NCs vs. PCs - Cost comparisons (cond.)

University-wide savings: Assuming 5000 PCs university wide, about $25.3million is spent over a typical 5 year period for PCs. NCs would cost $17.9million/5 years, for a savings of $7.4million over 5 years, or about $1.5 million saved per year.

The above cost comparison only considers minimal hardware costs. It does not take into account other hidden costs of the PC model:

PC model

NC model
Time spent on configuring and upgrading each PC is a drain on productivity NCs require essentially zero maintanence. Server administration costs per user drops sharply as the number or users increases.
Time and irreplaceable loss of data due to hard disk crashes and system failures. Crash of NC has no effect on system integrity

Disk files are automatically backed up.
1 license of each program per PC Fewer than 1 license per NC

    examples:

  • word processor - 35 licenses/50 users
  • spreadsheet : 20 licenses/50 users
  • drawing program: 10 licenses/50 users
More peripheral devices to purchase and maintain Peripheral devices are shared (eg. fewer total disk drives, CD-ROM drives)
Useful llifespan of PC is < 5yr. Useful lifespan of NC is probably > 5 yr.
PC crash requires days or weeks to recover. If your NC has hardware problems, simply plug in another NC. Nothing to restore 
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