We are presently looking to purchase a number of notebook computers for use
by our mobile sales force, as well as semi-mobile people who work within our offices and corporate
campus. Any suggestions on picking a particular brand of machine?
Requires Free Membership to View
SearchMobileComputing.com members gain immediate and unlimited access to expert guides for mobile deployment, management and security, industry trends, and more-- all at no cost. Join me on SearchMobileComputing.com today!
Kate Gerwig, Editorial Director
Of course! Don't necessarily buy by brand name alone. Before signing on the dotted line,
examine each potential supplier's service and support restrictions, and look at how much these
"soft costs" might cost you over time (software, service, training, and so on). A good idea is to
first come up with some kind of return on investment strategy, and establish a formula for
measuring the productivity and value of these systems over time. Be sure to include soft and hard
costs into this model. You should also look at the expandability of these systems. Most companies
look to keep a mobile computer up and running for at least two years, so be sure the hardware can
keep pace with your needs without requiring an upgrade (which can cost money and may result in
compatibility problems). I would recommend looking for a system with some kind of built-in personal
area networking capability (802.11a or b), since mobile workers can take advantage of remote "hot
spots" and plug-in cards and other devices have a tendency to be lost or broken. Also, be sure to
consider battery power and capabilities, since a dead system is nothing more than an expensive door
stop. You may want to look at new and emerging chip technologies, such as Intel's new Centrino,
which combines wireless communication and processing power into a single chip configuration. The
result is improved battery life and more performance.
This was first published in March 2003