SQL Server Magazine

Despite technological advances and lower prices, today's PCs in some ways remain similar to those built 6 years ago. Modern systems still contain architectural relics such as ISA slots and parallel and serial ports. But with essential subsystems integrated into the motherboard, USB becoming increasingly common, and performance outpacing the demands of current software, users rarely need expansion slots on corporate workstations. Accordingly, Compaq and Hewlett-Packard (HP) have introduced corporate PCs that reduce or eliminate legacy features.

The Compaq iPAQ and HP's e-Vectra are dramatically different from earlier corporate desktops. Both vendors recognize that corporate buyers might wait to use USB until more USB-enabled products that solidly support Windows 2000 reach the market. However, the vendors have taken different approaches to redefining the corporate PC.

Compaq iPAQ
Compaq has been promoting the Compaq iPAQ as an Internet device, but the Compaq iPAQ is truly a simplified PC in a more compact, stylized case. At 14.6" * 6.4" * 10.5", the case is much smaller than most desktops.

Compared with a PC, the Compaq iPAQ's hardware components are simplified and the configuration choices are limited. The company offers two system versions: Compaq iPAQ (with legacy ports) and Compaq iPAQ Legacy-Free. The standard (with legacy ports) model provides PS/2-style keyboard and mouse connectors, two front-mounted USB connectors, and parallel and serial ports for organizations that aren't ready to replace existing peripherals or aren't ready to adopt USB. Compaq iPAQ Legacy-Free provides only USB ports: three on the rear panel and two on the front. Both versions lack ISA and PCI slots.

All Compaq iPAQs feature 500MHz Pentium III or Celeron processors, Quantum Ultra ATA/66 hard disks, the Intel 810E core logic chipset with integrated sound and 2-D and 3-D graphics capabilities, and an integrated Intel Pro/100+ network interface with Alert on LAN functionality. A 56Kbps USB modem is also available for $79. Compaq offers the standard version with Win2K Professional, NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 98 Second Edition (Win98SE), or Win95, but the legacy-free model is available only with Win2K Pro. Table 1, page 104, lists the standard configurations and system prices. Compaq will custom-build systems for large orders.

Compaq supplied us with a V75 17" CRT display, which sells for $225. However, before press time, Compaq discontinued the V75 and introduced the S510 15" ($199) and S710 17" ($299) models. For those who need to conserve desk space, Compaq offers a TFT 5010i 15" flat-screen display for $999.

I downloaded the Insight Manager LC client and console free of charge from Compaq's Web site. This software combination lets you run remote diagnostics, view system information, and monitor alerts from a Web browser. Insight Manager LC also enables driver distribution and BIOS updating. Compaq provides a Compaq-specific version of Altiris' PC Transplant as a free download for buyers. PC Transplant for Compaq lets administrators transplant a user's workstation settings and preferences from any PC to a Compaq iPAQ. Compaq also provides a 30-day trial version of the Altiris eXpress console program for download, and Compaq iPAQs ship with the Altiris eXpress client. Altiris eXpress lets you create application packages or entire disk images and distribute them to clients. I downloaded the Altiris eXpress console application, which provides a 5-page Getting Started manual and a 29-page User Guide.

The Compaq iPAQ comes Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)-enabled, so you can use Altiris eXpress to distribute disk images to Compaq iPAQ clients that lack a bootable OS. Unfortunately, the Getting Started manual isn't Compaq iPAQ-specific and assumes target clients have disk drives that let the clients boot to the Altiris eXpress environment. The manual doesn't mention how to use Altiris eXpress with a PXE-enabled client, which is a likely choice for Compaq iPAQ users. I installed the Altiris eXpress console application on a Compaq iPAQ, and the installation process prompted me to install a PXE add-on to a specific directory. The Getting Started manual didn't mention that this add-on required a separate download from the Altiris Web site. The more detailed User Guide provided an overview of PXE and a detailed explanation of Altiris' technical terms and product operation, but this manual wasn't Compaq iPAQ-specific either.

I tested standard and legacy-free Compaq iPAQ models equipped with Pentium III CPUs, 128MB of RAM, 8.4GB hard disks, 24X variable speed CD-ROM drives, Win2K Pro, and Compaq's V75 17" display. With the exception of the rear panels, both Compaq iPAQ versions look the same. A silver center section, 14.6" tall, houses most of the electronics and sits between two black panels. The left panel contains the Compaq iPAQ's only drive bay, which is a hot-swappable MultiBay drive bay. The test unit came with an optional MultiBay 24X variable speed CD-ROM drive module ($75). Other MultiBay modules include Imation's SuperDisk LS-120 module ($99), a DVD-ROM module ($175), and an extra 6GB hard disk ($219). To install or remove the second hard disk, you must shut down the system. Compaq's Armada notebook computers share the same MultiBay modules.

Without rebooting the system, I ejected, then reinserted the CD-ROM drive. First, I shut down the CD-ROM drive by using Win2K Pro's Add/Remove Hardware Wizard, then I pressed an eject button on the back of the left panel. Ejecting the drive required more force than I expected.

After removing the right side panel, I easily gained access to the hard disk, the cooling fan, and the two memory expansion slots, which can hold a combined 512MB of RAM. One memory slot contained a 100MHz 128MB SDRAM DIMM. Like HP, Compaq doesn't offer hard disks larger than 8.4GB or recommend installing third-party disks. You might find the ability to easily access and upgrade the memory an advantage over the e-Vectra's more buttoned-down design. Although Compaq doesn't provide a lock to secure the right side panel, the company offers an optional security cable, which attaches to a tab on the back of the computer, to secure the computer to the workspace.

I ran BAPCo's SYSmark 2000 application-based benchmark on the test units. The office productivity scores were slightly above average compared with other 500MHz Pentium III processor systems running Win2K Pro that the Windows 2000 Magazine Lab has tested. The Pentium III-based iPAQs have 4MB of dedicated graphics memory, and the Celeron-based Compaq iPAQs dynamically allocate up to 4MB of system RAM to graphics chores. When I connected the Compaq iPAQ to the V75 display, the computer delivered an 85Hz vertical-refresh rate in a 1024 * 768 pixel, 16.7 million-color graphics mode. The refresh rate dropped to 60Hz at 1280 * 1024 pixels.

The Compaq iPAQ comes with a 1-year parts and labor warranty. Compaq provides next-business-day onsite service for parts that a user can't replace, but this service excludes the internal hard disk, memory, and MultiBay modules.

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