Take a look around any business and you'll find the powerhouse of its office is the desktop PC. Once thought of as the beige box under your desk, the desktop PC has come a long way and is now available in a host of sizes and shapes, from full towers for those needing dedicated graphics, plenty of memory and storage space, to thin clients, which are little more than a processor and memory module allowing you to connect to the company network.
The desktop PC is the mainstay of any growing business but in recent years the appeal and versatility of the laptop, as well as emerging technologies such as smartphones and tablets, have shown there are other ways of working. However, for most companies and everyday office duties, it remains a cost-effective and reliable system. This fact is reflected in desktop PC sales: in 2010 some 347 million desktop PCs were sold world-wide, with EMEA making up over 110 million of those sales (figures courtesy of IDC), predominately for business use.
When it comes to choosing a desktop PC, HP and Dell are the biggest players in the global market and both offer quite diverse ranges, suiting both small to medium-sized businesses, as well as more bespoke system configurations for corporate clients. If you're looking for something a little more off-the-peg, Acer and Lenovo offer business machines that can be bought online.
No matter which option you go for, the desktop PC remains the most cost-effective way of rolling out computers across your business. The low build and maintenance cost per unit compared to that of a laptop or tablet is the main reason for their continued use. Add to this the fact that desktop PCs are designed to be easy to upgrade and tend to have universal compatibility with all peripherals you're likely to purchase and it's easy to see why they remain the heart of any business.
If space is something of an issue then it's worth considering the latest All-in-One generation of desktop PCs, which as the name implies, brings the monitor and computer box together in one unit. You still connect to it via a keyboard and mouse but these use wireless technology to keep cables to a minimum. It's worth bearing in mind that All-in-One computers use laptop parts as their base technology, so tend to be more expensive and also offer limited upgrade options compared to a standard desktop PC. With this in mind we wouldn't suggest rolling these devices out across the business but for the MD or FD's office they offer that hint of cutting-edge luxury.
What to look for in a desktop PC for business
Computer technology is evolving all the time but the basic components of a desktop PC haven't changed radically in recent years, so having a basic knowledge of what's on offer is vital. The basic cost of a desktop PC starts around £300 (ex. VAT) for a basic unit, but for more specialised and specific needs you may well need to budget up to £1000. It's worth bearing in mind you'll also need to budget for a monitor as most business systems come without one.
Processor:
This is the brain of any computer and there is often a general rule of thumb that the faster the processor, also known as the CPU, the quicker it will perform. However, in an office environment opting for a faster, which equates to more expensive, CPU can be a false economy. If you're looking for an everyday workhorse handling email, word processing and connecting to the company network, we'd suggest looking for a quad-core based system. If you're on a budget then check out dual-core processors from AMD and Intel, as such chips are powerful enough for everyday office tasks but as less suited to multi-tasking and high-end graphics work.
Memory:
Also known as RAM (Random Access Memory) computer memory is essential as it takes data from the hard drive and stores it prior to the CPU using it. Typically, the more memory your PC has, the smoother data will flow. In order for your operating system and programs to run smoothly, you need a minimum of 2GB but we'd suggest opting for at 4GB as a basic level, as this will allow you to multi-task with greater ease.
Hard drive:
Speed and capacity tend to be the two elements that make up a computer's hard drive.It is the heart of your computer as it stores everything from the operating system to the programs the user uses to individual folders and files. In an office environment speed is often preferred over capacity. Look for a drive with a minimum speed of 7200rpm (revolutions per minute).
Capacities vary widely, with the most basic drives offering around 500GB of space, while the latest drives can hold up to 2TB of information. However, do your users really need this much space? Larger drives cost more and take longer to back up. We'd recommend opting for smaller capacity hard drives and running a policy of storing data via your company network.
Monitor:
When buying a desktop PC for business you'll often need to buy the monitor separately. If you're starting from scratch this can add an extra level of choice but for an established business you'll be able to use a spare monitor already in the business. Screen size and connectivity options are the key factors. At the budget end of the market you'll find 17- to 20-inch LCD monitors costing between £80 and £120 (ex. VAT). At the other end of the scale, 24-inch monitors have now become the norm for those who carry out precision work or need that extra screen space. Budget models cost around £150 (ex. VAT) but we'd suggest paying a little more (around £250) to get the best screen resolution available.
When it comes to hooking the monitor up to your desktop PC you'll find they're linked via the PC's graphic card, which will normally come with a standard monitor port but increasingly we're seeing the addition of HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) ports, the same as on your HD TV, which offers a sharper and faster screen resolution.
Buying tips
Warranty and tech support
If you don't have in-house IT support then looking after your desktop PC needs to be out-sourced. At the most basic level you'll find that all electrical goods are covered by a 12-month warranty with an extended warranty, of up to three or even five years, can be arranged at point of purchase. Costs vary greatly depending on the level of service you require, with on-site next business day tending to be the most expensive, and all need to be factored into the overall costs of your desktop PC.
Software
A basic desktop PC will often come with just the operating system, so you'll need to budget for extra software. It may seem like a good idea to buy software at the time of purchase but this can often be a false economy. Consider which software packages you need and buy them independently depending on the number of licenses you require.
Mac versus Windows
There is an age-old rivalry between Mac and PC users but it's a fact that both systems have never been closer in terms of functionality and compatibility. For a long time, it was felt that only high-end media users, designers, music and video editors and web designers needed what the Mac has to offer. However, while it's true there is less business software on the market for Mac than Windows PCs, things are slowly starting to change. That said, we would suggest you carry out additional research on what's available before opting for a Mac as the sole option in your business.
Upgrades
IT managers love desktop PCs as they tend to be the most cost-effective piece of IT equipment in your business. PCs are designed to be infinitely upgradable, so you can switch parts and upgrade as and when you need to – something you won't find with a laptop. That said, it pays to buy a desktop PC with a fair degree of future-proofing as simply buying what you need right now is often a false economy. Upgrades will cost less at the time of purchase than later on.
Best desktop PCs for business
HP G5350uk Desktop PC
The HP G5300 comes with a sleek design with a glossy black finish, hidden ports and a VGA connection for hooking up to a separate monitor. Very much a budget desktop PC, this is a nicely rounded out PC ideal for the office.
Price: £399
Processing: Intel Core i3-550
Hard drive: 750GB
Memory: 4GB
Screen size: N/A
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
Contact: HP UK
Lenovo ThinkCentre A70
The Lenovo ThinkCentre A70 is designed with those small and medium sized businesses without an IT department in mind. Powerful and self-contained, we like that it comes with fingerprint access and individual USB port control to ensure your business information remains secure.
Price: £346
Processing: Intel Core 2 Duo E7500
Hard drive: 500GB
Memory: 2GB
Screen size: N/A
Graphics: Intel GMA X4500
Contact: Lenovo UK
Acer Veriton X275
A fraction of the size of a standard PC, the Acer Veriton X275 is a slim and compact base unit ideal for where space is limited. The tool-less and modular chassis is ideal for a corporate setting and makes upgrading the RAM and installing PCI and PCIe cards simple.
Price: £379
Processing: Intel Core2 Duo E6600
Hard drive: 160GB
Memory: 2GB
Screen size: N/A
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
Contact: Acer UK
Dell Vostro 460
Built with small business users in mind, you'll find the latest Intel processor offering plenty of performance and even a large screen for detailed on-screen analysis.
Price: £390
Processing: Intel Core i7-2600
Hard drive: 500GB
Memory: 4GB
Screen size: 21.5-inch
Graphics: 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5450
Contact: Dell UK