What computer is right for my business?

This question is asked a lot and business owners usually rely on outside help to try and answer these questions.  Desktop or laptop?  Do I need a server?  Do I need a network?  Understand the pro’s and cons of these can help lead you into the right direction.

Desktop or laptop?  To be mobile or to not be mobile that is the question here.  Laptops are fantastic computers due to their small size and mobility.  However, this mobility comes at a cost.  Laptops in general are 1.5 to 2 times more expensive then a business class desktop computer and some can even be more expensive than that.

The answer to this question is another question.  How much mobility does your day to day business require you to have?  Do you travel to client sites or are you working strictly out of your office?  If you are traveling, then laptops are the correct choice whereas desktops are for those that are working from a static location.

The pros of a laptop are that they are mobile.  Allowing you to be productive in almost any area.  Compact and sleek designs and highly functional.

Some cons of laptops are similar in nature.  Higher cost, security risks (theft of property), not as easily upgraded.

Desktop computers are the exact opposite of the laptop.   Lower operating cost but are designed to be stationary instead of mobile.  They are easily upgraded thus extending their life span over the laptop.

What’s the difference between a business class system and system that I purchase at my local electronic store?  Home computers are produced in mass quantities and are pre-configured.  Less power, smaller hard drives or cheaper less reliable ones. Less expensive mass-produced motherboards and processors.  All designed to keep the cost lower.  Business class systems are configured with tried and true technology.  They consist of higher quality parts, such as motherboards, processors, hard drives.

How about a server, do I really need one?  This question is based upon your business model.  Will you be running programs that you wish to be shared throughout your organization or is everyone operating independently?  Servers offer shared storage across your network and the ability to run network enabled programs.  One central location for all your company data storage.  Servers are more reliable than desktop computers depending on how they are configured.  Servers will have a RAID configuration which stands for Redundant Array of Independent Drives.  This means that multiple hard drives are installed into the server box which allows for stripping of data across multiple drives.  Depending on the size of the RAID you could have multiple hard drives fail and not loose a minute of work.  Servers offer more security for your network.  Control over user logons and areas in which employees can access.    Servers are an investment into your business.  They are more expensive just due to the nature of how they are configured and licensing for all your users.  A powerful server can be configured as multiple virtual servers giving you even more flexibility.  Servers can have a much longer lifespan when working in the business environment and I suggest looking to replace servers between 8 – 10 years from time of purchase.

If you are running more than one computer than you will want some sort of network.  Even if you do not have a server and each computer is working independently from each other.  The network will allow for the sharing of network resources such as printers, faxes and internet to name a few.   For the simplest of networks, you could use the modem that comes with your internet service to connect a few devices together.  For more systems you simply add a switch that allows for more connections.

In conclusion, you will want to have an idea of how you would like your business to function electronically.  Having a simple plan and design will make all the difference in deciding what systems will work best for your business.