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| By Chris De Herrera Copyright 1998-2007 All Rights Reserved A member of the Talksites Family of Websites Windows and
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Windows CE Versus Windows 95/98
Total Cost of Ownership
By Chris De Herrera, Copyright
1998
Version 1.02 Revised 11/28/98
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Individual users and corporations are debating whether or not to use a product like Windows CE. It has some features of Windows 95/98 but it does not run Windows applications. This white paper discusses some of the issues about supporting Windows 95/98 and Windows CE computer systems.
Here's a comparison of one family of the small notebook PCs versus a color Windows CE system:
| Description | Libretto 50CT (Discontinued) | Libretto 70CT | Libretto 100CT | NEC MobilePro 750C | HP Jornada 820 | NEC MobilePro 800 |
| Operating System | Windows 95 | Windows 95 | Windows 95 | Windows CE 2.0 | Windows CE 2.11 | Windows CE 2.11 |
| Purchase Price | $700 | $900 | $1600 | $800 | $860 | $999 |
| Office | $350 (97) | $350 (97) | $350 (97) | Included (Pocket Office) | Included (Pocket Office) | Included (Pocket Office) |
| Modem - 33.6k | $100 | $100 | $100 | Included | Included - 56k | Included - 56k |
| Total | $1,150 | $1,350 | $2,050 | $800 | $860 | $999 |
Notes: In order to install Office 97 on the Libretto computers you would need the floppy disk version or purchase a CD Rom drive at additional cost. All prices quoted are approximate based on the lowest price from Shopper.com as of 8/28/98.
| Description | Libretto 50CT | Libretto 70CT | Libretto 100CT | NEC MobilePro 750C | HP Jornada 820 | NEC MobilePro 800 |
| Install Operating System | Preinstalled | Preinstalled | Preinstalled | In Rom | In Rom | In Rom |
| Install Office 97 | 1 hour | 1 hour | 1 hour | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Full Backup | 1 hour + | 1 hour + | 1 hour + | 5 to 30 minutes | 5 to 30 minutes | 5 to 30 minutes |
| Full Restore | 1 hour + | 1 hour + | 1 hour + | 5 to 30 minutes | 5 to 30 minutes | 5 to 30 minutes |
| Reinstall | 2-3 hours + | 2-3 hours + | 2-3 hours + | 0 hours, In Rom | 0 hours, In Rom | 0 hours, In Rom |
| Cold Boot | 2-5 minutes | 2-5 minutes | 2-5 minutes | 30 seconds | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Notes: Times quoted above are estimates. Windows 95/98 systems can be easily corrupted by the user if the user deletes Office 97 programs. Windows CE systems have Pocket Office in rom so they can not be deleted. Additional programs can be installed on Windows CE systems.
|
Description |
Libretto 50CT |
Libretto 70CT |
Libretto 100CT |
NEC MobilePro 750C |
HP Jornada 820 |
NEC MobilePro 800 |
|
Ethernet Network |
Yes, PC Card |
Yes, PC Card |
Yes, PC Card |
Yes, PC Card |
Yes, PC Card | Yes, PC Card |
|
IrDA (Infrared) (Printing, RAS) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes |
|
Serial (Printing, RAS) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes |
|
Parallel (Printing) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
|
VGA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes - 800x600 |
Note: The Libretto requires the mini dock to provide serial, parallel and VGA ports.
Specifications
| Description | Libretto 50CT | Libretto 70CT | Libretto 100CT | NEC MobilePro 750C | HP Jornada 820 | NEC MobilePro 800 |
| CPU Speed | 75mhz | 120mhz | 166mhz | 80mhz | 190mhz | 133mhz |
| Cache (On CPU) | 16k | 16k | 32k | 24k | 24k | 24k |
| RAM/Hard Disk | 16 MB/810 MB | 16MB/1.5 GB | 32 MB/2 GB | 16 MB (user definable between storage and execution space) | 16 MB (user definable between storage and execution space) | 32 MB (user definable between storage and execution space) |
| Size (inches) | 8.3 x 4.5 x 1.3 | 8.3 x 4.5 x 1.4 | 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.4 | 9.6 x 4.8 x 1.2 | 9.5 by 6.75 x 1.25 | 9.6 x 7.5 x 1.1 |
| Weight (LBS) | 1.85 | 1.88 | 2.35 | 1.80 | 2.63 | 2.6 |
| Battery Life (Hours) | 2-3 | 2-3 | 2-3 | 10 | 10 standard, 15 extended | 8+ |
| Instant On | Resume | Resume | Resume | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Size (Length,Width, # of colors) | 640x480x16M | 640x480x16M | 800x600x16M | 640x240x256 | 640x480x256 | 800x600x64k |
| Screen Size (diagonal, inches) | 6.1 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 8 | 8.2 | 9.4 |
| Screen type | TFT | TFT | TFT | STN | DSTN | DSTN |
| Card Slots | 1 PC Card | 1 PC Card | 2 PC Card, Cardbus | 1 PC Card, 1 CompactFlash | 1 PC Card, 1 CompactFlash | 1 PC Card, 1 CompactFlash |
Conclusion
Although Windows CE does not have the same functionality that a Windows 95/98 system does, it is less expensive to support and maintain. Windows CE cost less on initial purchase, requires less effort to maintain and are functional faster for users when they need them. I recommend that users consider these issues when adopting computer systems for part time or less sophisticated users.
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