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Fox Engineering Inc.
-Small Business PC Page-
Fox Engineering Inc.
PO Box 215
Spencerville, MD 20868
(301) 421-4130

Recommended Configuration for a Small-Sized Business Computer (2009)


CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad (2.3Ghz or better, 1066 Mhz FSB) w/Intel chipset family
Alternate CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo ( 2.8 Ghz or better, 1066 Mhz FSB) w/Intel chipset family
** BIOS: Phoenix/Award BIOS
Memory: 2048 MBytes total, DDR2, dual channel (1024 MBytes each), PC2-6400 rating (800 Mhz)
Alternate Memory: 4096 MBytes
Case: MiniTower (two 3 1/2" plus three 5 1/4" bays); Small Desktop; Tall Tower required for complex high performance systems
Keyboard: Standard Windows104 Keys (USB)
Pointing Device: optical mouse with scroll wheel (USB)
Note: Pay attention to ergonomics and ease of use
Floppy Disk: Not required anymore
Hard Drive: SATA2 320 Gigabyte; 7200 rpm, 16MB cache; RAID qualified
Alt Hard Drive: SATA2 500 Gigabyte, 7200 rpm, 168MB cache; RAID qualified
Consider dual 500 GB hard drives, or larger, in a RAID 1 configuration for greater reliability

Partition Info: Single business user: Recommend 25% primary partition for OS and applications.  Store all DATA on extended partition (always backup your data)
Partition Info: Multiple business users: At least 50% of drive for primary OS partition and applications; Store photos, images & common files on extended partition (always backup your data)
Optical Disk Drive: DVD Reader/Writer (also reads and writes CDs)
Optional Additional Optical DD: DVD >8x Reader
**  Video Board: PCI-Express w/128 MBytes(minimum) and 3D (128+ MBytes even better);  For imaging use 256 MBytes or more
Alternate Video: Directly integrated into the motherboard (for simple Office Suite and Web activities)
Video Display LCD: 22" minimum, perhaps 24" (resolution is fixed on LCDs) contrast >400, brightness >250 nits
No more than 3 dead pixels (always on) per screen; no more than 5 dead pixels (always dark)
Sound Board: PCI based Sound Card if sound not on motherboard (most motherboards have sound built-in)
Speakers: Small, Price $25 or under are sufficient
Modem: Dial-up modems generally not required any more

ADSL or Cable service probably available in your area -- these require different modems
FIOS (Fiber service) may be available, this uses a WAN/LAN router

(Note: Firewall absolutely required with any Internet use)
LAN: Card: 1000 mb Ethernet (sometimes on motherboard) or 10/100/1000 mb Ethernet card
Wireless: generally NOT recommended for business environments.  If needed, use 802.11g as a minimum, use WPA or greater encryption, don't advertise SSID, maybe even access by MAC address only.
LAN Cable: Cat 6 or 6E unshielded twisted pair wire
Backup Strategy: DVD is currently the most popular; Also use Network Attached Storage.
(Note: BACKUP to DVD and TAKE OFF SITE!!)
Power Sys Backup: UPS 6 minutes minimum - 500 watts/650+VA or better
Operating System: Windows XP-Professional (32-bit edition)
Green IT: RoHS specification (no lead); 80 Plus (power supply efficiency better than 82%; EPEAT (Silver minimum); Energy Star 4.0 or better; Recycle you old computer.
VIRUS Protection, Anti Spyware, and Firewalls
If you connect to the Internet, you need a minimum of three forms of protection against intruders:  A virus detection software package, a Spyware protection software, and a software or hardware firewall.  Here are but some of the better products you can choose from:
Virus Protection
McAfee: VirusScan $
Symantec:
Norton AntiVirus $
TrendMicro: AntiVirus $
GRISOFT: AVG Antivirus $
Spyware Protection
Microsoft: Microsoft AntiSypware (beta) (free)
Webroot: Webroot Spy Sweeper ($)
Firewall Protection
Zone Labs: Zone Alarm
McAfee: Firewall $
Symantec: Norton Firewall $
Always keep your Firewall and Virus Protection software up to date!
** Recommend You Use a NAME BRAND only for this item - see below
NAME BRANDS
In some cases, use of Name Brands (instead of generic brands) is critical to system success.  This is especially true for the more modern Operating Systems like Windows and Linux. The drivers required to operate the peripheral devices need to be obtained from a ready source.  Some generic products do not have WEB or technical support and it may be impossible to locate the manufacturer. Use of name brands in these cases also assures drivers are included infuture editions of these modern OSs.  Use of a "product compatible" rating will not suffice with today's modern Operating Systems! 
Name Brand Power System Backup Products
American Power Conversion
http://www.apc.com/
Name Brand LAN Products
D-Link http://www.dlink.com/
NetGear http://www.NetGear.com/
Linksys http://www.linksys.com
Operating Systems
Windows http://www.microsoft.com/
NOTE

Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items...but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner.  Name Brand suggestions are not all inclusive.
http://www.Fox-Engineering.com
info2 AT Fox-Engineering DOT com
Copyright © 2004-2009 Fox Engineering Inc.
Last Updated: 19 Jan 2009