I work for a mobile phone retailer on the UK, and we are about to replace 50% (about 600) machines. My boss has sources a couple of Compaq deskpro EN's, and has asked my to give an opinion. At the moment, the other 50% of the machines are HP e-Vectra's. Basically I install the OS (Win2k) on one, add all the relevant software, then run sysprep; this drive is then used as a master clone drive from which all other machines are cloned from.

The Compaq deskpro EN's have hidden partitions, containing diagnostic tools, and the NT loader files. If I remove these partitions, the warrenty will be invalidated; I cant just clone these, as the clone machine (An omniview one) cannot see the hidden compaq partitions. If I remove all the partitions, do a manual install, and try to use that drive to clone to others from the compaqs, it fails to boot, as the clone machine cannot see the hidden partitions on the drives to be cloned to.

Basically, I am not in favour of going for the Compaq deskpro EN's, and would rather purchase 600 HP vectra's. The bean counters will only look at the costs - the Compaq is £200 cheaper than the HP. Can anybody give me their opinions of Compaq deskpro EN's, preferable opinions that will cast a shadow on them - I would like to prepare a valid report to reject them in favour of the HP's.

Any help would be greatly appreciated - the report has to be in for Monday - benchmark results would be useful !!!

Cheers,

Saber