No-Frills Corporate PC
Written: Jan 08 '08 (Updated Jan 10 '08)
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Pros: An easy PC platform to support when bought in mass.
Cons: Boring case design, mini-tower case limits expansion.
The Bottom Line: If you need to purchase and support a large amount of computers, the HP Compaq dx2300 is just as good as Dell's Optiplex line.
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| nad_masters's Full Review: Hewlett Packard Compaq DX2300 Microtower (RT952UT#... |
HP Compaq dx2300
The HP Compaq dx2300 is a no-frills mini-tower PC that caters to the corporate world very well. With it's no-nonsense styling, and relatively good expansion, it's easy to see why HP Compaq (they are the same company now, if you didn't know) are just as popular as Dells in the corporate scene.
When I started my new job, I was given a brand new HP Compaq dx2300 that was still in the box. It was up to me to set it up myself. This gave me a chance to get to know my new PC inside and out.
As received, the HP Compaq dx2300 is a modest machine. Since these are build-to-order PCs, configuration can vary, so performance benchmarks are irrelevant. What is relevant in a corporate PC is that it is easy to upgrade, fairly consistent, and that key components do not change (much). The reason why consistency is important is that supporting many different machines with different configurations that require different drivers is a nightmare. Having a consistent build makes it easy for us (the tech support team) to support. Being able to have a few hard drive images for a few different models is easier than needing to reinstall the OS and all programs from scratch because creating hard drive images for different machines is not feasible.
Configuration
The motherboard of the dx3000 uses the same components in their entire dx3000 line. The things that you can configure online are CPU, memory, hard drive, and optical drive. None of these components affect driver installs.
The components that are consistent are:
Sound - Reaktek HD Audio
Chipset - Intel 946GZ Express
NIC - Intel PRO/100 VE Integrated NIC
Video - Intel 946GZ Express Integrated Video
These components can be configured to your liking online, but when I received my dx2300, it was configured as such:
CPU - Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2140 (1.6 GHz)
Memory - 1x 512 MB of Samsung DDR2 PC-5300
Hard Drive - 80 GB SATA Western Digital
Optical Drive - SATA CD-ROM drive (unknown-branded)
As you can see, it is a fairly ho-humm work PC. The memory and optical drive were considered insufficient for a member in the tech support team, so my manager quickly purchased 2 GB of memory (2x 1GB sticks) and a SATA DVD-RW drive.
Expansion
The ability to upgrade is also very important in a corporate PC. This gives an organization the flexibility to keep up with the ever growing technology leaps without spending more on new equipment. While most mini-tower PCs are considered hard or impossible to upgrade, the HP Compaq dx2300 is pretty good in this area. Still, the small physical size of the mini-tower case still limits you in a few departments. But it is roomy enough for your hands to navigate around inside.
The physical size of the case only allows for 2 externally accessible 5.25" drives, one of which is already used by the included optical drive. This means you can install one additional 5.25" drive, but that's it. There is only one free externally accessible 3.5" drive bays, since a floppy drive was not ordered with my current build. I suggest, in this day in age, to install an internal 3.5" multi-card reader. Inside of the case, you can stuff 2 total internal 3.5" hard drives. Of course, one is already used, so you have 1 more spots left. Or if you decide not to use the 3.5" external bay, you can just not take off the cover and use it as a 3rd internal drive bay.
The motherboard is a standard mini-ATX formfactor, but seem to offer a decent amount of upgrade paths. There are many expansion slots that are free for you to use.
Here is the list of expansion capabilities:
1x PCI Express 16x Lanes
2x PCI Express 1x Lane
1x PCI
2x DDR2 memory slots (1 free)
4x SATA connectors (2 free)
The power supply included is a standard ATX sourced from Lite-On. It offers 250W of power, and an array of power connectors. A good amount is left for you to add additional devices.
PSU Connectors
4x SATA (2 free)
2x Molex
1x mini Molex
1x 4-pin 12v Aux (used on motherboard)
1x 24-pin ATX (used on motherboard)
Externally, the ports offered aren't special, but does the job:
REAR
2x PS/2 ports (keyboard/mouse)
1x Serial port
1x Parallel port
1x VGA (video)
4x USB 2.0 ports
1x 10/100 Ethernet Jack
3x Audio Ports (Line Out, Headphone, Mic In)
FRONT
Power Button
2x USB 2.0
Headphone and Mic In audio jacks
The memory slots may be the only part of the system that is not very friendly to upgrades. With only 2 slots (1 already used), my upgrade to 2GB required me to toss the included 512 MB stick away, since the 2GB comes in a form of 2x 1GB sticks.
The case inside isn't very cluttered, and is very easy to gain access to everything. The power cables were tied together so that it wouldn't create a mess, but it isn't like Dell's cable management, which involve the case being designed so that the cables can be tucked and routed with hooks throughout the inside of the case. Also Dell's cables seem to be the exact lengths they need to be for the cable run.
While speakers are not included in the package, the internal speaker is good enough for an office environment. It's not the kind that just beeps - it does allow you to listen to music and hear your videos. It may be hard to hear if you place the mini-tower on the floor by your feet, though. A good pair of speakers need to be paired up with this computer if you wish to have any sound quality better than a telephone. My suggestion for the users who request speakers (computer-based teleconference) is to use a good quality pair of headphones or even a headset with boom mic if they need to communicate.
Conclusion
The HP Compaq dx2300 is a very easy PC to support in mass since they all use the same driver set. CPU, memory, hard drive, and optical drive choices may customized due to the individual's need, but the same basic hard drive image from one dx2300 can be used on it.
Performance varies, of course, but on my particular set up, it is quick enough for us to use our web-based support tools, AS400, and running administrative tasks with Active Directory.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 600
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Other
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-ROM
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
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