Hardware and Software Specifications and Recommendation List - 2024

This article outlines Elate’s current hardware and software recommendations for purchasing new

Desktop PC Considerations

Before purchasing new Hardware or Software, please consider the following:

  • Identify the primary use case (home and office use, video editing, everyday tasks, etc.) and software requirements (any programs with specific hardware demands).
  • Do you prioritize speed, processing power, graphics capabilities, or a balance of these factors.

Determine how much you're willing to spend on the device or equipment. Compare prices from different retailers to find the best deal within your budget.

Hardware Recommendations to consider:

CPU (Central Processing Unit): Consider factors like processing power, core count, and compatibility with other components.

RAM (Memory): should be deepening on your use case.

Storage: Depending on needs, an SSD (Solid State Drive) is good speed or a combination of SSD and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for both speed and capacity.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): For graphics-intensive tasks, a dedicated GPU with suitable memory is recommended.

Motherboard: The motherboard needs to be compatible with the chosen CPU, RAM, and other components.

Operating System: (Windows 11 Pro for business)(Windows 11 Pro, English,)

Minimum Recommended Computer Specifications:

OS: Chrome OS, Windows Professional+, or MacOS

Processor: Intel Core i5+ (12th Gen or higher)

RAM: 16GB RAM (or more)

Storage: 256GB SSD (or more)

Ports: USB-C (or Thunderbolt) 4 Ports, USB-A 2 Ports, HDMI port, Display port

Connection: Wi-Fi 6E

Desktop PC Recommendations

1. New Inspiron 27 All-in-One

Processor: Intel® Core™ 7 processor 150U (12MB cache, 10 cores, 12 threads, up to 5.4 GHz)

Operating System Windows 11 Pro, English, French, Spanish (Dell Technologies recommends Windows 11 Pro for business)

Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® MX570A with 2GB GDDR6 graphics memory

Memory :32 GB: 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3200 MT/s

Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive

Keyboard: Dell Pro Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - KM5221W White - US English

Ports:

1 USB 3.2 Type-C Gen 2 port

3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports with Power on/Wake-up support

1 HDMI-out 1.4b / HDCP 2.3 port

1 HDMI-in 1.4b / HDCP 1.4 port

1 power-adapter port

1 RJ45 Ethernet port

1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port with PowerShare

1 Universal headset jack

Slots:

1 M.2 2230/2280 slot for PCIe solid-state drive

1 M.2 2230 slot for WiFi and Bluetooth combo card

1 SD-card slot

2. Inspiron 27 All-in-One

Processor: 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1355U (12 MB cache, 10 cores, 12 threads, up to 5.00 GHz Turbo)

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro, English, French, Spanish

Graphics Card NVIDIA® GeForce® MX550, 2 GB GDDR6

Monitor: 27', FHD 1920x1080, 60Hz, Touch, InfinityEdge

Memory: 32 GB: 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3200 MT/s

Storage: 1 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD

Ports:

1 USB 3.2 Type-C Gen 2 port

3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with Power on/Wake-up support

1 HDMI-out 1.4 / HDCP 2.3 port

1 HDMI-in 1.4 / HDCP 1.4 port

1 power-adapter port

1 RJ45 Ethernet port

1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port with PowerShare

1 Universal headset jack

Slots:

1 M.2 2230 / 2280 slot for PCIe solid state drive

1 M.2 2230 slot for WiFi and Bluetooth combo card

1 SATA 3.0 slot

1 SD-card slot

3. Lenovo ThinkCentre M750s SFF Small Form Factor Business Desktop Computer

Processor: Intel 16-Core i9-12900 CPU

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro, Tichang

Graphics Card: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770

Memory : 32GB DDR4 RAM

Storage : 1TB PCIe SSD,

Keyboard: USB Calliope Keyboard, Black, English; USB Calliope Mouse, Black

Ports and Slots:

Front Ports: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1

2x USB 2.0

1x headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm)

Rear Ports: 1x HDMI

1x DisplayPort

1x VGA, 1x Ethernet (RJ-45)

4x USB 2.0

4. Dell OptiPlex 7000 SFF Small Form Factor Business Desktop Computer

Processor: 12th Gen Intel 12-Core i7-12700

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

Graphics Card: Intel UHD Graphics 770 with shared graphics memory

Memory: 32GB DDR4 RAM

Storage 2TB PCIe SSD, Optical Drive: 8x DVD±RW, Slimline 9.5 mm.

Ports and Slots:

No H-D-M-I port

Front: 1 USB 2.0 port with PowerShare, 1 USB 2.0 port, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port, 1 universal audio jack;

Rear: 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports with Smart Power On, 3 DisplayPort 1.4 ports, 1 re-tasking line-out/line-in audio port, 1 RJ45 Ethernet port.

Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211, 2x2, 802.11ax, Bluetooth wireless card

Keyboard: Wired Keyboard and Mouse

Laptop Recommendations

1. XPS 17 Laptop

Processor: 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13700H (24 MB cache, 14 cores, up to 5.00 GHz Turbo)
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro, English, French, Spanish(Dell Technologies recommends Windows 11 Pro for business)

Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060, 8 GB GDDR6
Display:17', FHD+ 1920x1200, 60Hz, Non-Touch, Anti-Glare, 500 nit, InfinityEdge

Memory: 16 GB: 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 4800 MT/s

Storage: 512 GB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD

Keyboard: English US backlit keyboard

Ports:

4 Thunderbolt™ 4 (USB Type-C™) ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery support

3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack

(1) USB-C to USB-A v3.0 & HDMI v2.0 adapter (included in the box)

Slots:

1 SD-card slot

1 Wedge-shaped lock slot


2. Inspiron 15 Laptop

Processor: 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1255U (12 MB cache, 10 cores, 12 threads, up to 4.70 GHz Turbo)

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro, English, French, Spanish(Dell Technologies recommends Windows 11 Pro for business)

Graphics Card: Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics

Display: 15.6', FHD 1920x1080, 120Hz, WVA, Non-Touch, Anti-Glare, 250 nit, Narrow Border, LED-Backlit

Memory: 16 GB: 2 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MT/s

Storage: 1 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD

Keyboard: English US non-backlit keyboard

Ports:

1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C® port with DisplayPort 1.4 (on 12th Gen Processor configured with Type-C®)

2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (on systems configured with non Type-C®)

1 USB 2.0 port

1 Power Jack

1 headset (headphone and microphone combo) port

1 HDMI 1.4 port (Maximum resolution supported over HDMI is 1920x1080 @60Hz. No 4K/2K output)

Slots:

1 M.2 2230 slot for WiFi and Bluetooth card

1 M.2 2230/2280 slot for solid-state drive

1 SD-card slot


Webcam Recommendations

1. NexiGo N60 1080P Webcam with Microphone

Adjustable FOV, Zoom, Software Control & Privacy Cover,
USB HD Computer Web Camera, Plug and Play, for Zoom/Skype/Teams,
Conferencing and Video Calling

Connectivity Technology: USB

Color: Black

Special Feature: 1080P, Adjustable FOV, Low Light Correction, Privacy Cover

Screen Size: 19.6 Inches

Photo Sensor Technology: CMOS

Camcorder type: Video Camera

Video Capture Resolution: 1080P Business Webcam with Dual Microphone & Privacy Cover


2. Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam

Full HD 1080p/30fps Video Calling, Clear Stereo Audio, HD Light Correction,

Works with Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, Hangouts, PC/Mac/Laptop/MacBook/Tablet - Black

Connectivity Technology: USB

Flash Memory Type: Micro SD

Color: Black

Special Feature: Microphone Input

Screen Size: 2.7 Inches

Photo Sensor Technology: CMOS

Camcorder type: Webcam

Video Capture Resolution: Full HD 1080p video calling and recording at 30 fps


USB to HDMI Adapters Recommendations

KUPOISHE USB to HDMI Adapter for Monitor Windows 11/10 / 8, HDMI to USB Adapter for Laptop Mac MacBook pro, USB 3.0 & 2.0 External Graphics Card Converter Cable for Desktop PC TV

Compatible Device: PC, Monitor

Specific Uses For Product: Monitor, Projector, Tv

Connector Type: USB TO HDMI

Color: Black

Item dimensions L x W x H: 10 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches


Speaker Recommendations

Logitech Z407 Bluetooth Computer Speakers with Subwoofer and Wireless Control, Immersive Sound, Premium Audio with Multiple Inputs, USB Speakers, Black

Model Name: Z407

Speaker Type: Subwoofer

Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB

Special Feature: Bass Boost, USB Port

Software Recommendation

Adobe Creative Cloud

How it is being useful:

Provides apps, web services, and resources for all your creative projects — photography, graphic design, video editing, UX design, drawing and painting, social media, and more.

Build your own plan with individual app subscriptions or subscribe to the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.

Adobe Acrobat Pro

How it is being useful:

A powerful tool for anyone who needs to work with PDFs extensively, especially if editing, security, collaboration on PDF documents, making it a valuable asset for professionals and businesses dealing with document management.



Tools Recommendation

These tools can help streamline various aspects of meetings, collaboration, and project management, depending on your specific needs and preferences.


Video Conferencing
:

Google Meet: Part of Google Workspace, offering simple and secure video conferencing with features like live captions and screen sharing.

Google Meet (original) - Apps on Google Play

Zoom: Widely popular for its ease of use, reliability, and features like screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms.

Download Center for Zoom Apps and Plugins | Zoom

Microsoft Teams: Integrated with Office 365, offering video conferencing, chat, file sharing, and collaboration features.

Download Microsoft Teams Desktop and Mobile Apps | Microsoft Teams


Online Collaboration
:

Microsoft Teams: Besides video conferencing, Teams offers chat, file sharing, and collaborative document editing.

Download Microsoft Teams Desktop and Mobile Apps | Microsoft Teams

Slack: A messaging platform with channels for team communication, file sharing, and integrations with various tools.

Windows | Downloads | Slack

Mac | Downloads | Slack

Linux | Downloads | Slack

Slack - Apps on Google Play

Asana: Task and project management tool with features for team collaboration, task assignments, and progress tracking.

Download the Asana App for Mobile and Desktop • Asana


Virtual Whiteboarding
:

Microsoft Whiteboard: Integrated with Microsoft Teams, allowing real-time collaboration on a shared canvas with drawing tools and sticky notes.

Microsoft Whiteboard - Microsoft Apps

Miro: A digital whiteboard platform for brainstorming, planning, and collaboration with features like sticky notes, shapes, and templates.

Download Miro on your device

MURAL: Similar to Miro, offering virtual whiteboards for visual collaboration, design thinking, and agile methodologies.

Mural - Visual Collaboration – Apps on Google Play

Download Mural on your device


Scheduling and Planning
:

Google Calendar: Offers scheduling features, integration with Gmail, and the ability to create and share multiple calendars.

Google Calendar: Shareable Online Calendar | Google Workspace

Google Calendar - Apps on Google Play

Doodle: Simplifies scheduling by allowing participants to indicate their availability, making it easier to find a common meeting time.

Free online meeting scheduling tool | Doodle

Doodle - Easy Scheduling - Apps on Google Play

Calendly: A scheduling tool that helps in setting up meetings without the back-and-forth emails by allowing participants to choose from available time slots.

Free Online Appointment Scheduling Software | Calendly


Note-taking and Documentation
:

Bubbles: A note-taking tool that offers a unique and intuitive way to capture, organize, and visualize information, making them valuable tools for brainstorming, planning, and documentation.

Bubbles - Get Back Your Focus Time (usebubbles.com)

Notion: All-in-one workspace for note-taking, project management, and collaboration, with features like databases, kanban boards, and wikis.

Notion Desktop App for Mac & Windows | Notion

Evernote: A note-taking app for capturing ideas, meeting notes, and documents across devices, with features for organizing and sharing notes.

Download Evernote for free | Evernote