I'm looking for a new computer with the Intel i5 or i7 processor and Windows 7. It looks like my best option is a refubished computer. I keep running across computers that are labeled "workstation". Since I have never worked anywhere that has several computers all connected to a server, I don't know if this is relevant or not.
What exactly is it that makes a computer a "workstation"? Is it missing anything or is that just a sales gimmick.
Thanks,
James
Dell is still selling new computers, desktops and laptops, with Windows 7 Professional. Just got an ad from them today.
I think workstation means it is more powerful than a "desktop", i.e. faster processor, more ram, etc.
today "workstation" is just a sales gimmick/marketing term.
back in the day it was a monitor and keyboard wired into a computer along with other users, local or remote.
I suppose in sales speak it means "not a phone/tablet/chromebook" but a stand alone computer you can use for production work with the normal hardware.
some vendors and manufactures use the term to define different groups of products, but there is no uniformity in the industry.
I can remember when a "workstation" did not have it's own hard drive.
I bought one from HP last year with windows 7 for my Mother. They all disappeared from the HP website sometime in the last month.
I will check Dell.
Thanks,
James
My understanding of a "Workstation" is a computer optimized for power users (us), CAD use falls under that category. The workstations normally come with processors, graphic boards and memory all matched for the task at hand, no bottle neck with the bus size or speed, etc. I have been using HP workstations for years (yes they are expensive) and have had excellent luck with them Zero down time for the last 4 systems (20 + years worth). I do buy the Xeon processors as they seem to handle graphics well and allow me to stretch the years out between replacing computers.
T.W.
JaRo, post: 392990, member: 292 wrote: I can remember when a "workstation" did not have it's own hard drive.
I bought one from HP last year with windows 7 for my Mother. They all disappeared from the HP website sometime in the last month.
I will check Dell.
Thanks,
James
also check Amazon and Ebay.
If you want New, unopened box, you will find them, full manufacture warrantee.
same goes for "refurbished" what ever that means to the seller...
or go with Used and save a bundle and get what you really want.
but it all depends on what you are gonna use it for, the stuff you plan to plug into it, and the other software.
personally I prefer different machines for different uses.
Recently purchased Dell 990 SFF with Win7 Pro 64 off EBay and everything is totally new with quadcore i5 2400 3.1 Ghz processor and 16gig ram and 1tb hard drive for $310 and 1yr warranty.
I added a 1gb AMD Raedon 6450 video card for crisp clear appearance on my 24in monitor
Plan to add a faster wireless card, it came with a 72mbs usb wireless mini and I want to jump up to at least 300mbs.
It will operate and talk with two different routers at the same time, totally ideal for my setup to be on the internet and to communicate with my printer and other computers for file sharing.
It is super fast and will crunch mp4 to mp3 albums many times faster than my XP with pentium 4 3.4Ghz
There were many other selections there with i5 processors and SSD with more ram for more $$$$$
Have bought half dozen computers for myself and my kids and grandkids from EBay sellers for years and all of them are still going.
This one has ESET NOD32 Antivirus installed and I am very impressed with its performance.
I like Dell too. Have a re-furbed Optiplex 760 with only 4 gb RAM and it chugs along pretty well. I added a simple graphics card that helps take the strain off the system a bit.
It can do Carlson/Intellicad just fine. Possibly a little slower than I would like, but you get what you pay for.
As others have said, you can get a new Dell with Windows 7 - Core i7 in a laptop, Xeon in a desktop.
