hp desktop pcs, choosing the best Windows desktop platform for large and medium-size business and organizations (Microsoft)

8 Microsoft Windows White Paper
It is important to evaluate an existing environment for application and hardware compatibility. In general, new PCs
preinstalled with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 need to be evaluated only for application compatibility. If applications are
found to be not compatible with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (especially legacy applications), then businesses should
weigh the TCO impact of using legacy applications against the benefits of building modern 32-bit Windows-based
programs that can take full advantage of today’s hardware and operating system platforms. If a business is switching
existing desktops to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, applications as well as hardware compatibility and system
requirements need to be considered. The following chart provides a simple evaluation method:
For New and Existing PCs For Existing PCs Only
1. Are applications supported in
Windows NT Workstation 4.0?
2. Are hardware components and peripherals
supported in Windows NT Workstation 4.0?
3. Do systems meet or exceed the recommended
systems requirements? (e.g., Pentium class, 32-
64 MB RAM)
If Yes If No
Windows 98
Multiple App Users
Windows NT
Workstation 4.0
If no, consideration should be given to
porting applications to run with Windows NT
Workstation 4.0
Terminal Server -
Single App Users
To help with this evaluation Microsoft maintains several Web-based resources:
• Are existing applications compatible with Windows NT Workstation 4.0?
− Commercial MS-DOS-based and 16-bit applications: http://microsoft.com/windows/platform/info/16bit.htm
− Commercial 32-bit applications: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/thirdparty/winlogo/
• Is existing hardware compatible with Windows NT Workstation 4.0?
− Hardware compatibility list: http://www.microsoft.com/hwtest/
It’s important to note that Microsoft focuses on the listing only popular commercially available products. Most line-of-
business applications and no "custom" applications appear on the list.
PREPARING FOR
WINDOWS NT
WORKSTATION