Finding the right hardware platform
Making sure you make the right decisions when it comes to hardware is no easy task for smaller businesses, as Jason Slater discovers.

Upgrading to Windows 7 for Small and Midsize Businesses, especially if you are considering a migration from Vista or XP.
Fortunately, there are some options for small businesses, particularly when it comes to the notebook, including the Dell Vostro, Toshiba Satellite Pro, and the HP ProBook. For the netbook we are leaning towards the Samsung N150, or the HP Mini 210 (although we will have Windows 7 Starter Edition to contend with). The all-in-one is proving to be the most interesting so far as we have a mix of machines available, all running Windows 7 Home Premium including the HP Touchsmart, Dell Inspiron One, Sony Vaio L Series, and the Packard Bell oneTwo. One thing to remember is that the Windows 7 Anytime upgrade from Home Premium to Professional is around 100 (]and the same for the netbook Starter to Professional).
Next time we will look at regular backups and how to get our data back in case of disaster. We'll also tackle how we go about networking the machines whilst ensuring our data is safe.
Jason Slater is a columnist for IT PRO and has just set up his own company.
Comments? Questions? You can have your say below or follow Jason on Twitter here.
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
-
Managing NHIs in the enterprise
Industry Insights Enterprise concerns about managing non-human identities create channel opportunities
-
Apple just released an emergency patch for a zero-day exploited in the wild
News Apple is warning millions of users of iPhones, iPads and Macs to update their software to protect against an out-of-bounds write vulnerability
-
How monitors deepen your employee experience and support your distributed workforce
whitepaper Drive business outcomes by empowering, enabling, and inspiring employees with the right monitors wherever they work from
-
Driving employee experience and productivity across industries
whitepaper Monitors are an imperative in the hybrid era
-
Forrester: Power up your hybrid workplace with monitors
whitepaper Evolve remote work policies into work-and-learn-from-anywhere strategies
-
Forrester: Sustainable monitors
whitepaper Monitors are an imperative in the hybrid era
-
The time has come to say arrivederci to the all-in-one PC
Opinion Laptops and desktops do it better, faster, smaller, lighter, so what need is there for a jack of all trades?
-
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2022) GU603Z review: Huge processing power you can carry with you
Reviews The Zephyrus M16 combines a potent 14-core processor with capable graphics and features in a bag-friendly format
-
Alienware x17 R2 review: A frighteningly fast content creation monster
Reviews Colossal power and a rock-solid exterior make for an expensive portable powerhouse
-
Dell XPS 17 review: Serious power in a portable package
Reviews A huge 4K screen and loads of processing power in a package that can still be used on the move