Price and Value

For many small businesses, the major factor when choosing which computers to buy will be price. Both HP and Dell offer a wide range of business machines that offer varying levels of performance at different price points. HP tends to offer more performance for the price, but Dell offers more customization options for their business machines, allowing buyers to tailor them to their individual needs.

Components and Features

HP and Dell offer similar features and components in their business machines. Both offer a wide range of components from simple DVD-ROM drives all the way up to Blu-ray drives and large memory upgrades for high-end users. It is generally possible to find a configuration that fits every need with both manufacturers.

Support and Warranty

Many small businesses don’t have an IT staff, but must support machines on their own. This makes the warranty and support options even more important. Both companies offer support through live chat, email, and over the phone, but some of Dell’s less expensive business models come with only live chat support included, giving the edge to HP for support. Warranty periods are similar between the two, offering 1 year warranties on budget machines and 3 year warranties on more expensive models.

Overall, it is difficult to crown one company the winner for small business, as both provide similar machines and experiences. Dell is a good choice for buyers who want more configuration options to fit their specific needs, but HP has an advantage in offering more support options. It is recommended that you compare similar machines from both companies to see which fits your needs and budget.

The concept of the HP MultiSeat ms6000 is that the single desktop machine is set up and connected to a network and then multiple users can connect to the device, rather than each individual having a full-featured Windows machine. The benefit of this setup is fewer machines to maintain and a more centralized experience for file-sharing and other types of communication. Individuals will still be presented with a standard Windows experience which they can customize to suit their needs.

The ms6000 is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad processor, depending on the configuration, and comes with either 2 GB or 6 GB of RAM. The system includes an integrated Intel 4500 chip for graphics acceleration and even has 4 low-profile PCIe slots available for future expansion. 12 USB 2.0 ports are available for easily connecting devices and setting up new users, and both a VGA and DisplayPort connection are included for multiple monitor support. The system runs Microsoft Multipoint Server 2010, which provides valid Windows licenses and installs for up to 10 users.

The HP MultiSeat ms6000 Series Business Desktop system is not only a great solution for businesses looking to keep IT costs down, but it is also potentially a good system for schools and other environments where support staff is limited but multiple seats are needed. Providing so many seats for such a low price makes for a system that is easy to set up and has a lot of bang for the buck.

The HP t5740e is power by an Intel Atom N280 1.66 GHz processor and an Intel GL40 chipset. The system includes 2 GB of RAM but up to 8 GB of RAM is supported if upgrades are required in the future. Instead of a hard drive, the unit includes 4 GB of flash memory, which provides a nice performance boost and faster boot times.

Most of the thin client’s interaction will happen through the Wireless LAN port or ethernet port, making it easy to connect to the main server. It also includes 6 USB ports for peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse, and some models include PS/2 ports as well. The inclusion of both a VGA and display port connector means that the machine can handle multiple monitors, and despite its small size and limited processing power, it is capable of handling high resolutions. There is also a headphone output and microphone input located on the front of the device as well as two USB ports for convenience.

The compact design of the HP t5740e makes the term “thin client” seem like an understatement. The unit measures just 10 inches by 1.7 inches by 8.7 inches (HWD) and weighs around 4 pounds. With such a small device, theft could be a concern, so HP included a security lock slot for attaching a cable lock, though the lock is not included.

If you are considering thin client computing for business applications the HP t5740e provides only the necessary components to have your employees working efficiently. Its low price and compact size make it an excellent value.

The Z200 includes a 3.47 GHz Intel Core i5 processor for fast performance with 8 GB of RAM. It features integrated graphics with 256 MB of video memory, though it does have two PCI Express slots available for video upgrades for users who need more power. A 500 GB hard drive is included in the standard configuration, offering plenty of storage for documents and other important files. The machine comes Windows 7 Professional.

The hardware specs of the Z200 are impressive in its standard configuration, but buyers who wish to add upgrades by configuring the machine will find that many of the upgrades are costly. Adding a DVD burner or other extras quickly raises the machine’s price and makes it less of a bargain. IT pros will be glad to know that the insides of the machine are easily-accessible with a screw-less case design, but there is not much room in the compact case for modifications.

The machine includes a number of useful extras such as built in ethernet and HDMI ports. It also includes slots for most popular memory card formats right out of the box. A whopping 5 USB ports are available right on the front of the machine, with an additional 6 ports available on the back, offering support for numerous devices without the need for a separate USB hub.

The HP Z200 is a well-designed machine for business environments, offering the essential hardware and features for a good price. Custom configurations are costly, however, so buyers who need other options may want to shop around first.

The M90 includes a fast Intel Core i3 processor for excellent performance. As one of Intel’s newest chips, it provides enough muscle for powering through processor-intensive tasks. An integrated Intel Graphics Accelerator also provides solid graphics performance. The system includes Windows 7 Professional 64-bit edition which gives users all the best new features of Windows 7, and greater stability.

The 4 GB of included memory in the standard configuration can be expanded to a maximum of 8 GB if necessary. The 250 GB hard drive can also be upgraded to 750 GB when purchasing. IT managers will be glad to know that there is also an extra space for a second hard drive, making upgrades easier.

Many other nice extras are included. The standard configuration includes a CD and DVD burning drive, which can be easily replaced in the future if upgrades become necessary. Wired ethernet networking is included, though wireless networking support is not available right out of the box. The machine also has not built-in support for Bluetooth, so users will need an adapter for any devices which require it.

The ThinkCentre M90 from IBM is an impressive machine that incorporates all of the major features a business user needs without unnecessary extras that can drive the price up. While it would be nice to have extra features such as Bluetooth support, the M90 strikes and excellent balance of power and affordability, making it a great value for businesses.

The design of the HPE-450t features an eye-catching black case with a glossy finish that has a very modern look. Its tower case design is a little larger than many compact units on the market, but this leaves room for upgrades that power users will surely appreciate.

Speaking of upgrades, nearly every aspect of the HPE-450t series can be customized. Buyers have a choice of Intel Core i7 processors of varying speeds. The machine can be customized with up to 16 GB of DDR3 memory, and comes standard with 6 GB. There is space inside the case for up to two hard drives, which can be used as a RAID array for better performance. Other extras include an optional Blu-ray drive which can also burn CDs and DVDs, and an optional TV tuner and recorder that can tune Clear QAM broadcasts for HD content.

Creative users will appreciate the included MediaSmart software which makes it easy to create movies and slideshows, manage music collections, and watch or listen to a variety of multimedia. The only major feature missing from the machine is built-in wireless support, but this can be added easily with an optional wireless USB add-on, allowing it to easily connect to any wireless network or device.

For buyers who need more performance than the average desktop machine can provide, the HP HPE-450t series has it. Combining a fast processor, a large amount of memory and a solid 64-bit operating system all for an affordable price, the HPE-450t is a great choice for power users.

The design of the HPE-450t features an eye-catching black case with a glossy finish that has a very modern look. Its tower case design is a little larger than many compact units on the market, but this leaves room for upgrades that power users will surely appreciate.

Speaking of upgrades, nearly every aspect of the HPE-450t series can be customized. Buyers have a choice of Intel Core i7 processors of varying speeds. The machine can be customized with up to 16 GB of DDR3 memory, and comes standard with 6 GB. There is space inside the case for up to two hard drives, which can be used as a RAID array for better performance. Other extras include an optional Blu-ray drive which can also burn CDs and DVDs, and an optional TV tuner and recorder that can tune Clear QAM broadcasts for HD content.

Creative users will appreciate the included MediaSmart software which makes it easy to create movies and slideshows, manage music collections, and watch or listen to a variety of multimedia. The only major feature missing from the machine is built-in wireless support, but this can be added easily with an optional wireless USB add-on, allowing it to easily connect to any wireless network or device.

For buyers who need more performance than the average desktop machine can provide, the HP HPE-450t series has it. Combining a fast processor, a large amount of memory and a solid 64-bit operating system all for an affordable price, the HPE-450t is a great choice for power users.

In many ways, the Compaq 505B is everything one would want from a business machine. It has the sleek and compact design that won’t take up much space in the office. In fact, it could easily share a desk with a monitor. It has a nice compliment of connections, with two USB ports and the audio ports located on the front of the machine for convenience. Also included is a LightScribe DVD burner, which is a nice bonus for a business machine.

Users who do processor-intensive tasks might be somewhat disappointed by the AMD Athlon II processor, however, as it will not have the performance of more robust Intel processors. Still, it is a good component for such a low price, and the majority of business users won’t notice the difference in everyday tasks. The 2GB of memory is also likely enough for the average user, though the machine comes preinstalled with Windows 7 Professional, which makes the 2GB of memory just barely enough for solid performance.

IT professionals will likely appreciate the compact design of the machine, and the ability to simply swap a new machine in when one is experiencing problems. They will probably dislike the fact that there is virtually no expandability available, however, as the small design of the machine effectively prohibits extra expansion slots.

The Compaq 505B is a very good design for a desktop PC aimed at business users, and its affordable price makes it easy to buy multiple machines for an office of users. Its performance will be solid for everyday office tasks, but more intensive programs may suffer from slowdowns.

Bearing an updated bronze finish over the Lenovo C300, this machine also bears some upgrades on the inside. It has a 20 inch, 1600 x 900 widescreen display for crystal clear vivid graphics. It also comes standard with an HDTV tuner so you can actually use it as a television while you’re not working, or even keep your TV open in the background as you surf the web.

As far as processing power, the C315 is equipped with AMD’s Dual Core Athlon II X2 1.6 GHz processor and 4 GB RAM to keep up with even the most demanding multitasking you can come up with. This is necessary in such a universal machine, as you’ll no doubt be using it for work, play, and everything in between.

To support the multi-tasking functions of your computer, this computer comes equipped with 6 high speed USB 2.0 ports, a PS2 port, and a 4-pin FireWire connector to interface with any peripherals you may have. Not only can this machine handle whatever you have now, but with the FireWire connector, your machine will even be able to handle the next generation of technology with no problem.

Keeping with Lenovo’s reputation for sleek, slimmed down machines, the C315 is refreshingly clean right from the start without much of the software trials you’ll find on machines from other companies, making this machine much easier to customize and use right off the bat. And with the amazing hardware built into this powerhouse, that’s exactly what you’ll want to do.

The machine comes pre-loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium, which is most recommended for home users and even some small office users for getting the most out of a home machine. The machine is also highly-customizable, with a number of upgrade options available for buyers. The DDR3 memory provides great performance with less power consumption, and can be configured to a capacity that meets your needs the best. It is also very easy to upgrade the memory later.

There are a number of multimedia features and options available. Buyers can choose to have a dedicated graphics card or to use the integrated video chipset. There is even an option for a TV tuner and a PVR for recording live TV on your computer. The integrated audio processor provides high-definition 7.1 surround sound, perfect for watching movies and listening to music. Other multimedia options include a standard DVD drive and an optional Blu-ray drive for watching movies in high-definition. Those with a wireless network can add a wireless LAN card for an easy network connection without wires.

The HP Pavilion Slim-line s5580t truly is an impressive machine. Its processing power and RAM configuration options allow buyers to tailor it to their needs. Its multitude of connection options make it easy to get data in and out and the highly-customizable nature lets buyers add the features they want without paying for features they don’t. Its low price makes it a great value and provides a lot of bang for the buck.