Running a small business is often a matter of making the most of a small budget, so choosing a PC manufacturer for your business can be an important decision. Not only is the upfront price a consideration, but purchasing quality machines with good support will help save money and time in the long run as well. Dell and HP both dominate the business computer market, and each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Let us look at some of the major factors.

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.