Student Technology Handbook (PDF)
If you are buying a new computer, the following are recommended configurations:
(jump to exisiting computer requirements)
(get a printer-friendly PDF version of these requirements)
| Recommended Configurations for New Computers |
| Hardware | Windows | Macintosh |
Processor |
Pentium IV or equivalent |
PowerPC G5 - 1.8 GHz or |
| Memory (RAM) |
256 MB (minimum) |
512 MB (minimum) |
| Hard Drive | 20 GB (minimum) 40 GB recommended |
40 GB (minimum) |
| Monitor | 17" Color SVGA, 75Hz refresh rate (desktop) 12" color (laptop) | 17" Color, 75Hz refresh rate (desk) 12" color (laptop) (minimum) |
| Video Adaptor | AGP w/32MB RAM (desktop); |
64MB video RAM(desktop); (32MB okay for non-art majors only) |
| Multi-Media | Soundblaster 16bit compatible with speakers | Built-in with speakers |
| CD-R | Required (DVD optional) | Required (DVD optional) |
| Operating System | Windows XP Pro | MacOS System 10.3 |
| Software | MS Office XP or higher, Symantec Antivirus (VCU provided), any software required by your program | MS Office X or higher, Symantec Antivirus (VCU provided), any software required by your program |
| Optional (these items will be helpful to many or most students) | ||
| Removable Media | USB Memory Key (Flash Drive) | USB Memory Key (Flash Drive) |
| Miscellaneous Hardware | 15" or larger flat panel monitor, |
15" or larger flat panel monitor, ink-jet or laser printer; flat-bed scanner |
| Security Devices | security cable and locks for computer and printer | security cable and locks for computer and printer |
| Network Connection | ||
| On-Campus | 10/100 BaseT Ethernet; 25 foot cable | 10/100 BaseT Ethernet; 25 foot cable |
| Off-Campus | 56 Kbps V.90 modem and ISP Service (minimum), DSL or cable modem recommended |
56 Kbps V.90 modem and ISP Service (minimum), DSL or cable modem recommended |
| Optional Wireless Adaptors for Laptop Computers | ||
Must support standard 802.11b |
Must support standard 802.11b | |
| Minimum Configurations for Existing Computers |
| Hardware | Windows | Macintosh |
| Processor |
Pentium III MMX (500 MHz) (or equivalent) |
PowerPC G4 (450MHz) or Powerbook G4 (500MHz) |
| Memory (RAM) |
256 MB | 256 MB |
| Hard Disk | 10 GB (minimum) | 10 GB (minimum) |
| Monitor | 15" Color SVGA, 75Hz refresh rate |
15" Color, 75Hz refresh rate |
| Video Adaptor | AGP w/16MB RAM (desktop); AGP w/8MB RAM (laptop) | AGP w/16MB RAM(desktop); AGP w/8MB RAM (laptop) |
| Multi Media | Soundblaster 16-bit compatible (with speakers) | Built-in Sound card |
| CD/DVD Drive |
24X CD-ROM |
24X CD-ROM |
| Operating System | Windows 2000 or higher | MacOS System OSX or higher |
| Software | MS Office 2000 (standard) or higher, Symantec Antivirus (VCU provided), any software required by your program | MS Office X or higher, Symantec Antivirus (VCU provided), any software required by your program |
| Optional (these items will be helpful to many or most students) | ||
| Removable | USB Memory Key (Flash Drive) | USB Memory Key (Flash Drive) |
| Miscellaneous | CD-RW and/or DVD, ink-jet or laser printer; flat-bed scanner | CD-RW and/or DVD, ink-jet or laser printer; flat-bed scanner |
| Security Devices | security cable and locks for computer and printer | security cable and locks for computer and printer |
| Network Connection | ||
| On-Campus | 10/100 BaseT Ethernet; 25 foot cable | 10/100 BaseT Ethernet; 25 foot cable |
| Off-Campus | 56 Kbps V.90 modem and ISP Service (minimum), DSL or cable modem recommended | 56 Kbps V.90 modem and ISP service (minimum), DSL or cable modem recommended |
| Optional Wireless Adaptors for Laptop Computers | ||
| Must support standard 802.11b | Must support standard 802.11b | |
Specs updated April 15, 2005
Page maintained by the Student Computer Initiative Coordinator
Date Last Modified: October 14, 2005