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September 15, 2001
Desktop PCs: Think Inside the Box
Despite increasing competition from laptops and handheld devices, deskbound systems are still alive and well in schools. Here, we bring you the latest developments.
By Jean Shields
Time was when so-called "speeds and feeds" were the main way to evaluate computers. Each year, a new chip meant that computers could do more complex tasks, more quickly. That's still true, but around that still point the landscape has shifted significantly, and now educators face an array of choices when confronting the question of what computer to buy.
While laptops and handhelds-and the wireless networking that goes along with them-have become increasingly attractive technology options for schools, the venerable desktop computer is still the workhorse of education. Whether it's running administrative systems, serving as a research gateway in the library, or supporting instruction in the classroom, the desktop's durable construction, reliability, and lower cost make it well suited for the school environment.
What's more, desktops have undergone a transformation from the big beige box of yesteryear. Available in a remarkable range of sizes-the smallest are almost as slim as a textbook-and at very reasonable prices, today's desktops give educators more choice for less money. Thanks in part to inexpensive processors like Intel's Celeron, there are now a number of low-cost "Internet devices" that specialize in less complicated applications such as Web access and word processing. (The Compaq iPAQ desktop edition listed on our chart on the following page is an example of this type of system.) Although most have enough power to take care of basic productivity applications, what these systems trade off is the ability to support advanced functions like multimedia authoring. Also, they're less expandable and have less storage. And that's the point, ultimately-they're inexpensive enough to be specialized.
Schools are uniquely well positioned to benefit from this specialization trend because of the different types of computing activities in the average school day, as well as the diverse environments in which these activities take place. For example, the system you need in the media center may not need to be as cutting-edge as the one your industrial arts instructor needs to teach computer-aided design.
Another trend in desktops is their "out of the box" network connectivity. All of the systems you'll see in our chart are Ethernet ready. In most cases, this means that drivers and even network interface cards (NICs) are standard equipment. However, you'll want to make sure that the networking options the system comes with are compatible with the network you've built. Some network companies have proprietary components, with no mixing and matching allowed. If this is a key consideration in your purchase plans, make sure you investigate the offerings carefully.
The best advice is to forget all about the hardware and think carefully about your instructional goals. Who'll be using the computer? What is the environment in which it will be used? Analyze how computers will be used, and match the tool to the task. For many schools, the majority of computer time is spent word processing and accessing the Internet-functions that less powerful systems perform quite well. If your curriculum requires more mobility, however, of course you'll want to add laptop and handheld computers into the mix.
That said, desktops continue to be an economical way to bring computing to students, faculty, and staff. They are easier to secure than portable models, and with the enhanced network manageability features built into many systems, they make it simpler to develop and maintain school networks. And now, with the diversity in processors and specialized desktop designs, educators can truly celebrate their choices.
Jean Shields is a writer and former educator in New York.
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