Cisco Desk Series vs. Polycom RealPresence Group Series

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco Desk Series
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
A whiteboarding, videoconferencing and a second laptop display in one single device. The Cisco Desk Series delivers a collaboration experience to desks, in shared spaces, or small huddle spaces. Models include the Desk Pro, Desk, and Desk Mini. All Desk devices have advanced audio intelligence built in for distraction free meetings, a USB-C connection to pair devices wirelessly or dock a laptop.
$5,495
one-time fee **discounts available
Polycom RealPresence Group Series
Score 6.0 out of 10
N/A
The Polycom RealPresence Group Series is a video conferencing codec that connects to a standards-based video conferencing infrastructure to allow users to make video conference calls. There are three products in the series – RealPresence Group 300, RealPresence Group 500, and RealPresence Group 700. It is certified to use with Office 365 and Skype for Business.N/A
Pricing
Cisco Desk SeriesPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco Desk SeriesPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco Desk SeriesPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Considered Both Products
Cisco Desk Series
Chose Cisco Desk Series
Tried HP monitor AiO, Polycom device, and Logitech devices. Tried AiO monitors, and the sound was not sufficient. Tried the camera, microphone, speakers, and dock and it was very messy with too many wires, and the configuration needed a desk. Pro has a big benefit in that can …
Polycom RealPresence Group Series

No answer on this topic

Top Pros
Top Cons
Best Alternatives
Cisco Desk SeriesPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Small Businesses
Zoom Workplace
Zoom Workplace
Score 8.2 out of 10
Zoom Workplace
Zoom Workplace
Score 8.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Headsets
Cisco Headsets
Score 9.3 out of 10
Cisco Headsets
Cisco Headsets
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Headsets
Cisco Headsets
Score 9.3 out of 10
Cisco Headsets
Cisco Headsets
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco Desk SeriesPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Likelihood to Recommend
8.6
(28 ratings)
7.7
(26 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Support Rating
9.1
(1 ratings)
8.3
(4 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco Desk SeriesPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
The tool is great for having a day in and day out video calls with the client in today's COVID world, where physical interaction is limited and the best suited is for having meetings with clients and showcasing them the product demonstration, at a large scale as this has smooth video interaction and makes any large scale webinar a piece of cake while using it.
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Poly
If you're always working in the Polycom ecosystem then the Group Series codecs are reliable and the quality of the camera and microphones are extremely good. However, the system relies heavily on either having onsite server technology and/or cloud based bridging capability. In addition, the peripherals like cameras and microphones are quite expensive. Maintenance and support costs also make the ongoing investment a costly one
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Pros
Cisco
  • It charges my laptop while being an amazing secondary monitor.
  • Optimizes the video and audio with superior sound and microphones.
  • A very nice compact digital whiteboard.
  • Hooks in with Webex meetings and Teams in such a seamless way.
  • Handles calling like a desk phone and is natural to use.
  • Looks so beautiful and is such a great addition to your desk.
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Poly
  • The audio and video quality can not be matched.
  • For the most part, they are rather simplistic in their use and just work. People don't usually have a hard time operating them
  • They are rather versatile in that we have been able to integrate them with other applications
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Cons
Cisco
  • The WebRTC function that's used for certain meeting types should include a progress bar. A lot of users think the device is frozen.
  • At entry, the price was a bit high. I haven't bought one recently.
  • More backgrounds would be nice.
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Poly
  • The only issue that we have experienced with Polycom RealPresence Group Series is the speed dial functionality. When attempting to use the speed dial buttons, the system occasionally sends a call through the computer system, not the phone. While the computer call option is valuable, not everyone can answer calls that way and we have had to do a manual lookup of an extension and call back when that happens.
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
Simple, Fantastic and always improving with software upgrades
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Poly
We love the product and is totally integrated in our company.
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Usability
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Poly
The directory is slightly dated and unless you have a Skype for Business integration license, dialing users into a call is difficult. The Group Series Remote whilst minimalistic is actually more difficult to use than the previous HDX remote. Having to recharge the battery on the group series remote is both annoying and difficult as if you do not keep on top of it, you will be faced with a situation where the remote is not working and then have to try and find another one. Not ideal if you need to start a video call (assuming auto join has not been enabled in the admin portal).
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Support Rating
Cisco
I have not had to use support yet as our use of Webex Desk Pro is so new, but all the questions that I have had have been answered with such promptness and clarity that it is clear Cisco has a passion about this device and about providing high quality in all that they do. Their support is top notch and you will never need to fear when reaching out to them.
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Poly
I can't say I've needed support more than a handful of times. One was for trying to connect a Polycom Conference phone and a Real Presence together. After a few months, we came to the conclusion it wasn't possible, that was the only frustrating occurance with support. Any other time if we needed to RMA a device, it was very smooth.
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Alternatives Considered
Cisco
Organisation decided to went ahead with Cisco Webex Desk Pro becase of these following key differences: 1.- Microphone: Advanced noise-canceling microphone array vs Built-in microphone with Logitech MeetUp. 2.- Speakers: Superior Sound system vs Built-in speakerphone with Logitech MeetUp. 3.- Display: 27-inch 4K touchscreen vs. No touchscreen with Logitech MeetUp. Cisco TAC support is great.
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Poly
Polycom RealPresence Group Series stands head and shoulders above Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex Meetings both for dependability and robust delivery of function. One established the meetings were very hard to break apart but easy to end when so desired. The installation of the devices, the training of technicians, and end-users were both intuitive and easy to manage, where the same interactions with Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex In my opinion, and experience, were challenging to work through.
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Return on Investment
Cisco
  • For team work, projects are completed sooner and you can make a profit
  • Saving time and this means the possibility of more profit
  • If the number of projects is large, the investment will return quickly
  • The software license fee is too high
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Poly
  • Once pexip integrates Polycom/skype this will be a big win for us due to the RPTouch integrating the "one - touch join". This will increase adoption of video greatly.
  • Before the Group series with peripherals was implemented the cost of a video room was twice what it is today. Massive win.
  • Due to provisioning and automated firmware the IT involvement has been greatly reduced. No longer is there a need for manual changes to individual endpoints.
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ScreenShots

Cisco Desk Series Screenshots

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