MPC (formerly Micron) has announced a new series of desktop computers as upgrades to our current lab standard, the Client Pro 345 model. The new model, the 365, uses the latest Intel chipset (915G) which represents a major change in the underlying technology in desktop computing. This system will benefit some users at the Lab who need more capacity through components on the motherboard. It provides significant upside potential for some users who tend to push the envelope for commodity PCs.

When will it be available?

The system will not begin shipping until Aug. 16. Information Technologies and Services Division (ITSD) will keep the current model at the Lab’s store for users who need a computer quickly, and make the 365 available for order. Eventually, only one model will be available. Until then, most office users will find the 345 to be well suited to their tasks.

What’s the difference?

The major difference in the Client Pro 365 is the motherboard. The key differences are the core logic chips and the communication mechanism they utilize. Built-in components like high definition audio, integrated graphics and Ethernet also benefit. Some disk features are approaching capabilities seen in SCSI drives in the past. The serial ATA drives available with the new model go from 80 gigabytes to 200 gigabytes.

We still suggest higher end add on components for some users. ITSD will be adding additional high end NVIDIA graphics cards that use PCI express. However it’s recommended that most users accept the built-in components, which are part of the motherboard (our default configuration). ITSD also recommends a variety of flat panel monitors, suggesting Samsung as a default. The latest 19" flat panel model (910T) from Samsung replaces the well received 191T that many customers at the Lab acquired in the past.

How do I get one?

You can find quotes and configurations for Standard Windows PCs online. Attain an electronic quote and provide the quote when doing the requisition for procurement.

Please note that the 345 will generally arrive at the lab within 10 days of order. This will not be true for the 365 for at least the next month. As MPC's manufacturing capacity builds up, they will ship more quickly.

What happens when my system is received by the lab?

As always, a Lab standard image with the latest security patches, Norton Antivirus (we have a site license) and common Lab applications (like Calendar, Mozilla and Winzip) will be installed on the systems unless the customer tells us to do otherwise. All systems come with XP, but the Mac/PC Support group can address legacy operating systems (Windows 2000 if the system is required to host an application that does not work with XP).

What does ITSD recommend?

If you are planning to acquire a large group of computers that are part of a three year replacement strategy and feel you will need to push the envelope on performance by the time the cycle ends, order the 365s and accept the wait. (They will be here before fiscal year end if you order them within the next month.) If your program needs a computer now, and it is to be used for normal office applications, the 345 will be fine. The cost should be the same.