Most current personal computers will connect to ResNet once a 10BaseT Network Card has been installed. Your computer should have one of the following as a minimum system configuration. Current versions of the following operating systems and hardware are highly recommended. In addition, all Windows based computers must be running Windows XP Service Pack 3 or Windows Vista, updated Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software. Microsoft Security Essentials is available for free.

Students can receive up to a 12% discount on Dell purchases through the University Bookstore.

Intel (IBM PC or compatible)

Most new computers that are shipping from major computer manufacturers, such as Dell, HP, Toshiba, and Sony, meet or exceed our minimum requirements. However, for those of you looking to purchase or upgrade your computers, here are some guidelines (minimum and recommended) for use on our ResNet network. Check with the department of your major course of study for any special requirements.

For a new computer purchase we recommend at least:

• Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent processor, 2 GHz or better (Intel Core i5 equivalent or better recommended)
• 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended)
• 120 Gigabyte hard drive (320 GB or more recommended)
• Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or Windows 7
• nVidea geForce or ATI Radeon Video Card with 128 MB RAM minimum (256 MB RAM recommended)
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet card (required for network access)
• 48x CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive
• Keyboard, Speakers, Mouse, Soundcard, 19" Monitor (1028x768 resolution)
• Optional but recommended: USB Inkjet Printer, Surge Supressor, USB Flash Drive)
• For laptops, wireless ethernet 802.11b/g/n recommended. Intel chipset recommended over Broadcom chipset.

**Netbooks – We do not recommend netbooks for students to use as their only computer. These computers are not upgradable and usually do not come with an optical drive or Windows, and often do not have ethernet connectivity.

For bringing an existing computer to campus, we recommend the following minimum requirements:

• Intel ATOM dual core, AMD Fusion dual core or equivalent processor, 3 Ghz minimum
• 1GB RAM (2GB or more recommended)
• 250 Gigabyte hard drive with 500 MB free space
• Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or Windows 7
• nVidea geForce or ATI Radeon Video Card with 64 MB RAM or higher recommended
• 10/100 Ethernet card (required for network access)
• Internal 802.11 b/g/n wireless ethernet.
• 48x CD-RW Drive
• Keyboard, Speakers, Mouse, Soundcard, 17" Monitor
• Optional but recommended: USB Inkjet Printer, Surge Supressor, USB Flash Drive)

Apple Macintosh

All of the current iMacs, MacBooks, Mac Pros, and Mac Minis that are shipping from Apple meet or exceed our minimum requirements. For those of you looking to bring an existing Macintosh to campus, we suggest the following minimum requirements:

• Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent processor, 2.0 GHz or better. (Intel Core i5 or better recommended)
• 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more highly recommended)
• 120 Gigabyte hard drive (320 Gigabyte or larger recommended)
• OS X 10.5 or higher.
• Removable Storage (CD-RW/DVD-R super drive or USB Flash Drive recommended)
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet Card (required for network access)
• For laptops, wireless Ethernet 802.11b/g/n recommended.

Keep in mind that the new Macs can run Windows XP as well, either using the dual-boot provided with the latest version of OS X, or through third party software like Parallels.

Also keep in mind that the Macbook Air does not have an ethernet option. Since ethernet is our preferred and recommended method of connection, you should be aware when considering purchasing a laptop that if wireless is not available, you will not have another method to connect to the Internet, where other laptop and desktop options would offer both ethernet and wireless connectivity.

General Purchasing Tips

We recommend doing a bit of comparison shopping when looking for a computer. Even on a manufacturer’s site, there may be many deals to be had, with cheaper prices depending on where you look. Always check the main store, the education store, and tv offers if available on any site. Also, compare and contrast with box retail stores such as Best Buy, and even online retailers such as Amazon.com. With a little savvy shopping, you can usually find a good deal.

Most computer companies offer several “flavors” of a computer, going from entry-level to mid-range to high-end. Unless your student is a graphic arts student, is working with video creation, or an avid gamer, you don’t need to get the top of the line, most expensive computer (though it will last you a little longer if you do). But you don’t want to go for the entry-level computer either; even though it’s less expensive, it will quickly be outdated, and you’ll end up needing a new computer far sooner than usual. We recommend looking at the mid-range price level of computers, usually around $800-$1200 for desktops and around $1000-1200 for laptops, with Macintosh being slightly higher.

When looking at computers, look for future expandability. Buy as much memory as you can when you purchase your computer; more memory will make your computer run faster and will allow you to run it much longer. Keep in mind, however, that Windows XP and Vista (except the 64-bit versions) have a cap of 3 gigabytes worth of usable memory.

Also, the more disk space you have, the longer you have until you need to upgrade and the more stuff you can hold. Especially with laptops, where the hard drives are harder to replace and upgrade, go for the most space you can afford. However, you can always supplement a smaller laptop drive with an external hard drive at a later date. Also, if your plan is to use the cloud or external storage, then you can choose to have a smaller hard drive installed in your system.

Finally, we recommend considering a laptop purchase, rather than a desktop purchase. While generally more expensive than their cheaper desktop counterparts, laptops tend to be more useful due to their mobility and built-in wireless access. Having a laptop allows the student to take their computer with them, to be used between classes or at the library, and is easily transported, allowing them to continue to work on their studies over weekends at home. However, as stated earlier, laptops tend to be more expensive, and more difficult to upgrade. Still, the majority of the mid-range to upper-range cost laptops will likely last your student years before needing an upgrade.

If you are going with a laptop, we also recommend a laptop desk and/or a cooling pad. Because of their portable nature, laptops tend to be used on non-traditional computing surfaces, like beds and laps. Because of that, often times these surfaces tend to block the air vents for cooling the laptop. Extended blockage of those cooling vents can cause the laptop to overheat, lock up, and worse. Laptop desks often have a soft, bean-bag like bottom and a hard plastic or wooden top emulating the surface of a desk; laptop coolers sit under the laptop and force cool air onto the laptop through small fans, sometimes USB powered.

Lastly, if you're looking for a Windows based laptop, Microsoft has an online program to help recommend laptops that suit your needs. Keep in mind this may not be the most up-to-date recommendations, and it is on a Microsoft site (so they're looking to sell you something), but it does offer a pretty good jumping off point if you aren't sure where to start.

What Not To Bring

With more and more devices becoming network or internet connected, we would like to point out that not all "network" devices are compatible with our network. Specifically, the following items are known not to work.

• Routers, Switches and Wireless Access Points. Routers, switches and wireless access points are not permitted on the ResNet network. Plugging one in may result in your network port being deactivated.
• Wireless Printers. Wireless printers will not be able to connect wirelessly on our network. These are meant to be shared on private networks, and cannot be set up on the large area network of ResNet. You can connect your wireless printer directly to your computer using a USB cable (usually provided with the printer).
• Wireless or Network Storage Devices. Like wireless printers, these devices are intended for small, private home networks. Also like wireless printers, these devices usually have cables that can be used to directly attach them to your computer for use in Residence Halls.