MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

NAME: PAUL MALOBA KAMALA

REG NO: BHR/G/02-70447/2022

COURSE CODE: HRM 812

COURSE TITLE: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

SUBMITTED TO: DR. WAWIRE

ASSIGNMENT: TAKE AWAY

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 20TH JUNE, 2023

1
 1. Identify a major computer manufacturer and examine the vendor’s newest desktop
system and portable system. Prepare a report explaining the specifications for both
systems including additional information from sources such as opinions, articles and
reviews.
Computer Manufacturer-DELL INC

Introduction

Dell Inc., formerly PC’s Limited (1984–88) and Dell Computer Corporation (1988–2003), global

company that designs, develops, and manufactures personal computers (PCs) and a variety of
computer-related products. The company is one of the world’s leading computer brands and a supplier
of PCs headquartered in Round Rock, Texas.

The company, first named PC’s Limited, was founded in 1984 by American Michael Dell, who was
then a student at the University of Texas in Austin. Initially running the business from a dormitory
room, Dell started out providing customized upgrades for PCs. The venture proved profitable, and Dell
dropped out of college that same year to begin building PCs. In 1985 the company released the Turbo
PC, the first computer featuring Dell’s own design. Founded on the premise of creating and selling
custom-built PCs directly to consumers, the company initially sold its products through advertisements
and mail-order catalogs. By avoiding the costs associated with traditional retail markets, Dell was able
to offer high-quality PCs at competitive prices. Dell emphasized customer support, sending
technicians to service PCs and implementing a policy of risk-free returns. This business model proved
successful, and the company quickly grew, expanding into international markets. The company,
renamed Dell Computer Corporation, went public in 1988.

Dell released its first notebook computer, the 316LT, in 1989. The following years were marked by
advancements in Dell’s mobile technology. In 1991 Dell’s first colour notebook computer went on
sale, and in 1994 Dell was the first company to offer long-lasting lithium-ion batteries. In 1996 Dell
began selling PCs online and also used the Internet for customer support. Online sales helped Dell
overtake the Compaq Computer Corporation in 1999 as the largest seller of PCs in the United States.

Advantages of Dell Computers

1. The Dell computers are light and have an excellent screen to display ratio compared to the
other computer companies. They are user-friendly and convenient to use.

2
 2. Its newer models have slimmer bezels and excellent looks. It is a good substitute for the older
model if you are not satisfied.
3. Dell is the best option if you like carrying a light laptop around. They are light and easily fit in
your bag without causing too much hassle to carry.
4. Dell has an extensive product range, including laptops, desktops, and monitors. In addition,
many accessories are available for sale, such as batteries and SD cards.
5. Dell offers the latest gadgets with the best specifications and innovations. As a result, they are
ahead of time compared to other devices.
Dell’s newest desktop system and portable system

Dell offers a wide range of laptops and features high performance models within several product
families.

XPS
XPS laptops are designed with cutting-edge technologies, exceptional build quality, unique materials,
and powerful features. Equipped with the latest processors, up to UHD+ displays, and components that
deliver faster time to productivity, XPS devices are the ultimate high-performance laptop for graphic-
intensive applications.
Features of XPS high-performance laptops include:

 The latest processors and graphics cards

 Up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM or more
 Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid-State Drives
 Up to 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400) displays with over 9 million pixels
 Dolby Vision™ for ultra-vivid picture quality and colors never before seen on SDR PC
displays

Inspiron
Inspiron laptops feature the latest Intel and AMD processors, robust memory and storage, and up to
UHD displays in a compact form. Thoughtfully designed and built with lightweight materials,
these lightweight laptops feature immersive audio and visuals along with meaningful innovation for an
upgraded experience.

3
Features include:

 The latest processors and graphics cards

 Up to 24GB, 8GB on-board+16GB SODIMM, DDR4, 2933MHz
 Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid-State Drives
 Displays with resolution up to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
 ExpressCharge™ – get your battery from 0% up to 80% in as fast as an hour

Pre-configured models with a range of options

When you choose a top-of-the-line performance laptop solution from Dell, you'll have a wide range of
options to suit your needs. Dell customizable laptops include a selection of pre-configured models
with a variety of processors, graphics cards, hard drives, RAM, storage drives, touchscreen
technology, and more. With a choice of screen resolution, you can configure an HD laptop or a 4K
laptop and with a choice of screen sizes, you can choose a smaller, lighter device or a large screen
laptop.

Precision Workstations
Precision workstations are built to handle the most demanding applications across a broad array of
industries. These workstations are available in multiple form factors. With the latest processors,
professional graphics and scalable memory and storage options, Precision devices are some of the
most powerful workstations in the world.

OptiPlex Desktop Computers

OptiPlex offers versatile desktops and all-in-ones built for business that provide greater flexibility,
space-saving form factors and ultra-stylish designs. Flexible form factors make it simple to find a
desktop that fits any workspace. The latest processors and next-generation graphics cards deliver the
performance users need to tackle processing-intensive projects and support VR consumption.

Vostro Business Laptops

Vostro desktop and laptops are Dell's small business computers. Affordable devices in a professional
design with essential productivity features, built-in security, reliable support and flexible options,
Vostro computers are a strong option for the typical office worker. They feature space-saving designs,
the latest processors, and plenty of ports for easy connectivity.

4
 2. Identify any three desktop publishing software and review their features. Prepare a
report to be submitted to your boss, the Human Resources Manager, comparing the three
programs and recommending the best.
Introduction
Desktop publishing (DTP) software is designed for creating visual communications such as
brochures, business cards, greeting cards, web pages, posters, and more for professional or personal
printing online or on-screen.
Usage of any program from publishing software is an essential aspect for any business, organization,
or specialist who intends to create quality printed material, whether it is a brochure, book, or
magazine. All desktop publishing softwares, which were once only a professional domain, are now
used in various industries of human life, including localization, translation, marketing, retail,
healthcare, etc. Moreover, lots of desktop publishing services have recently become available to every
user. It provides a wide range of features, such as editing of texts and images, typography, layout
design, and other tools needed to produce high-quality publications for print or digital distribution.

Examples of DTP
a. ADOBE INDESIGN
Adobe InDesign is the most common program from the list of desktop publishing software examples,
introduced by Adobe Systems in 1999. This program is used by marketers, designers, publishers, and
many other specialists all over the world to create high-quality documentation. It is known for its
unrivaled features used for creating professional publications, interactive documents, and multimedia
proposals, adding audio or video elements, etc. This publishing software provides a rich layout toolset
and also integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as Photoshop and Illustrator. It
simplifies the process of sharing files and collaborating with other designers and publishers. With
Adobe InDesign, it is possible to edit and convert various formats, including EPUB, SWF, XML, PSD,
Word, and PDF.

MAIN FEATURES:
 Vector graphics and interactive media;
 Automatic resizing and multiple orientations;
 Integration with adobe creative cloud applications;
 Various formats of outputting data, including PDF, ePUB, and HTML.

5
 ADVANTAGES:

 Supports high-quality graphics and media, making it ideal for digital documents;
 Advanced opentype fonts, incorporation of typekit and other typography tools;
 Offers a wide range of features, tutorials, and guides for creating complex documents;
 Provides multilingual support, making it highly popular among designers and publishers.

DISADVANTAGES:

 Unavailable for Linux;

 Confusing and complicated for beginners;
 High price point, making it less accessible to small companies;
 Provides files of large size, making it difficult to share and process.

b. QUARKXPRESS

QuarkXPress was released in 1987. It has been staying among the most popular desktop publishing
software examples for a long time, especially during the 1990s. Being the number one choice among
desktop publishing software examples for the LSP industry, it provides a lot of opportunities for
translators who work on multiple projects at a time. Besides, the application is also used by designers,
large publishing houses, and corporations for creating all kinds of files, from single-page flyers to
multimedia projects for magazines, newspapers, catalogs, etc. Moreover, Quark also supports eBooks,
webpages, and mobile apps. It can also integrate with Microsoft Excel and XML, making it easy to
import and export data. This layout and prepress program helps produce dynamic final output using an
impressive toolset.

MAIN FEATURES:

 Importing files from indesign;

 Impressive opentype controls;
 Outputting and editing PDF files;
 Ability to create web pages and Android apps;
 Integration with Microsoft Excel and XML editors;
 Supports color management including SVG, SBIX, and COLR.

6
 ADVANTAGES:

 Contains 37 languages;
 Is easy to use for beginners;
 Allows precise control of text formatting;
 Provides specific tools for layout automation;
 Offers a wide range of features to provide graphics and media of the highest quality.

DISADVANTAGES:

 Is unavailable for Linux users;

 Is not accessible for companies with a small budget.

c. MICROSOFT PUBLISHER
This publishing software was brought to the market in the early 90s by Microsoft Corporation;
Microsoft Publisher is the king among all other desktop publishing software examples for Windows. It
has gained plenty of useful features over the years. It is focused on small businesses, where firms do
not have designers for creating marketing materials, or just home users.

Nowadays, it allows for the creation of professional-looking publications with the use of photos and
text blocks. This program is highly capable and provides a rich selection of already existing templates
and typography tools, so users can choose to start with a blank sheet. Publisher offers a range of
templates for creating professional-looking documents, such as brochures, flyers, and newsletters. It is
considered one of the most common desktop publishing software examples systems, which makes it
easy to create high-quality documents without the need for advanced design skills. Microsoft Publisher
is usually presented as a part of the Microsoft Office package. The latest versions adopted a more
touch-friendly UI. Eventually, its interface would be familiar to anyone who has used other Office
apps.

MAIN FEATURES:
 Drag-and-drop image import;
 Easy-to-use interface and templates;
 Integration with microsoft office applications;
 Various formats of output, including pdf and html;
 Supports color management including SVG, SBIX, and COLR.

7
 ADVANTAGES:

 Accessible for small businesses due to the decent price;

 Easy-to-use interface simplifies the process of navigation for beginners;
 Enables seamless workflow and file sharing with the help of Microsoft Office applications.

DISADVANTAGES:

 Unavailable for Linux users;

 Limited font and feature selection;
 Incompatible with Adobe programs;
 Limited choice of templates, graphics, and design tools.

Recommendation to HR manager

Bearing in mind the other two desktop publishing softwares and their features, i find the Adobe
Indesign to be the best publishing software hence recommend to the human resource manager for use due to
the features and advantages it has which gives it a competitive edge over other firms through the quality
of work produced by this software among other softwares. Although it’s expensive, the firm is
guaranteed of high returns at the end of the day.

8
References

 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Dell Inc.". Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 May. 2023

 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Michael Dell". Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Feb.
2023.
 Texas State Historical Association - The Handbook of Texas - Dell Computer Corporation by
Gloria Lotha (May 10th ,2023)