Computer Hardware Recommendations

Phone: 244-6053, email (User Services)

**Note that because of the nature of the computer industry, specific computer recommendations could be out of date very quickly. Therefore, these recommendations are provided to assist you in determining which computer specifications are right for you.

Also note that this information, although useful to individuals interested in purchasing their own machine, is geared toward departmental purchases, not individual purchases. CIO recommends machines designed for the work environment (e.g., certified, consistent components for better reliability, longevity, and supportability) and are, therefore, not always the best choice for home users, especially for users with a very restricted "short-term" budget.

Recommended Computer Specifications, Based on Level of Use

CIO's Help Desk Coordinator recommends technology-related equipment to College of Education patrons, from computers to printers to PDAs, scanners, and anything in between!

Since technology and vendor pricing change so quickly, CIO recommends you call User Services
at 244-6053 to request a recommendation that suits your needs.

If you would like a recommendation on technology other than computers, call User Services and ask to speak directly with Jeremy Jones, User Services Coordinator.

PC Desktop Computers

To maintain consistent support and provide the highest-quality computers to the College, CIO will support the OptiPlex line of Dell desktop PCs, which are built for business-level computer environments. Their lifecycle is longer than the Dell Dimension line of PCs, and they require fewer hours of hardware support.

Recommended Dell OptiPlex Specifications, Based on Level of Use:

	Faculty/ Staff, Standard Usage	Faculty/Staff, Multimedia & Video	Long-Term Computer Use (4+ Years)
Processor/Speed	Intel Core 2 Duo  2.66 GHz 1006 MHz FSB	Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.66 GHz, 1006 MHz FSB	Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.66 GHz, 1006 MHz FSB
Memory (RAM)	DDR2 1 GB, 800 MHz	DDR2 4 GB, 800 MHz	DDR2 2 GB, 533 MHz
Hard Drive	SATA (Serial ATA) 80 GB, 7200 RPM	SATA (Serial ATA) 500 GB, 7200 RPM	SATA (Serial ATA) 250 GB, 7200 RPM
Media Drive(s)	DVDRW (16X) and DVD-ROM	DVDRW (16X) and DVD-ROM	DVDRW (16X) and DVD-ROM
Monitor Type/Size	19" LCD (Flat-Panel)	20" LCD (Flat-Panel)	19" LCD (Flat-Panel)
Video Card	128 MB w/ DVI (Digital) Option	256 MB Dual-Monitor w/ DVI (Digital) Option	128 MB Dual-Monitor w/ DVI (Digital) Option

 

PC Laptop Computers

As with the Dell OptiPlexes, Dell's Latitude notebooks are better built for business-end computing. On occasions, CIO's Help Desk Coordinator will recommend Dell Inspirons and other Vendor notebooks, such as Sony Vaios and Toshiba Tablet PCs. For these special requests, please contact CIO Help Desk at   244-6053 and ask to speak directly with Jeremy Jones.

Recommended Dell Latitude Specifications, Based on Level of Use:

	Faculty/ Staff, Standard Usage	Faculty/Staff, Multimedia & Video	Long-Term Computer Use (4+ Years)
Processor/Speed	Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.33 GHz,    667 MHz FSB	Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.33 GHz,    667 MHz FSB	Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.33 GHz,     667 MHz FSB
Memory (RAM)	DDR2 1 GB, 667 MHz	DDR2 2 GB, 533 MHz	DDR2 1 GB, 667 MHz
Hard Drive	80 GB, 5400 RPM	120 GB, 5400 RPM	80 GB, 5400 RPM
Media Drive (Modular)	16X DVDRW	16X DVDRW	16X DVDRW
Monitor Size	14.1"	14.1"	14.1"

 

Things of Note Regarding PC Laptops:

• Portability vs. Functionality: Before you purchase a laptop, be sure to consider how often you'll be travelling with the device. If you're a frequent traveler, you might want to buy a lightweight notebook that weighs under 4 pounds. Ultra-light laptops can weigh as little as 2 pounds! But be aware, these ultra-portable machines generally don't include all the peripherals you mayneed built into the machine. Sometimes, the CD or DVD drive is external to the laptop itself, and the machine might not have as many USB ports as its heavier laptop brethren. If you'd like more bang for your buck (i.e., a desktop replacement-style laptop), you might want to buy a notebook that weighs anywhere from 6-8 pounds but includes all the peripherals you'd need built into the laptop itself.
• Services & Warranties: As a general rule, you should purchase a minimum three-year warranty on your laptop. This warranty should include what is known as "complete care," too. Complete care means that, if anything on the computer were to break, the manufacturer must replace or fix that part--no questions asked. This includes damage to the computer that was inflicted by the user or a third party, such as accidentally dropping the machine or an airport scanner cracking the case. An extended warranty with complete care generally costs around $300 or more, but in the lifecycle of your machine, the coverage definitely is worth the cost!

 

Macintosh Desktop Computers

 

	Faculty/ Staff, Standard Usage	Faculty/Staff, Multimedia & Video	Long-Term Computer Use (4+ Years)
Processor/Speed	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz
Memory (RAM)	1 GB , DDR2 667 MHz	2 GB, DDR2 667 MHz	2 GB, DDR2 667 MHz
Hard Drive	SATA (Serial ATA) 160 GB, 7200 RPM	SATA (Serial ATA) 500 GB, 7200 RPM	SATA (Serial ATA) 250 GB, 7200 RPM
Media Drive(s)	DVDR/CDRW (SuperDrive)	DVDR/CDRW (SuperDrive)	DVDR/CDRW (SuperDrive)
Monitor Type/Size	20" Model	24" Model	20" Model
Video Card	128 MB PCI-E (ATI X1600)	256 MB PCI-E (Nvidia Gefore 7600GT)	128 MB PCI-E (ATI X1600)
Recommended Computer	iMac 20 Inch - 2.33 GHz	iMac 24 Inch - 2.33 GHz	iMac 20 Inch - 2.33 GHz

 

Macintosh Laptop Computers

 

	Faculty/ Staff, Standard Usage	Faculty/Staff, Multimedia & Video	Long-Term Computer Use (4+ Years)
Processor/Speed	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz
Memory (RAM)	1 GB , DDR2 667 MHz	3 GB, DDR2 667 MHz	2 GB, DDR2 667 MHz
Hard Drive	80 GB, SATA	160 GB, SATA	80 GB, SATA
Media Drive (Optical)	DVDR/CDRW (8x SuperDrive)	DVDR/CDRW (8x SuperDrive)	DVDR/CDRW (8x SuperDrive)
Monitor Size	13.3"	17"	13.3"
Recommended Computer	13" MacBook	17-Inch MacBook Pro	13" MacBook

 

Things of Note Regarding Mac Laptops:

• AppleCare Protection (Extended Warranty): As with all portable computers, it is a good idea to purchase an extended warranty to cover failed hardware for up to three years. Apple's extended warranty service, AppleCare Protection Plan, covers three years of hardware support and costs $239.00. You can select to auto-enroll with or without a display (external monitor).
  

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General Guidelines

• Processor: Buy the latest generation CPU (Central Processing Unit) regardless of the type of work you do to reduce the likelihood of having to upgrade hardware when you upgrade software. You also run the risk of *current* software running slowly on lower-end processors.
• Ethernet & Wireless (WiFi): All new computers come with Ethernet cards. Even if you plan on using the computer at home using modem connectivity, be sure to include an Ethernet card to cover possible future setups. As for wireless connectivity, it's a good idea to include a wireless card in any new laptop order. The College of Education has a secure wireless network available to all University faculty, staff, and students (and even guests of the University). Also, a lot of businesses now offer wireless connectivity, too. If you already own a laptop and do not have a wireless card, you can purchase a WiFi PC card from a number of online vendors or local retailer (Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Depot).
• Form Factor: Towers with larger monitors (19"-22") are highly recommended because of their better ergonomics. The middle of any monitor should be ~4" below eye-level. Monitors often are placed too high when they're set on top of desktop PCs.
• Laptop or Desktop? If you need speed or wish to upgrade your computer in the future, stick with a desktop computer for the most *bang for your buck.* If mobility is a key factor, consider buying a laptop and an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. You might also consider a docking station for easy connecting and disconnecting of your computer peripherals.
  It also is important to note that laptop computers are well-equipped to handle your everyday technology needs and can be used as your primary computer. In fact, many mobile users use laptops as desktop machines and simply buy a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to which they connect the laptop in the office and/or at home. This allows for nice file-storage portability, and you're ensured that your home or travel computer environment is identical to your office computer environment!
• Memory: Computer memory (RAM) is fairly cheap. Get at least 1 GB in a new computer. If you are a true power user, you will want at least 2 GB. If you regularly use many applications concurrently or use applications that require a lot of memory (like image- or video-editing software), you'll definitely want a minimum of 2 GB and might consider 3 - 4 GB.

Other Current Recommendations

• Windows Software on Mac: If you want to run Windows software on your Mac, please contact CIO (244-6053). There are various options available, depending on your Windows software needs. For some patrons, CIO's terminal server will suit your needs. The two main options are Parallels and Boot Camp.  If you want to run Windows software on a Mac make sure your computer has at least 1 GB of memory and it is recommended that you have 2 GB.
• Mac Limitations: All new Macs do not include floppy or Zip drives. If you'd like one or both of these options, you'll need to purchase external drives that connect to the Mac's available USB ports.
• File Storage:
  • People should be encouraged to use the network for storage of work-related files. Our network servers routinely back up all data to provide an extra layer of file protection for you.
  • For those of you who must have removable, rewritable media, consider purchasing a USB memory key (a.k.a. USB flash drive). These small USB keys come in a variety of sizes and are relatively cheap. Another option would be a CD- or DVD-burner (CDRW or DVDRW). CDRs can hold up to 800 MB of data; DVDRs hold up to 4.7 GB.