Offering regional and national programs, CIO (and CSO) events bring together some of the most respected names and thought leaders in information technology and security. Presented by CIOs and other senior level executives, these invitation-only programs offer timely topics and strong networking. Learn More »
Social Responsibility's Strategic Benefits
December 15, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM US/Eastern (GMT-5)
Join Ed Granger-Happ, CIO of Save the Children, for a discussion of how creating an organization that is socially responsible improves staffing, retention, leadership development and overall corporate health.
Working With and Communicating to Your Board of Directors
January 13, 2009, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM US/Eastern (GMT-5)
CIO panelists who will share tips and experiences working with their boards: Twila Day of SYSCO; Jeff O'Hare, West Corp.; Marc West, formerly with H&R Block.
IT's Role in Growing Mid-Market Companies
January 14, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET (GMT-5)
Mid-market Council members will share their companies' stories and challenges in driving or coping with growth. Panelists represent Veterinary Pet Insurance, Medicis Pharmaceutical, and Intrax Cultural Exchange.
Learn more about the CIO Executive Council »
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What to Look For in a New Desktop
When buying your next PC, you should select--and avoid--certain key features.
May 27, 2008 — PC World — Buying a desktop PC might seem to be a straightforward process, but choosing an ideal configuration requires some important decision making. Should you choose a SATA drive or an SAS drive? Should the PC include a Blu-ray drive? Many newer features are increasingly affordable and increasingly necessary, while others are things you can definitely wait on. To help you decide which options are must-haves, and which you can bypass, we've put together a checklist of options to consider. Read on for help in deciding how to configure your next desktop purchase.
OPERATING SYSTEM: GO FORWARD TO GO BACK
Let's face it: Microsoft Vista has suffered some black eyes from people and businesses that have had serious trouble getting it to operate consistently, reliably, and quickly, as well as from those who simply prefer the XP interface.
That's why you may find the option for an XP downgrade on new PCs welcome, if rather odd. You're essentially buying Vista, but getting XP for free, and obtaining an upgrade disk for Vista when and if you want it. If you buy the Vista Business edition, models and makers that support this optionà will impose no additional charge; if you buy a cheaper Vista version, you may have to pay additional fees, or an XP downgrade may not be available.
Dell's arrangement is typical: by choosing its "bonus" edition of Vista Business or better, you can opt to have the factory install Windows XP and include an upgrade DVD for that flavor of Vista. Dell offers support through the computer's lifetime warranty for both XP and Vista. You can even downgrade back to XP if you choose.
Since most businesses haven't standardized on Vista, you're unlikely to have problems with coworkers or other companies you work with if you stick with XP; operating systems rarely affect compatibility, either, only tech support.
Our verdict: For your operating system, buy Vista Business with XP preinstalled for the greatest flexibility.
Deploying Windows Vista to the Desktop: Get It Right with Dell
Lifetime Products uses HP Thin Clients to improve workplace security and efficiency
Dell Pro Support Mobility Services: Connect and Protect Workers on the Go With Dell Prosupport Mobility Services
Dell PC Deployment Optimization Model
Software Quality and Testing: A CIO Perspective
The Case for A Specialized Security Platform
Enabling the Global Enterprise
Get a grip on your mobile workforce Webcast
Save with 0% Lease Offer on HP Servers and Storage
The State of the Great Windows Vista Migration and the Latest Research on What Real Customers Say
Liberation through Automation: How You Can Automate Your PC Deployment and Help Free Up IT Resources
Windows Vista: Essential Benefits and Deployment Strategies
Resource Alerts
Get instant email notifications by topic when white papers, webcasts, and case studies are added to our library.
Sun buys cloud-computing vendor Q-layer
LG adds wireless features to new LCD TVs
Verizon to include Microsoft Live Search on phones
US in danger of losing green-tech competition, experts say
Nearly 1 Million Jobs Could Be Created By IT Stimulus, Study Says
SAP wants Oracle to reveal software, support profit margins
Zuckerberg: Facebook hits 150M member mark
Report: Microsoft to Offer Free Windows 7 Upgrades
Salesforce suffers system wide outage
Cisco: Huge international interest in developer contest
Just the basics, please. Sometimes we all need a refresher or we need to make sure our team and our colleagues are all on the same page.
Over 25 tutorials on everything from business intelligence to virtualization.
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