Operating Systems: Specifications and Upgrades

One upgrade commonly made on computer systems is the addition of more RAM. This is very beneficial to the system as it makes it able to cope with more tasks, and improves performance substantially. Just adding 512Mb of RAM would make a noticeable difference to performance. When buying a computer, it is normally provided with a sufficient amount of RAM, however, as computer systems progress, they require more memory just to run normally, which is why systems need to be upgraded with RAM if you wish to have a capable computer and have it last a long time. Depending on the things you wish to use your computer for, will effect the amount of RAM you need, for example, a person who uses a computer to game, use the internet, word-processing and use graphic application software will need a substantial amount more RAM than someone who just wishes to use word-processing and browse the internet. For your systems, I would recommend upgrading your system with RAM at least once, and consider it if you notice your system slowing down, perhaps after the addition of multiple software applications.

Another upgrade that would be relevant in this case is a CD Drive, I believe this would be beneficial because should the people in Tanzania want to install any software (educational or otherwise) will come on a CD ROM as standard, meaning they will need one to install software. CD Drives are not expensive; a run-of-the mill drive (with recording capabilities) will only set you back around £20-£30. I will justify this by saying that it will give the Tanzanians many more options when it comes to using their machines, and it will offer them any kind of software they like, meaning they will get more use out of the machines.

First of all, I will allocate money to purchase the various software and peripherals for the system. I have chosen this scanner for their use:

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First of all, I will allocate money to purchase the various software and peripherals for the system. I have chosen this scanner for their use:

It will allow them to scan and print, which fills one of their needs and allows them to print out documents and leaflets that they will produce. It will be cheaper to run than printers that need 2 cartridges (black and colour), because it uses 4 (black, cyan, magenta, yellow), which means when one colour runs out, you will only need to replace that cartridge, instead of a tricolour cartridge which can be much more expensive. It has an impressive DPI, which will lead to better quality printing. It is also copy documents, even in standalone mode, which will benefit any business that needs multiple copies of one document, including Techno for Tanzania.

For their design needs (leaflets making etc), I would recommend Adobe Fireworks CS3.

It is one of the best graphic design software applications available. I would recommend this for use in conjunction with Adobe Dreamweaver CS3. It is part of the same suite so it is completely compatible, web pages can be designed in either, with the more advanced options needed to be used with Dreamweaver; which was one of the requirements of the system.

The total of the printer/scanner/copier and the software comes to £552.88, which leaves £1974.12 for the machines.

Here are the three systems I have chosen to compare:

HP Pavilion Slimline S3340 + 19" Glass Fronted TFT £539.97

Specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Processor
(2.2GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium
2GB Memory
500GB Hard Drive
DVD Writer With LightScribe
256MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO Graphics
15-In-1 Card Reader
6 No of USB connections
LG Glass Fronted Widescreen TFT

Packard Bell iMax 3413 + 19" Widescreen TFT Monitor £469.99

Pentium Dual-Core E2160 Processor
(1.8Ghz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB Cache)
2GB Memory
360GB Hard Drive
Multi-Format Dual Layer DVD Re-Writer
895MB nVidia GeForce 8300 GS Graphics
8-In-1 Card Reader
6 USB Connections
AOC 19" Widescreen TFT

DELL INSPIRON 530/1135 + 19" WIDESCREEN TFT MONITOR £429.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Processor
(2.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB Cache)
2GB Memory
320GB Hard Drive
Multi-Format Dual Layer DVD Re-Writer
Intel Media Accelerator X3000 Graphics
6 USB Connections
2 PCI Slots
19" Widescreen TFT Monitor

All the systems come with a CD/DVD rewrite as standard and internet capabilities, so I will not take them into account when comparing systems.

Taking all the specifications into account, I would select the Dell Inspiron. I make this decision based on the fact that is one of the highest performing machines of the bunch, with a very efficient processor; capable of running everything they will need to do. The 2GB of memory should serve the user for whatever tasks they need to do, and for running various applications (such as Fireworks and Dreamweaver) at once, which the Packard Bell might struggle with, given that it only has 1GB. The advantage this has over the HP, with the same capability processor it mainly the graphics, they both have the same amount of RAM, but the Dell machine has a higher performing processor, a very important factor in a machine that needs to run graphics applications. It also has the most amount of USB slots, meaning it won’t be a problem to connect peripherals or extract data from external sources. Unlike the Packard Bell, it lacks a card reader, however, should this be needed, they are very cheap and could easily be connected. The 320GB hard drive is the smallest of them all, but is still vast, and can easily be upgraded, much like the card reader. I see little benefit in using a glass fronted monitor, so the fact that the monitors are essentially the same didn’t have much effect on my decision.

Given the price of the system itself, after the all in one printer and the graphics and web development software, leaves them enough money to purchase up to four of these. If they chose to do this they would have £254.16 left over, to purchase additional software, and even a card reader.