evaluating new hardware - tools and advice for making the right choice

Evaluating hardwareTools and advice for making the right choice

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Ryan Duggan University of Chicago

@RynDggn !+RyanDuggan

Define Needs

Base specifications of the needed equipment

What applications will you run immediately, near future?

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Query the User Base

Survey

Analyze recent historical data

Talk to key investigators

Research current industry trends

Ignore much of what the users say, but key in on the real needs.

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Refine Needs

With user feedback, refine specifications

“Future-proof” hardware

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Wants

Needs

Survey the MarketResearch what instruments are available

Base entry for consideration on minimum specification

Use organizational tools like Evernote to keep track of contenders

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Navigate the MarketingLearn to read marketing materials

Differentiate between Technical Spec (what hardware has) and Performance Spec (what hardware can do).

Marketing materials are fine for listing Technical Specifications, but NOT Performance Specification

“Samsung found itself accused of artificially (and secretly) boosting benchmark scores on its flagship phone to ensure it would outperform the competition.” - The Verge (http://goo.gl/5vuCs9)

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Create the MatrixList of specifications vs. available hardware

Use marketing material Technical Specs.

Include Budget as a specification

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Hands-on

No canned demos

No example data sets

Real data, collected by you, analyzed by you

Create your own performance metric if none exists.

Single most important decision criteria

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Take to the Social Network

Read reviews

Ask peers

Request OEM response for any negative feedback.

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Negotiate PurchaseNegotiate with multiple OEMs regardless of intent to purchase

Make sure OEMs are aware of the competition

Competitive bid may be required anyway

Get everything in writing

Include training, extended warranty, shipping, installation, free upgrades, etc…

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Be Mindful of Year-end deals

If you can time it properly, year-end numbers can be a powerful bargaining chip.

Make sure the sales representative is aware of their competition.

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Bonus Tip

So-called second Tier OEMs should always be considered.

The good ones are typically hungry for business

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Wrap-up

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Do your homework

Test the hardware in real-world situations

(Re)Negotiate

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