FPlardy: re: " The company I work for recently refused to buy anything higher than 133 Pentiums to use on the network."
I'm responsible for the IS strategy, the buying decisions, deployment and support where I work. Here is my take on your question.
Since you are on a WIN 3.1 platform, you aren't going to be able to use many of the newer application systems that are either on-stream (32 bit architecture) or coming on stream (MMX) that can take advantage of the architectural improvements that are available. While basic raw chip speed would result in some modest performance improvement, all other things being equal, the price performance equation won't pan out. So, in that regard, your tech is more right than wrong.
That said, it seems to me that the argument is somewhat misplaced. Hardware is what lets software run and software that uses and exploits the hardware is what gives functionality to people. There is absolutely no comparison, for example between MS WORD V2 under WIN 3.1 and MS WORD V7 under WIN95 or NT. Then, having made that argument successfully, you need to have a platform that lets the software run that makes you productive. Ergo: Pentium at some level of power and lasting value for the $ invested. Right now, best bang for the buck (our internal price point) is either a P200 or 166MMX. Configured the way we do them here, we pay around $2k each (incl. WIN95 and MS Office). This software also runs just fine (if a little slower) on a P100, a P120, and a P133. So. Buy the 133 (Gateway still sells them. Dell doesn't anymore), if that's what your company policy requires, but make sure WIN95 is bundled in along with MS Office. Justify the move based solely on your own personal productivity improvements......... Then, as it goes, in a year or so, upgrade based on your needs and the needs of the organization.
Why you don't upgrade to a WIN95 or NT Workstation world should be the more important question. You ought to be able to continue to run your WIN 3.1 applications if you need to; and you and your company ought to be able to begin taking advantage of some of the capabilities of the newer operating system and software that runs on it. |
