On Jan 26, 2006, at 4:46 PM, Mark Falzon wrote:
I am attempting to set up a computer lab as part of my chemistry
lab. I can
use 6 blue slot loading 350 MHz machines or 6 indigo slot loading
400 MHz
machines. Which would be better? Does it make a difference? I
will be
running either OS 10.2 or 10.3. The machines will be networked
using cat 5e
cable and ethernet switches with a wireless router. Any advice?
Are these
machines reliable?
If you're going to be running OS 10.2, then it doesn't matter. If
you're going to be running 10.3, then go for the 400 MHz iMacs, IF
they have DVD drives since OS 10.3 requires a DVD drive to install.
(OS 10.2 comes on CDs).
I would go with the 400 MHz models because they're faster, they
handle OS 10.3 better, and they have dual firewire ports. OS 10.3 is
superior to 10.2, and the 400 MHz models are supported for OS 10.4 if
you want to go that route.
The machines are reliable. Their weak points tend to be centered on
heat-related problems. Be wary of machines that have been run 24/7 or
that have been used in dusty work spaces and thus have a heavy
coating of dust inside. They're convection cooled, and heat build-up
causes capacitors and the flyback transformer on the analog board to
go bad. Machines that have been run 24/7 experience CRT failure, or
at best extremely fuzzy displays. I've also seen a fair number of
logic board failures/partial failures from heat caused by inadequate
mating of the cpu with the heat sink. A fair number of these machines
also are beginning to experience balky CD/DVD disk injection/ejection
problems because of crud buildup on the inject/eject rubber roller
(which can be cured by cleaning the roller, which requires removal
and partial disassembly of the drive). Another thing that will need
attention as these machines are now 6 years old or so is dying PRAM
batteries.
Most original equipment hard drives are getting quite noisy, which
may not be a problem in lab situations.
Give the machines a thorough cleaning inside and out, replace the
PRAM batteries, keep them in a clean work space with plenty of air
circulation, and they should serve you well at a low cost. If you can
get all 12 machines for free, I would do that and then use the extras
for spare parts as the machines continue to age.
-- Jim
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