Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry
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@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Normally, we have been deploying Dell OptiPlex's SFF in place because they don't consume a lot of power, small desktop footprint, and still does the job. However, I have been thinking that it just may still be overkill and cost a lot at $1k/computer + internal support.
Our high power quad core, 16GB RAM, WD SSD desktops are only $405 new. If we needed low power clerical systems, they would cost a bit less. What's causing that high cost?
I pay $1000 for a similar spec from HP.
Right, but why? That's a lot of extra money to get something kinda blah.
Share your source?
He is ignoring
- the Windows License
- the assembly time of the hardware
- the purchasing of the hardware pieces
No Windows license at all, so nothing ignored. It's for non-Windows boxes.
Assembling time, yes, that's ignored.
Purchasing? that's all in the cost. I just send an email, the box shows up.
You are comparing a non windows licensed white box to a Windows licensed box. You are most definitely ignoring it.
I'm not. In this use case, that license is vestigial. You can't get away from it, even when it is not needed. Just like if there was extra, useless hardware added to that one but isn't needed. In no way whatsoever is it ignored, it's an unnecessary cost that is just wasted money in this use case.
Are you saying you're getting a Windows (home or pro) license with your whitebox?
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@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Normally, we have been deploying Dell OptiPlex's SFF in place because they don't consume a lot of power, small desktop footprint, and still does the job. However, I have been thinking that it just may still be overkill and cost a lot at $1k/computer + internal support.
Our high power quad core, 16GB RAM, WD SSD desktops are only $405 new. If we needed low power clerical systems, they would cost a bit less. What's causing that high cost?
I pay $1000 for a similar spec from HP.
Right, but why? That's a lot of extra money to get something kinda blah.
Share your source?
He is ignoring
- the Windows License
- the assembly time of the hardware
- the purchasing of the hardware pieces
No Windows license at all, so nothing ignored. It's for non-Windows boxes.
Assembling time, yes, that's ignored.
Purchasing? that's all in the cost. I just send an email, the box shows up.
You are comparing a non windows licensed white box to a Windows licensed box. You are most definitely ignoring it.
I'm not. In this use case, that license is vestigial. You can't get away from it, even when it is not needed. Just like if there was extra, useless hardware added to that one but isn't needed. In no way whatsoever is it ignored, it's an unnecessary cost that is just wasted money in this use case.
Are you saying you're getting a Windows (home or pro) license with your whitebox?
I am not. I am saying that the thread is about non-Windows machines. ChromeOS or Fedora have no need for that license.
If you are comparing HP or Dell in this thread, you either have to assume that that license is wasted and pointless; or you have to assume that you are able to get that gear at a lower price without the license.
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@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Normally, we have been deploying Dell OptiPlex's SFF in place because they don't consume a lot of power, small desktop footprint, and still does the job. However, I have been thinking that it just may still be overkill and cost a lot at $1k/computer + internal support.
Our high power quad core, 16GB RAM, WD SSD desktops are only $405 new. If we needed low power clerical systems, they would cost a bit less. What's causing that high cost?
I pay $1000 for a similar spec from HP.
Right, but why? That's a lot of extra money to get something kinda blah.
Share your source?
He is ignoring
- the Windows License
- the assembly time of the hardware
- the purchasing of the hardware pieces
No Windows license at all, so nothing ignored. It's for non-Windows boxes.
Assembling time, yes, that's ignored.
Purchasing? that's all in the cost. I just send an email, the box shows up.
You are comparing a non windows licensed white box to a Windows licensed box. You are most definitely ignoring it.
I'm not. In this use case, that license is vestigial. You can't get away from it, even when it is not needed. Just like if there was extra, useless hardware added to that one but isn't needed. In no way whatsoever is it ignored, it's an unnecessary cost that is just wasted money in this use case.
Are you saying you're getting a Windows (home or pro) license with your whitebox?
I am not. I am saying that the thread is about non-Windows machines. ChromeOS or Fedora have no need for that license.
If you are comparing HP or Dell in this thread, you either have to assume that that license is wasted and pointless; or you have to assume that you are able to get that gear at a lower price without the license.
aww ok, I get it.
I need it in my case. So that $1000 for the OP it can likely be a waste, if Chrome or Fedora works for him, as you said.
Of course - he can't get MS Office on Fedora normally - can he? Does it work will enough with WINE?
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@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Normally, we have been deploying Dell OptiPlex's SFF in place because they don't consume a lot of power, small desktop footprint, and still does the job. However, I have been thinking that it just may still be overkill and cost a lot at $1k/computer + internal support.
Our high power quad core, 16GB RAM, WD SSD desktops are only $405 new. If we needed low power clerical systems, they would cost a bit less. What's causing that high cost?
I pay $1000 for a similar spec from HP.
Right, but why? That's a lot of extra money to get something kinda blah.
Share your source?
He is ignoring
- the Windows License
- the assembly time of the hardware
- the purchasing of the hardware pieces
No Windows license at all, so nothing ignored. It's for non-Windows boxes.
Assembling time, yes, that's ignored.
Purchasing? that's all in the cost. I just send an email, the box shows up.
You are comparing a non windows licensed white box to a Windows licensed box. You are most definitely ignoring it.
I'm not. In this use case, that license is vestigial. You can't get away from it, even when it is not needed. Just like if there was extra, useless hardware added to that one but isn't needed. In no way whatsoever is it ignored, it's an unnecessary cost that is just wasted money in this use case.
Are you saying you're getting a Windows (home or pro) license with your whitebox?
I am not. I am saying that the thread is about non-Windows machines. ChromeOS or Fedora have no need for that license.
If you are comparing HP or Dell in this thread, you either have to assume that that license is wasted and pointless; or you have to assume that you are able to get that gear at a lower price without the license.
aww ok, I get it.
I need it in my case. So that $1000 for the OP it can likely be a waste, if Chrome or Fedora works for him, as you said.
Of course - he can't get MS Office on Fedora normally - can he? Does it work will enough with WINE?
We are planning on moving our files to SharePoint (because that is what the boss wants to do), so I would just push the user to the Web Based version of the applications and save the $5/user/month difference between the 2 licenses instead of trying to support MS apps that seems to change all of the time on WINE.
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@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Normally, we have been deploying Dell OptiPlex's SFF in place because they don't consume a lot of power, small desktop footprint, and still does the job. However, I have been thinking that it just may still be overkill and cost a lot at $1k/computer + internal support.
Our high power quad core, 16GB RAM, WD SSD desktops are only $405 new. If we needed low power clerical systems, they would cost a bit less. What's causing that high cost?
I pay $1000 for a similar spec from HP.
Right, but why? That's a lot of extra money to get something kinda blah.
Share your source?
He is ignoring
- the Windows License
- the assembly time of the hardware
- the purchasing of the hardware pieces
No Windows license at all, so nothing ignored. It's for non-Windows boxes.
Assembling time, yes, that's ignored.
Purchasing? that's all in the cost. I just send an email, the box shows up.
You are comparing a non windows licensed white box to a Windows licensed box. You are most definitely ignoring it.
I'm not. In this use case, that license is vestigial. You can't get away from it, even when it is not needed. Just like if there was extra, useless hardware added to that one but isn't needed. In no way whatsoever is it ignored, it's an unnecessary cost that is just wasted money in this use case.
Are you saying you're getting a Windows (home or pro) license with your whitebox?
I am not. I am saying that the thread is about non-Windows machines. ChromeOS or Fedora have no need for that license.
If you are comparing HP or Dell in this thread, you either have to assume that that license is wasted and pointless; or you have to assume that you are able to get that gear at a lower price without the license.
aww ok, I get it.
I need it in my case. So that $1000 for the OP it can likely be a waste, if Chrome or Fedora works for him, as you said.
Of course - he can't get MS Office on Fedora normally - can he? Does it work will enough with WINE?
WINE works for the Windows versions. Shashlik might work for the Android ones.
https://www.howtoforge.com/tutorial/how-to-install-and-run-android-apk-on-linux-with-shashlik/
The web versions work the same on Linux as on Windows. Even better as you are less likely to accidentally try to open them with Edge.
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@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Normally, we have been deploying Dell OptiPlex's SFF in place because they don't consume a lot of power, small desktop footprint, and still does the job. However, I have been thinking that it just may still be overkill and cost a lot at $1k/computer + internal support.
Our high power quad core, 16GB RAM, WD SSD desktops are only $405 new. If we needed low power clerical systems, they would cost a bit less. What's causing that high cost?
I pay $1000 for a similar spec from HP.
Right, but why? That's a lot of extra money to get something kinda blah.
Share your source?
He is ignoring
- the Windows License
- the assembly time of the hardware
- the purchasing of the hardware pieces
No Windows license at all, so nothing ignored. It's for non-Windows boxes.
Assembling time, yes, that's ignored.
Purchasing? that's all in the cost. I just send an email, the box shows up.
You are comparing a non windows licensed white box to a Windows licensed box. You are most definitely ignoring it.
I'm not. In this use case, that license is vestigial. You can't get away from it, even when it is not needed. Just like if there was extra, useless hardware added to that one but isn't needed. In no way whatsoever is it ignored, it's an unnecessary cost that is just wasted money in this use case.
Are you saying you're getting a Windows (home or pro) license with your whitebox?
I am not. I am saying that the thread is about non-Windows machines. ChromeOS or Fedora have no need for that license.
If you are comparing HP or Dell in this thread, you either have to assume that that license is wasted and pointless; or you have to assume that you are able to get that gear at a lower price without the license.
aww ok, I get it.
I need it in my case. So that $1000 for the OP it can likely be a waste, if Chrome or Fedora works for him, as you said.
Of course - he can't get MS Office on Fedora normally - can he? Does it work will enough with WINE?
We are planning on moving our files to SharePoint (because that is what the boss wants to do), so I would just push the user to the Web Based version of the applications and save the $5/user/month difference between the 2 licenses instead of trying to support MS apps that seems to change all of the time on WINE.
That might improve the overall experience even more.
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@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Normally, we have been deploying Dell OptiPlex's SFF in place because they don't consume a lot of power, small desktop footprint, and still does the job. However, I have been thinking that it just may still be overkill and cost a lot at $1k/computer + internal support.
Our high power quad core, 16GB RAM, WD SSD desktops are only $405 new. If we needed low power clerical systems, they would cost a bit less. What's causing that high cost?
I pay $1000 for a similar spec from HP.
Right, but why? That's a lot of extra money to get something kinda blah.
Share your source?
He is ignoring
- the Windows License
- the assembly time of the hardware
- the purchasing of the hardware pieces
No Windows license at all, so nothing ignored. It's for non-Windows boxes.
Assembling time, yes, that's ignored.
Purchasing? that's all in the cost. I just send an email, the box shows up.
You are comparing a non windows licensed white box to a Windows licensed box. You are most definitely ignoring it.
I'm not. In this use case, that license is vestigial. You can't get away from it, even when it is not needed. Just like if there was extra, useless hardware added to that one but isn't needed. In no way whatsoever is it ignored, it's an unnecessary cost that is just wasted money in this use case.
Are you saying you're getting a Windows (home or pro) license with your whitebox?
I am not. I am saying that the thread is about non-Windows machines. ChromeOS or Fedora have no need for that license.
If you are comparing HP or Dell in this thread, you either have to assume that that license is wasted and pointless; or you have to assume that you are able to get that gear at a lower price without the license.
Your reply was to @Dashrender stating he was buying them for $1000 which is a system with Windows. had you wanted to state otherwise, don't quote a post that we know includes Windows.
I never argued that for this thread case Windows was not needed.
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@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@JaredBusch said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@Dashrender said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@scottalanmiller said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Normally, we have been deploying Dell OptiPlex's SFF in place because they don't consume a lot of power, small desktop footprint, and still does the job. However, I have been thinking that it just may still be overkill and cost a lot at $1k/computer + internal support.
Our high power quad core, 16GB RAM, WD SSD desktops are only $405 new. If we needed low power clerical systems, they would cost a bit less. What's causing that high cost?
I pay $1000 for a similar spec from HP.
Right, but why? That's a lot of extra money to get something kinda blah.
Share your source?
He is ignoring
- the Windows License
- the assembly time of the hardware
- the purchasing of the hardware pieces
No Windows license at all, so nothing ignored. It's for non-Windows boxes.
Assembling time, yes, that's ignored.
Purchasing? that's all in the cost. I just send an email, the box shows up.
You are comparing a non windows licensed white box to a Windows licensed box. You are most definitely ignoring it.
I'm not. In this use case, that license is vestigial. You can't get away from it, even when it is not needed. Just like if there was extra, useless hardware added to that one but isn't needed. In no way whatsoever is it ignored, it's an unnecessary cost that is just wasted money in this use case.
Are you saying you're getting a Windows (home or pro) license with your whitebox?
I am not. I am saying that the thread is about non-Windows machines. ChromeOS or Fedora have no need for that license.
If you are comparing HP or Dell in this thread, you either have to assume that that license is wasted and pointless; or you have to assume that you are able to get that gear at a lower price without the license.
Your reply was to @Dashrender stating he was buying them for $1000 which is a system with Windows. had you wanted to state otherwise, don't quote a post that we know includes Windows.
I never argued that for this thread case Windows was not needed.
Right, my reply was in the context that he was getting things he didn't need and paying too much for the needs. They come with Dell branding, too, and obviously that isn't needed. they are different products, with different features. But the cheaper one has everything needed for the use case.
Yes, his use case for current use (he being Dash) uses Windows, but his pricing doesn't change whether with them or without.
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So basically we need to not purchase Windows boxes unless necessary. That answered one of my 3 questions. I think security was answered there somewhere. Maybe the resources question was answered? I'm not sure on that because my thread was hijacked AGAIN!!
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@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
So basically we need to not purchase Windows boxes unless necessary. That answered one of my 3 questions. I think security was answered there somewhere. Maybe the resources question was answered? I'm not sure on that because my thread was hijacked AGAIN!!
Definitely no need for Windows, but that you established in the initial post, I think. The real question is, I think, is if ChromeOS makes sense or not. And I have a feeling that the answer is "not", it is too limited and expensive.
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If you want to go the ChromeOS route, you are looking at the CXI3 from Acer as the most likely candidate.
For 8GB of RAM, and something faster than a Celeron, you are looking at $449. That's $44 over the cost of a white box Linux desktop with more power, a lot more power (A10 and 16GB and 120GB SSD.)
You might save as much as $100 per machine at initial purchase time, plus $50/year for management costs per machine.
So over say five years, a Linux desktop might save you around $350 per machine.
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Intel NUC is a good choice for either a Windows or Linux system.
They are usually barebones so they only thing you need to do is to put it an SSD (M2 or 3.5") and memory. I would almost lie if I say it takes 5 minutes to do it. Intel made them very easy to disassemble and put stuff in.
$285 for an i3-8109U cpu. Add $50 for 8GB RAM and $35 for a 120GB M2 drive (Kingston). That puts the total at $375.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16856102213
If you want a Windows pro license that would be an additional $150 or so. So a total of $525.Or you could just buy one ready to go.
Like this Intel NUC i3/4GB/128GB with Windows 10 Pro for $399:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAA0S8AE9378If you just need a quad core celeron you could get a complete system with windows 10 pro for $279:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAA0S7MX2040They're pretty small and easily placed.
http://www.broadberry.com/system_files/images/gallery_images/cut/intel-nuc-vesa.jpg -
NUC are good and well known / supported.
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Going back to this topic.
Finally had a moment to take an old desktop, install Fedora 29 stock on it, run updates and installed remmina. It now connects to our ERP system just fine. Opened Firefox to O365 web portal for email and Excel Online. Boss was impressed. Informed him that, instead of Group Policy, we would place these types of machines in an untrusted zone with just access to the Internet and open ports to the Salt Stack master and the ERP system between the trusted and untrusted zones. Boss still impressed.
He asked about comparison between Fedora Linux management and Google Chromebook management. Where SaltStack is free, we would have to pay for Google Enterprise administration on an annual basis.
Not there yet, but a step in the right direction.
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@NerdyDad sounds like good progress.
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And now I have been given the green light to build a fedora 29 salt stack server. Testing only, not production yet.
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@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
And now I have been given the green light to build a fedora 29 salt stack server. Testing only, not production yet.
Good steps!
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Was working on this and working in state files (SLS). I can remotely install Remmina on the minions, but is it possible to configure the RDP configurations within remmina? For example, some needs RDP to the ERP system, while others may need RDP to one-off servers once in a while. Is there a way for me to configure these RDP connections within the sls file?
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@NerdyDad said in Chromebox for Clerks and Data Entry:
Was working on this and working in state files (SLS). I can remotely install Remmina on the minions, but is it possible to configure the RDP configurations within remmina? For example, some needs RDP to the ERP system, while others may need RDP to one-off servers once in a while. Is there a way for me to configure these RDP connections within the sls file?
You should be able to supply a config file into the reminna directory, yes.
