Which Computer System Should the Companies Upgrade To - Assignment Example

Justification Report Assignment 2 Problem ment Technology has advanced with years, and so many changes have been brought about by these continuous technological advancements. As technology advances, obsolete systems can need more maintenance and higher fees for our company to maintain. Upgrading to a modern system may be cheaper than the maintenance costs associated with older systems. Unfortunately, the company cannot decide which computer system to upgrade to. Overview of alternatives • Alternative A – Hewlett Packard: Is an American technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California. The firm provides hardware, software and services to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises. HP provides business with computer systems for everyday business needs, and that’s budget-friendly. • Alternative B – Dell: Is an American-owned computer technology firm based in Round Rock, Texas. Dell is amongst largest technological corporations in the world. Dell sells a variety of products that could help our business such as desktops, laptops, printers, and storage devices. Dell provides businesses with deals where the more one buys the more one saves. Criteria (a) Cost Dell is more expensive than HP. However, both offer first-class performance. Dell has more features than Hp. For example, comparing Dell Inspiron 17R Special Edition 7720, and HP Envy 2012, Dell has Blu-ray player, Beats Audio and 1920 by 1080 screen resolutions (Low, 2014). (b) Discounts Dell has 17 promotions. The company offers three coupon codes, 12 sales, and two free shipping coupons. In their latest offer, Dell gave out 30% coupon deals on select laptops and desktops in the last day. Coupon has 14 promotions. The company offers six coupon codes, five free shipping coupons and three sales (Low, 2014). (c) Tech support Dell has web and social support and phone support. They have a speedy twitter team and a useful chat service. Many customers find solutions to their problems online. However, Dell has to streamline its support site to make it easier to get live chat function (Rutherford, 2014). HP has web and social support, and phone support. Customers argue that they were satisfied with the support from HP. However, some of their customer support services like SmartFriend are very expensive. They charge almost $100 for assistance (Low, 2014). (d) Computer spec The specifications of the machine vary from HP and Dell. However, the paper will compare two laptops, HP Compaq nc6220 and Dell Latitude D610. These two laptops are somehow similar. The HP laptop has Intel Pentium M 1.6 GHz, 512 MB DDRII ram, 14.1” 1024 X 768 resolution screen, Intel media accelerator, 40GB, 5400rpm HDD, DVD/CD-ROM (Low, 2014). The Dell Latitude D610 Intel Pentium M 1.86 GHz, 1GB DDRII, 14.1” 1024 X 768 resolution screen, Intel media accelerator, 40GB, 5400rpm HDD, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, Intel Pro/ Wireless BG (Low, 2014). (e) Durability Both Dell and HP receive moderately positive ratings when it comes to durability. According to the survey conducted, majority of HP and Dell owners were experiencing a significant problem with their machines. They experienced problems with core parts, such as problems with the CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics chip, hard drive, or power supply (Low, 2014). Methodology The researcher used different methods, for example, scientific methods. The technique was crucial in critically analyzing of various writings. The literatures analyzed both Dell and HP companies. There was involvement of action research to cover the context of criteria of analyzing the alternatives deeply. Furthermore, the researcher relied on critical thinking to define the scope of the study. Logical deduction accompanied critical thinking. The research had to explain the role of Dell and HP companies in promoting their business and the significance of their competition. Information about the competition came mainly from review of numerous literatures. In addition, the researcher had to rely on the method of critical thinking to deduce further information. Assignment 2.2 Evaluation of alternatives Dell and HP provide exceptional and technologically advanced computers. Apart from their computers being highly rated, also their printers, scanners and peripheral devices are of high quality. Even though both Dell and HP have a significant market base, there comes a point where customer loyalty applies. Customers who are attached to Dell have a reason for their loyalty, and the same applies to HP customers. Dell avails its computers seven days after the customer has ordered it. On the other hand, HP avails its computers almost instantly. HP observes standardization when constructing its computers. Standardization means a hard disk in a model of HP will remain of the same make in all the computers of the same model. However, Dell can avail a hard disk of a different company to be used in its computers of the same model. When it comes to technical support, both HP and Dell technical reserves differ. In Dell, there is a warranty of the whole year on its products. In addition, if a customer has a problem with Dell products, a single call solves all the problems. Dell’s onsite warranty is the best. HP has good preliminary warranties. However, the company does not reserve warranty. A customer has to but further packages of warranty. From surveys, many people argue that onsite HP reserve is better than Dell. The paper will recommend the use of HP. After a detailed analysis, it is evident HP faired well in the innovation sector, specifically with its experimentation with touchpad design and hybrids. In addition, HP has the best design and real keyboard comfort. Technical support is the best, and overall, the brand is which the customers’ could trust. When it comes to technical support, HP has well designed websites. These websites offer the answers to the common questions that customers ask. Recently, the company improved its social media technical support. However, the company has not started to provide live chats. HP has the best design. For instance, HP created the best-looking Chromebooks. This Chromebooks used glittery plastic. The HP Spectre 13T has a stylish, truffle-brown exterior and control zone touchpad. The specs of HP are attractive. The keyboards of HP are comfortable, and they are flex-free both to the company and the customers. HP’s touchpads are accurate, and they have jitter-free navigation on systems. The mouse has the best clicking experience. The displays and audios of HP are business class. Many HP ultra books have improved its audio-visual. HP panels deliver high-quality color and wide viewing angles. Even the cheapest HP is sound consistent. These computers have front mounted speakers. The speakers are capable of bearing full volumes and full-bodied bass. For example, in 2012, experts measured HP sound capability and recorded 84 decibels. However, this is slightly below the laptop category average of 85 decibels. HP manufacturers include Beats Audio on its speakers in order to boost bass and overall sound. HP boosts of its innovation. They had groundbreaking innovations in notebooks, specifically Envy 17. Envy 17 has built-in 3D controller. Leap Motion provided this service. The controller provides a unique control zone touchpad. The touchpad makes Windows 8 gestures more intuitive. Criteria Dell HP Cost Very high High Discounts High High Tech support Low Moderate Specs Good Best Durability Best Good References Low, C. (2014). Dell Tech Support: 2014 Rating. Laptop ideas. Rutherford, S. (2014). HP Tech Support: 2014 Ratings. Laptop ideas. Assignment 2.3 Executive summary There has been advent of office automation, thereby demand systems that share data between agencies and external clients. Technology companies began developing systems that could match the growing demand. The cost of hardware and software increased immensely, but so did the profits to companies. Most businesses have realized efficiencies through automation. In fact, globalization, increases in business competition, development of economies have increased more rapidly than before. Experts argue that the rapid change is due to the advances in technological systems. The paper specifically studied Dell and HP computer companies who have advanced the computing hardware and software. Contents Introduction 10 Definition of terms 11 Scope of study 11 Alternatives: Dell and HP 11 Dell 12 HP 13 Recommendations 14 References 14 Introduction Technology has advanced with years, and so many improvements have been brought about by these continuous technological advancements. As technology improves, obsolete systems can require more maintenance and higher fees for our company to maintain. When upgrading to a newer system, it may be cheaper than the maintenance costs associated with older systems. Unfortunately, the company cannot decide which computer system to upgrade to. Definition of terms Technology: It refers to collection of tools, including machinery, modifications, arrangements, and procedures used by humans. CPU: Central Processing Unit OS: Computer’s operating system HP: Hewlett Packard Corporation. Scope of study History indicates that personal computers have always been one-time costs, covered by agencies. However, nowadays investments in technologies are not one-time expenses. It has now become an on-going cost of doing business. The paper will give two options to the company: Dell and HP. It will be the company’s decision to choose either of the two alternatives, after critically evaluating each alternative. Alternatives: Dell and HP A real alternative will have the following benefits to the company Lower costs in computer purchases Lower overall IT support costs No stress in justifying computer replacement requests Consistency of operating systems Possession of warranty agreements and software licensing agreements Dell The paper found out Dell scored highly in tech support. They have an unintuitive website layout. However, Dell does not have email or Facebook tech support. All Dell customers have to download DellConnect software whenever they wanted to contact the support team. The design and specs of Dell is a mixture of state of the art redesigns and practical mainstays. There are other designs such as XPS 13 that have attractive, however unexciting carbon fiber designs. Nowadays, all Dell Inspiron line has adopted modern designs. Dell touchpads have smooth navigation and strong gesture support. Its mouse buttons are more comfortable and offer accurate click pads. Dell computers have eye-popping visuals. For instance, the Alienware 14, 17, and 18 have 1080p displays. Overall, Dell has brighter displays than average laptops. Average laptops have 242 lux, while Dell laptops have 267 lux. Even the cheap Dell computers have loud and clear audio quality. However, most of Dell computer lack the bass. The bass is clear when the user does some settings in the Dell Audio control panel (Laptop Mag Editorial Staff, 2014). Dell boasts of innovation. The innovative part of the company was proven when XPS 11 hybrid was launched. It opens 360 degrees and could be used as a tablet. With the ability to open, the keyboard becomes uncomfortable to use, because it is flat. Dell products do not come with busting budgets. All its specs are worth the price tag. Lastly, Dell has its applications and softwares. Some of this softwares include My Dell for technical support and Dell Digital Delivery for buying softwares online. New Dell laptops, for instance, XPS 15 are loaded with PocketCloud that ia useful in cloud storage and remote access. HP HP faired well in the innovation sector, specifically with its experimentation with touchpad design and hybrids. In addition, HP has the best design and good keyboard comfort. Technical support is the best, and overall, the brand is which the customers’ could trust (Lowitt, 2009). When it comes to technical support, HP has well designed websites. These websites offer the answers to the common questions that customers ask. Recently, the company improved its social media technical support. However, the company has not started to provide live chats. HP has the best design. For instance, HP created the best-looking Chromebooks. This Chromebooks used glittery plastic. The HP Spectre 13T has a stylish, truffle-brown exterior and control zone touchpad (Lowitt, 2009). The specs of HP are attractive. The keyboards of HP are comfortable, and they are flex-free both to the company and the customers. HP’s touchpads are accurate, and they have jitter-free navigation on systems. The mouse has the best clicking experience (Lowitt, 2009). The displays and audios of HP are business class. Many HP ultra books have improved its audio-visual. HP panels deliver high-quality color and wide viewing angles. Even the cheapest HP is sound consistent. These computers have front mounted speakers. The speakers are capable of bearing full volumes and full-bodied bass. For example, in 2012, experts measured HP sound capability and recorded 84 decibels. However, this is slightly below the laptop category average of 85 decibels. HP manufacturers include Beats Audio on its speakers in order to boost bass and overall sound (Lowitt, 2009). HP boosts of its innovation. They had groundbreaking innovations in notebooks, specifically Envy 17. Envy 17 has built-in 3D controller. Leap Motion provided this service. The controller provides a unique control zone touchpad. The touchpad makes Windows 8 gestures more intuitive (Lowitt, 2009). Recommendations The paper recommends HP because they easily avail their products when ordered, hence very convenient. HP products are durable and have the best specifications. They give the company a competitive advantage and improve the profitability (Lowitt, 2009). References Laptop Mag Editorial Staff. (2014). Dell: Best and Worst laptop Brands of2014. Laptop ideas. Lowitt, E. (2009). Hewlett-Packard. Sustainability as a competitive advantage. Read More