Using "home" branded microsoft products for business uses..

SidewinderINC · 19-01-2011, 21:51

Hi All,

Got a few quick questions regarding (very) small business computers.

My girlfriends dad runs his own limited company as a surveyor and needs to upgrade his computer as his current one is pretty slow.
He's spoken to me about it but as I'm pretty out of the loop I said I'd have to look into it.

He has a colleague that has told him a few things that I think are BS (due to the fact his colleague said you NEED an HDMI monitor & cable to run high resolutions) but not 100% sure on which are;

1. MS office 2003 will NOT work with windows 7.

2. if you're using the computer for business purposes, even if it's only 2 people using it, you have to have professional/business software licences for MS stuff.

3. If you want to run a program in "XP mode" you have to have an i3 or i5 processor and >4GB ram.

He's looked on a few dodgy sites relating to building your own spec PC, which I've shooed him away from as he knows nothing about the hardware so was randomly clicking buttons that he thought were right.

ideally I want to get a complete unit from somewhere, with a good warranty and support if I can't get there (Read: get annoyed and refuse to help) to help him out .

Can anyone help me with the above, and possibly help me with getting him a new machine

Cheers

Sinc.

divine · 19-01-2011, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidewinderINC

you NEED an HDMI monitor & cable to run high resolutions

bull****, HDMI is virtually the same as DVI with regards video signal but in a different shaped connector

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidewinderINC

1. MS office 2003 will NOT work with windows 7.

bull****, i'm running it now

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidewinderINC

2. if you're using the computer for business purposes, even if it's only 2 people using it, you have to have professional/business software licences for MS stuff.

bull****, the professional versions just tend to come with more features to assist network deployment etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidewinderINC

3. If you want to run a program in "XP mode" you have to have an i3 or i5 processor and >4GB ram.

sort of right but confused, windows 7 'xp mode' is a virtual machine setup and he'd never need use it, it's aimed at big business who need it for proper legacy stuff that can't run under compatibility mode. You do need a CPU with appropriate virtualization support to use it (Some Core2 usually named vPro, all Corei afaik, can't remember AMDs support). 4GB isn't required but probably sensible if you did need to use it regularly. I don't think he'd ever ever need to touch it.

Simplest solution - an appropriately priced Dell Vostro machine from the Dell Small Business store.

SidewinderINC · 19-01-2011, 22:00

Well I knew the top one was BS dude

Regarding #3
How much software works in compatibility mode? I'll get the info about what he uses, but he does use some pretty old CAD software, and the licence for the newest version is something like £1,000

divine · 19-01-2011, 22:03

It made the post flow better

I've not yet encountered any software at home that even needs compatibility mode, never mind needing to be run inside it's own personal VM. Do you know what CAD software he uses?

I can't imagine it'd be much older than AutoCAD 2004, which I would expect to work ok in 7.

SidewinderINC · 19-01-2011, 22:08

well the vostro systems seem pretty good for the price - what's dell service like?

I like the fact that they're actually advertised as business machines, and have business service (if it's good)

The other machines I was looking at were MESH, only because I've used their pre-builds and they're solid.

Burble · 19-01-2011, 22:09

I've had limited success with compatibility mode, it usually does a good job but it isn't perfect.

XP mode is a nice option especially as it's quite seamless - you aren't necessarily aware than you're booting up another OS with the exception of the initial startup time. The integration into 7 is very nice though as you get an icon for the app that'll start the VM and the app.

Building your own machine for business is something I'd never consider. There's a lot to be said for a warranty and tech support phone number. It'll most likely cost more to buy but it'll more than pay for itself with the amount of arsing about you most likely won't have to do.

divine · 19-01-2011, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidewinderINC

well the vostro systems seem pretty good for the price - what's dell service like?

I like the fact that they're actually advertised as business machines, and have business service (if it's good)

The other machines I was looking at were MESH, only because I've used their pre-builds and they're solid.

As far as I am aware, Dell business support is a totally separate entity to the consumer support, and is much better regarded. However (for obvious reasons) i've not dealt directly with them so that isn't first hand experience. I'm sure there are people here who will have done though.

Burble · 19-01-2011, 22:16

Dell business support is pretty good. Even with the enterprise kit you'll get a 1st level support guy asking if you're rebooted but once you get past that they're usually quick at getting things sorted.

We've got around 600 Dell workstations and laptops in the company and they don't tend to go wrong very often. When they do go wrong they're nearly always fixed next business day. There have been a few occasions where they've turned up with a knackered spare part but it's far from common.

SidewinderINC · 19-01-2011, 22:22

Thanks guys, all answers I was hoping for - will get a dell system priced up.

Can't seem to access the Vostro 430 systems though

divine · 19-01-2011, 22:29

It might be worth looking at the workstation machines if he's a heavy CAD user but if it's nothing mad, then a Core i3/i5, 4GB RAM and a basic GeForce GT card should be fine.

My machine at work can happily have 20-25 drawings open before I start wanting more RAM or wishing the Core 2 Duo was a bit beefier.

19-01-2011, 21:51	#1
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	Using "home" branded microsoft products for business uses.. Hi All, Got a few quick questions regarding (very) small business computers. My girlfriends dad runs his own limited company as a surveyor and needs to upgrade his computer as his current one is pretty slow. He's spoken to me about it but as I'm pretty out of the loop I said I'd have to look into it. He has a colleague that has told him a few things that I think are BS (due to the fact his colleague said you NEED an HDMI monitor & cable to run high resolutions) but not 100% sure on which are; 1. MS office 2003 will NOT work with windows 7. 2. if you're using the computer for business purposes, even if it's only 2 people using it, you have to have professional/business software licences for MS stuff. 3. If you want to run a program in "XP mode" you have to have an i3 or i5 processor and >4GB ram. He's looked on a few dodgy sites relating to building your own spec PC, which I've shooed him away from as he knows nothing about the hardware so was randomly clicking buttons that he thought were right. ideally I want to get a complete unit from somewhere, with a good warranty and support if I can't get there (Read: get annoyed and refuse to help) to help him out . Can anyone help me with the above, and possibly help me with getting him a new machine Cheers Sinc. __________________ No Sig.

19-01-2011, 22:03	#4
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	It made the post flow better I've not yet encountered any software at home that even needs compatibility mode, never mind needing to be run inside it's own personal VM. Do you know what CAD software he uses? I can't imagine it'd be much older than AutoCAD 2004, which I would expect to work ok in 7. __________________

19-01-2011, 22:08	#5
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	well the vostro systems seem pretty good for the price - what's dell service like? I like the fact that they're actually advertised as business machines, and have business service (if it's good) The other machines I was looking at were MESH, only because I've used their pre-builds and they're solid. __________________ No Sig.

19-01-2011, 22:22	#9
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	Thanks guys, all answers I was hoping for - will get a dell system priced up. Can't seem to access the Vostro 430 systems though __________________ No Sig.

19-01-2011, 22:29	#10
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	It might be worth looking at the workstation machines if he's a heavy CAD user but if it's nothing mad, then a Core i3/i5, 4GB RAM and a basic GeForce GT card should be fine. My machine at work can happily have 20-25 drawings open before I start wanting more RAM or wishing the Core 2 Duo was a bit beefier. __________________

19-01-2011, 22:00	#3
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	Well I knew the top one was BS dude Regarding #3 How much software works in compatibility mode? I'll get the info about what he uses, but he does use some pretty old CAD software, and the licence for the newest version is something like £1,000 __________________ No Sig.

19-01-2011, 22:09	#6
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I've had limited success with compatibility mode, it usually does a good job but it isn't perfect. XP mode is a nice option especially as it's quite seamless - you aren't necessarily aware than you're booting up another OS with the exception of the initial startup time. The integration into 7 is very nice though as you get an icon for the app that'll start the VM and the app. Building your own machine for business is something I'd never consider. There's a lot to be said for a warranty and tech support phone number. It'll most likely cost more to buy but it'll more than pay for itself with the amount of arsing about you most likely won't have to do.

19-01-2011, 22:16	#8
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Dell business support is pretty good. Even with the enterprise kit you'll get a 1st level support guy asking if you're rebooted but once you get past that they're usually quick at getting things sorted. We've got around 600 Dell workstations and laptops in the company and they don't tend to go wrong very often. When they do go wrong they're nearly always fixed next business day. There have been a few occasions where they've turned up with a knackered spare part but it's far from common.