Best Client Hardware - 09 Sep 2002

DESKTOP COMPUTERS
Although Technology Distribution Network's TDN Panther series captured our Readers' Choice Award for Best Desktop Computers, Dell's OptiPlex managed a close second with write-in votes.

TDN's Series 7000+ offers an Intel Pentium 4 processor at 1.6 GHz, 128 MB DDR DIMM, 40GB hard drive, NVIDIA graphics accelerator, CDRW, fax/modem, LAN adapter, and Windows XP Home Edition. Outside is the distinctive elegance of a black case with coordinating keyboard, the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer, and a three-piece speaker system.

Dell OptiPlex desktops provide corporate customers with reliable, stable, manageable, and easily serviced systems within networked environments.

LAPTOP/NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS
After showing a strong presence as a write-in vote for desktop computers, Dell captured a Readers' Choice Award with its Latitude notebooks.

Latitude notebooks meet the wide-ranging needs of business and organizations that want to deploy an easy-to-network, standardized, business notebook platform that includes powerful performance, portability, and flexibility. Dell focuses on helping customers protect long-term hardware investments by ensuring commonality of peripheral modules and docking solutions that in turn contribute to a lower total cost of ownership.

From wireless-ready, highly expandable, full-featured models like the C840 to thin, light, ultra-portable models like the X200, the Dell Latitude family is designed to meet a business' changing needs.

PDAs
Hardly anyone in IT is without a PDA these days, and our readers chose Handspring's Visor Pro as their favorite.

The Handspring Visor Pro is a powerful, rechargeable handheld with 16MB of memory—room for just about all your business and personal needs, from databases and documents to photos and games. And with the Springboard expansion slot, you can add even more functionality, such as a digital camera, wireless modem, or PowerPoint presenter.

In addition to organizer functions such as an address book, a to do list, and a memo pad, Visor Pro offers new features such as Fast Lookup, an enhanced date book, an advanced calculator, and a world clock. Visor Pro not only delivers fast and powerful performance, but also it runs on a rechargeable battery that charges right in the HotSync cradle.

THIN CLIENTS
Neoware's ThinSTAR won our Best Thin Client Readers' Choice Award by a thin margin, besting TeleVideo's TeleCLIENT by only one vote.

ThinSTAR by Neoware uses open, industry-standard technologies, creating high-performance desktop devices while controlling IT costs and easing management headaches. These thin client appliances offer end-to-end Microsoft compatibility, including being CE .NET ready.

ThinSTAR offers ease of administration, minimal maintenance, simplicity of use, and cost savings when compared with PC-based solutions. And ThinSTAR connects to virtually any peripheral with serial, parallel, and USB ports.

The runner-up, TeleCLIENT TC7380, is an integrated unit that combines the maintenance-free qualities of TeleVideo's Thin Clients with the brightness and efficiency of today's sought-after LCD monitors into one space-saving package. Connect multiple TC7380s to central servers for easy management, tighter security, and greater cost savings.

In addition, TeleCLIENT's flexibility lets you continue to run existing terminal and Windows-based applications seamlessly through supported protocols such as Citrix MetaFrame and Microsoft RDP. Also included are legacy and USB ports so you can stay connected to existing and future peripherals.