Speed has increased - but the price hasn't - for the high-end Micron PC available through the Lab's Basic Ordering Agreement with Micron Electronics. Under the Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) supported by the Lab's Procurement and Computing Infrastructure Support Departments, organizations can purchase discounted Micron desktop PCs with the Berkeley Lab-approved configuration.

The high-end machines are moving from 800mhz to 1ghz processors and there is also a slightly faster CD-ROM drive on the machine, but the price is unchanged. Here are some other updates and suggestions:

Configuration Choices
Users can elect to have Windows98, Windows2000 Professional or Linux (Red Hat) put on the standard machine. The Windows98 system is best for administrative uses who need guaranteed access to any of the corporate applications (including such programs as Pcard, FMS, HRIS, IRIS, Janus, or WebLETS, for example). Linux and Windows2000 Professional are targeted to the scientific, non-business users at the Lab.

Linux/Windows Dual OS Suggestions
Please note that Micron includes an OEM license of Windows98 with the Linux machines, just in case you want a dual boot environment. (This version does not come with the Office suite.)

Another option for users who have a need for more than one OS is to ask for VMware. This software allows you to switch from one OS to another without rebooting. The Price for VMWare is $99.

High-End Scientific System
Based on suggestions from a prior newsletter, we are looking at including a higher end model suitable for scientific work. We will propose choices from Dell and Micron for consideration by the scientific community. The goal would be to offer an optional choice that meets many of the requirements expressed in suggestions sent to the Computing Infrastructure Support Department. CIS hopes to have more information on this next month.

BOA Processing
Micron sends all BOA machines to Receiving where they are tagged with inventory labels and sent to the Mac/PC Support Group (MPSG) for configuring. At this time, MPSG contacts the end user, confirms the OS requiirement, and loads the standard software if required. When MPSG delivers the machine, the recipient should ask for a copy of the packing slip. This will list the components you are taking delivery of, including the media for the OS and Microsoft Office. The user then needs to send a copy of the packing slip to the Procurement buyer who acquired the machine (for record-keeping purposes).

Click here for the current Lab standard software load.