Computing technology changes a lot, and ITS will make every effort to keep these recommendations up to date. Check back often for the latest information. These recommendations are for new computers only.
The following guidelines are developed for typical use for all students.
| Common Desktop Software Set |
| Function |
Recommended Windows Package |
| Operating System |
Windows XP or 2000 Professional |
| Word Processing |
Microsoft Office - Word |
| Spreadsheet |
Microsoft Office - Excel |
| Presentation |
Microsoft Office - PowerPoint |
| E-mail |
Microsoft Outlook XP |
| Web Browser |
Netscape Navigator or MS Internet Explorer |
| Database |
Microsoft Access |
| Web Development |
Dreamweaver or Microsoft Office - Front Page |
| Desktop Publishing |
Adobe PageMaker |
| Anti-Virus |
MacAfee (NAI) Virus can |
| Dialup |
Windows Dial-up networking |
| Purchasing a PC |
| Components and factors |
If you already have a computer |
Buying a new computer - MINIMUM specifications |
| PC desktop |
PC laptop |
| Processor (CPU) |
500MHz speed or better |
2.0 GHz Pentium 4 or better |
1.4 GHz Pentium 3 or better |
Color monitor and video
card |
High-color (16-bit) display and compatible video card |
17-inch color monitor, 4x AGP bus video card with 64MB video RAM |
14>-inch TFT display, 4x AGP bus video card with 32MB video RAM |
| Hard drive (HD) |
10 gigabytes or better |
30 gigabytes or better |
30 gigabytes or better |
| Memory (RAM) |
128 megabytes or better |
512 megabytes or better |
512 megabytes or better |
| Floppy disk drive |
3.5-inch 1.44 megabytes |
3.5-inch 1.44 megabytes |
3.5-inch 1.44 megabytes USB |
| CD or DVD drive |
any speed |
any speed DVD or better |
any speed DVD or better |
| Operating System |
Windows 9.x/NT/2000 |
Windows XP Professional |
Windows XP Professional |
| Keyboard / pointer |
Student preference (mouse, trackball, or track pad) |
| Modem or network card |
Modem 56 kbps, or 10BaseT Ethernet card |
Built-in 56 kbps (V.90) fax modem for off-campus dial-in or 10/100Base-TX network card for on-campus or residence hall; minimum is 10BaseT card |
Same as desktop specs, or wireless network card for 802.11b |
| Sound system |
Sound card with speakers |
Sound card with speakers (SoundBlaster 16-compatible) |
| ORemovable storage |
n/a |
Optional drives: CD-RW, Zip, or DVD/CD-RW combo |
| Expected price |
n/a |
PC desktop ˜$1,000 |
PC laptop ˜$1,500 |
| Purchasing a Macintosh |
| Components and factors |
If you already have a computer |
Buying a new computer - MINIMUM specifications |
| Macintosh desktop |
Macintosh laptop |
| Processor (CPU) |
400MHz speed or better |
700MHz PowerPC G4 |
500MHz >G3 or better |
Color monitor and video
card |
High-color (16-bit) display and compatible video card |
17-inch color monitor |
12-inch color monitor or better |
| Hard drive (HD) |
6 gigabytes or better |
40 gigabytes or better |
15 gigabytes or better |
| Memory (RAM) |
64 megabytes or better |
256 megabytes SDRAM, expandable to 1G |
256 megabytes or better |
| Floppy disk drive |
3.5-inch 1.44 megabytes |
3.5-inch 1.44 megabytes USB |
3.5-inch 1.44 megabytes USB |
| CD or DVD drive |
any speed |
32x speed CD-ROM or better |
32x speed CD-ROM or better |
| Operating System |
Macintosh OS 8.x |
Macintosh OS 9.1 or X |
Macintosh OS X |
| Keyboard / pointer |
Student preference (mouse, trackball, or track pad) |
| Modem or network card |
Modem 56 kbps, or 10BaseT Ethernet card |
Built-in 56 kbps (V.90) fax modem for off-campus dial-in or 10/100Base-TX network card for on-campus or residence hall; minimum is 10BaseT card |
Same as desktop specs, or wireless network card for 802.11b |
| Sound system |
Sound card with speakers |
whatever is included with the computer |
| ORemovable storage |
n/a |
Optional drives: CD-RW, Zip, or DVD/CD-RW combo |
| Expected price |
n/a |
Macintosh desktop ˜$1,000 |
Macintosh laptop ˜$1,300 |
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