futureproofs to some extent.
Overall, this is not a machine I would recommend for most business areas. I would suggest that, although the technology should not need a refresh for general use for about 3 years, the casing will never last that long.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Fairly good spec for price, good room for updating in the future Disadvantages: Deceptive price -many peripherals not included. Also apart from processor spec not amazing
Advantages: A all around pc. great buy if you can find it for cheap. Disadvantages: No space to fit 2 drives in. cannot fit AGP graphics Card in (no room), only PCI graphics card.
Nov 3rd, 2004
very helpful by (60%):
helpful by (40%):
