Stocking
your business with computers can quickly become one of your most expensive
undertakings this year. Between finding a reputable manufacturer and a quality
configuration, you will quickly find that computer deployments will stretch
your IT budget to its limit. Instead of going for the most high-end computer
models on the market, many business savvy professionals opt instead to go for
affordable computers which are ideal for the minimal demands of typical
business computing. Large scale computer deployments can be an economic drain,
but they don’t have to be, provided you find the right computer model. One of
the most popular choices for large scale business deployments is the IBM A31
Thinkpad, a business optimized laptop. Check out the A31’s specifications below
to see what makes it great for business performance.
The IBM A31, At a
Glance
As discussed above, you shouldn’t worry about getting the
fastest or most powerful computers for large scale business deployments. In
this department, its function over form, and quantity trumps all. The IBM A31
is a somewhat dated model by today’s standards, but that doesn’t meant that the
computer compromises quality or can’t match the expectations of the average
business computer.
The IBM ThinkPad A31 is built with the same sturdy and
professional design which IBM is well known for. Originally created for
business and corporate work environments, the A31 retains many of the features
which make it ideal for large scale business deployments. The Intel Pentium
processor has a 1.6 GHz clock speed, and while this may seem slow compared to
most of Intel’s i-series processors today, let’s just remember that the demands
put on a business computer are usually very minimal.
The IBM ThinkPad is designed for Windows XP professional,
and the processor runs the operating system with little to know slowdowns. The
ATI Radeon 7500 graphics card is fine for handling pretty much every
conceivable business applications, but don’t expect to be using it for high definition
BluRay any time soon. The fifteen inch screen has great clarity despite the
standard graphics card, and the forty gigabytes of internal memory should prove
more than sufficient for any of the data you plan to allow your employees
access to. The optical drive doubles as a CD-RW and DVD-ROM combo, and the
plug-in module allows for quick customization.
The
only complaint I had was the small memory configuration. With a standard of 256
megabytes, running all of your business applications at once will definitely
produce slowdowns. Upgrading to a full memory configuration of one gigabyte is
ideal and will greatly reduce any slow downs. Having reviewed the IBM A31specifications, you should have a good idea of what a budget friendly business
laptop should be. Just remember to aim for business functionality and you
should be well on your way to providing your employees with their own business laptop.
Best of luck!
