[Originally published May 11, 2017]
This desknote purchasing guide includes specifications from Information Systems & Computing (ISC) for a category of workstation that includes some of the portability of a notebook along with some of the performance of a desktop. Desknotes generally are not usable as conventional notebooks—they are too large (6 to 9 pounds) and often have too little battery life (often under 3 hours). They are, however, a reasonable trade-off for users who rarely move their workstations or who need maximum portable power for uses such as CAD or video manipulation.
Desknote manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Apple and Dell.
If your school or center is considering a significant quantity of desknote purchases, ISC strongly recommends a consultation to weigh the pros and cons in today's rapidly changing environment (contact John Mulhern III in ISC, mulhernj@isc.upenn.edu; 573-3567).
These systems are generally used as a primary desktop system or ‘desktop-equivalent’. These desknotes tend to weigh between six and ten pounds and have larger (15.4-inch to 17.0-inch) screens. In performance and capability, they tend to meet or exceed last year's desktop recommendations.
Revised May 8, 2017 - Specifications are reviewed and updated as appropriate.
| — Category — | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
|
Processor |
Core i5 (any) |
Core i7 (any) |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
|
Mass Storage |
256 GB SSD |
256 GB SSD |
|
Display and Graphics |
15.6-inch to 17.0-inch (Full HD or above) |
15.4-inch |
|
Miscellaneous |
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) |
internal Bluetooth |
|
Network Connection |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet (via adaptor) |
|
Recommended Operating System |
Windows 10 Anniversary Update |
macOS Sierra (10.12) |
| Support Period | 42 months to 4 years | 42 months to 4 years |
| Estimated Price | $1,400 to $1,700 | $2,250 to $2,450 |
Examples of these systems are the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch, the Dell Latitude 5580, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T570.
These systems are a relatively new category of portable workstations, with specialized software loadouts, optimized hardware, and considerable expense. They are lighter than classic portable workstations and tend to weigh between four and six pounds and have 15.4-inch to 15.6-inch screens. In performance and capability, they tend to easily exceed last year's desktop recommendations.
Revised May 8, 2017 - Specifications are reviewed and updated as appropriate.
| — Category — | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
|
Processor |
Core i7 (any) |
Core i7 (any) |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB to 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Hard Disk | 512 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD |
|
Display & Graphics |
15.4-inch to 15.6-inch (Full HD or above) |
15.4-inch high resolution |
|
Miscellaneous |
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) |
internal Bluetooth |
|
Network Connection |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet (via adaptor) |
|
Recommended Operating System |
Windows 10 Anniversary Update |
macOS Sierra (10.12) |
| Support Period | 42 months to 4 years | 42 months to 4 years |
| Estimated Price | $2,050 to $2,850 | $2,850 |
Examples of these systems are the Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch, the Dell Precision 5520, and the Lenovo ThinkPad P51s.
These systems are generally used as portable workstations, with specialized software loadouts, optimized hardware, and considerable expense. These desknotes tend to weigh between six and nine pounds and have larger (15.4-inch to 17.0-inch) screens. In performance and capability, they tend to easily exceed last year's desktop recommendations. Apple currently makes no products in this space.
Revised May 8, 2017 - Specifications are reviewed and updated as appropriate.
| — Category — | Windows |
|---|---|
|
Processor |
Core i7 (any) |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB to 32 GB |
| Mass Storage | 512 GB SSD |
|
Display and Graphics |
15.4-inch to 17.0-inch (Full HD or above) |
|
Miscellaneous |
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) |
|
Network Connection |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
|
Recommended Operating System |
Windows 10 Anniversary Update |
| Support Period | 42 months to 4 years |
| Estimated Price | $1,900 to $2,800 |
Examples of these systems are the Dell Precision 7520, the Dell Precision 7720, the Hewlett-Packard Zbook 17, the Lenovo ThinkPad P51, and the Lenovo ThinkPad P70.
- Processor speed is no longer considered important, but the class of processor (e.g., Core i5, Core i7, etc.) is vital. A more detailed University-centric perspective on processors is available from ISC's Processor Guide.
-
Windows 10 Anniversary Update or above (64-bit Pro, Enterprise, and Enterprise LTSB editions) is recommended for new systems. ISC does not recommend but will support all 32-bit versions of Windows 10 and the 64-bit version of Windows 10 Home. Home lacks important networking, security, and compatibility features, such as domain-based authentication, that are essential to many Schools and Centers in the University.
-
macOS Sierra (10.12) is the only choice for new Macintosh systems as Apple's newly released systems always require the latest version of macOS. Apple's Boot Camp technology offers added flexibility for users who need to use Windows 10 occasionally. It should not be used to turn a Macintosh into a largely Windows system. Boot Camp requires that both the Windows and the macOS operating systems be patched and maintained.
- Estimated pricing for these desknotes includes three-year service plans from the manufacturers, which ISC strongly recommends. Note that the three year warranty is an extra cost for some desknotes (including Macintoshes) and that this cost is reflected in the estimated price. Pricing is generated using the online configurators available from Dell and Apple and is for general reference only. Support providers often can generate significantly more competitive pricing, often with the assistance of the University's Computer Connection.