Small Office Computers advise

[pgudge]

I have been enjoying the supply of small Compaq Evo D5xx systems for suppling to my friends, customers etc, but the supply has run out from my current supplier. I am now left trying to find a decend barebone/system bundle to replace these Compaqs.

SFF is not really a neccesatity, but desired and they take little room up on the desks. The Compaqs I was buying were P4 1.7MHz - 1.8MHz and I have never had a faulty one todate.

What bundle, barebone, pre built system can anyone recomend for little business use (Windows XP Pro, Office), some of the customers request AutoCAD also so the ability to put a faster gfx card should it need one it a plus.

Thanks for your time.

Paul.

[joshwa]

Dell do similar sized models that could be worth looking at - they do some good deals every now and again. Or are you looking for older than new?

[nichomach]

In terms of SFF, for general office use, the Optiplex GX620 USFF are nice. They don't have much upgradability, however, and they use a modular bay for the CD or floppy. The SF variant, which is still very compact, can take an X600. You say that some of the users request AutoCAD; are they using any of the 3D rendering capabilities of the Viz renderer or are they just doing 2D work? If the former, they may well need some 3D horsepower, although if there's multiple users in the same office all doing that you should really look at the possibility of a network renderer. If standalone and the rendering is a major or important part of their job, then they should be looking at something like the Precision range with a good Quadro card in. Bigger chassis though. Alternatively, you could look at a self-build. edit: For the well-heeled client, Iwill make THIS. If they're just doing 2D, then TBH as long as the quality's there, then they don't need a top of the line graphics card.