The hardware and software for a high-tech office.

Listed here are the principal hardware and software products you need to upgrade your small office. Model numbers of each product and list prices (as of midsummer this year) are included.

Caution: While economy is wise, resist the temptation to do it cheaper. Laptops, desktops, printers and switches always will be offered for less money. Consider the products in the tables as reference points when comparing other products, particularly those under the Option 1 column.

Be careful. Slight changes in models, even from the same vendor, won't have the same capability.

Need                 Specification             Option 1

Mobile Office

Laptop computer      Centrino 760 (2 GHz,      HP NC6230: $2,087
                     2-Mb cache, 533-Mhz
                     FSB), 14-inch screen,
                     1-Gg RAM, 60-Gb hard
                     drive (5,400 or 7,200)
                     RPM, 802.11 a/b/g
                     wireless, two USB
                     ports, SD/SC memory
                     cards

Second monitor       19-inch flat screen       HP L1955: $539

Portable computer    Inline surge protection   APC SurgeArrest
surge protection                               Notebook Pro C8: $14.99

Convenience items    To minimize setup and     Docking station with
                     teardown time             adjustable notebook
                                               stand: $149; wireless
                                               mouse and keyboard:
                                               $69; Mistral hosted
                                               backup; Apple Airport:
                                               $125; wireless mouse
                                               (for travel): $35; Bose
                                               QuietComfort 2 Acoustic
                                               noise-canceling
                                               headphones to use
                                               while traveling: $299

Cell phone and       Coverage in all areas     Treo 650: $399; PDANet
personal digital     traveled, access to       from June Fabrics: $34;
assistant (PDA)      Internet via cell         Seidio sync cable: $16;
                     phone, which can be       Jabra BT250v wireless
                     used as backup when       phone headset: $99.99
                     traveling or when
                     normal Internet access
                     is not available. Seek
                     a quad-band phone.

Hot-spot access      Wireless high-speed       iPass: $29 a month
                     access while traveling

Projector            Projection of             HP mp3135: $2,299;
                     laptop images for         inline surge protector
                     presentations and
                     training

Fixed Office

Desktop computer     Intel 541, 2-Gb RAM,      HP Compaq dc5000 Small
                     160-Gb, 7,200 RPM SATA,   Form Factor: $1,699
                     10/100/1000 network
                     adapter, 9-in-1 card
                     reader

Dual monitors        Two 19-inch flat          HP L1955: $539 (2)
                     screens

Network cables       Category 6. Provide       Belkin CAT6 RJ-45M to
                     high-speed connection     RJ-45M Snagless 25-foot
                     between switch and        patch cable blue:
                     computer or printer       $18.45 each

Network and Infrastructure Support

Wireless access      Firewall, 10/100          Linksys: $129.81
point                switch, wireless
                     802.11b/g, VoIP

Five-port switch     10/100/1000               Linksys SD2005: $84

Internet access      High-speed Internet       DSL: $19-$59 per month
                     access, 512 Kbps
                     minimum

Printer/copier/fax   20 pages per minute+,     HP 7410: $499
                     color, scanner

Network attached     200-300-Gb shared disk    Maxtor HO1R300: $358.76
storage (NAS)        over Ethernet

Wired phone          Traditional phone         Panasonic KX-TG5571M:
                                               $153.99; Plantronics
                                               headset DuoPro H171N:
                                               $93.99

Phone carrier        Provide local and         Vonage Voice over IP
                     long-distance telephone   via cable modem or
                     service                   DSL: $49.99 a month

Uninterruptable      Battery backup with       Liebert Associates
power supply         protection for            POWERSURE PSA
                     computers, firewalls      1000VA/600W, five full
                     and switches              minutes, full eight
                                               outlets minitower:
                                               $325.99

Surge protector      Protection for printer    APC PRO8 Professional
                     and possibly laptop,      SurgeArrest 8 Outlet
                                               120V: $26.82
Software

Operating system     Security, ease of use     Windows XP Professional
                                               with SP2 applied
                                               (included with
                                               computer) or purchased
                                               separately for $307.99

Productivity         Word processing,          MS Office Professional
                     spreadsheet, e-mail,      2003: $469
                     database, presentation
                     software

Virus, spyware and   Filter out and            Computer Associates
other protection     automatically update      eTrust EZ Antivirus:
                     against viruses and       $19.95
                     other intrusive
                     software

Desktop search       Search for files of       Copernic: Free
                     all types on desktop
                     system

Paperless            Convert as much           Adobe Acrobat: $409
                     material as possible
                     to magnetic format

Utilities            Help make system faster   Second Copy: $29.95;
                     and more stable with      System Mechanic: $39.95
                     minimum user
                     intervention

Need                 Option 2

Mobile Office

Laptop computer      Dell Latitude D610:
                     $2,219

Second monitor       Samsung 912N: $320

Portable computer
surge protection

Convenience items    Extra power supply for
                     laptop: $49; USB hub:
                     $49 (for keyboard and
                     mouse: $49)

Cell phone and
personal digital
assistant (PDA)

Hot-spot access      TMobile: $29 a month

Projector            InFocus LP70+: $1,499;
                     inline surge protector

Fixed Office

Desktop computer     Dell Dimension 51000:
                     $1,870

Dual monitors        Samsung 912N: $320 (2)

Network cables

Network and Infrastructure Support

Wireless access      NetGear: $79.99
point

Five-port switch     3Com 3C1670500A: $87.58

Internet access      Cable modem: $29-$69
                     per month

Printer/copier/fax   HP2840: $999

Network attached     Maxtor E01H300: $267.37
storage (NAS)

Wired phone          Vtech i6763: $131.99

Phone carrier        Local telephone
                     provider: $19-$39
                     a month

Uninterruptable      APC Smart-UPS 1000 USB
power supply         & Serial 120V: $407.56

Surge protector      APC Network SurgeArrest
                     7 Outlet: $32.10

Software

Operating system

Productivity         OpenOffice: Free

Virus, spyware and   Symantec Norton
other protection     Antivirus: $49.95

Desktop search       Google Desktop: Free

Paperless            PaperPort: $177.44

Utilities

* All prices are list as of midsummer 2005.