SCI
Computer Hardware & Software Specifications
for 2004 - 2005
Recommendation
for: New or Existing
Computer
The
following academic programs have different or specific requirements
for computers. If you plan to be in one of these programs,
please check carefully the requirements of your program and make
sure you get a computer that conforms to their requirements.
If your school/program is not listed here, you can follow the
general computer requirements below.
Operating
System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional,
for Windows-based computers, Macintosh OS X for
Apple Macintosh computers. The operating system should come pre-installed
on any computer that you purchase. If you purchase a computer
that has Windows XP Home Edition and you plan to live in the residence
halls, you will need to upgrade to Professional.
Please see the Software Suite information below, as there is a
special upgrade price for students for XP Professional.
Software
Suite: Microsoft Office XP for Windows-based computers,
Microsoft Office 2001 or Microsoft Office X for Apple Macintosh
computers. If your computer does MS Office XP, you can buy the
suite for $59.95/69.95 (depending on version) from Online@VCU
(see "specials") if you are a student and
have a student ID. You will obtain a student ID
at STAR, so you can plan on making that purchase when you come
to STAR. You should plan at least 30 days lead time
to obtain the software at this special price.
Other
Software: Either MS Internet Explorer or Mozilla are
recommended for web-browsing. Mozilla and Norton Anti-virus software
can be downloaded
free from VCU. Norton Anti-virus software is available from
VCU under a site license agreement.
If you are buying a new machine, the following are recommended
minimum configurations to access the VCU network and computing
environment:
| Recommended
Minimum Configurations for New Computers |
| Hardware |
Windows |
Macintosh |
| Recommended |
|
|
Processor
|
Pentium
IV or equivalent
(Pentium M or Centrino
or equivalent recommended for laptops)
|
PowerPC
G5 - 1.6 GHz or
Powerbook
G4 1 GHz
For non-art majors only:
iMac w/ 17" screen, eMac or iBooK
(please check w/ your department to make sure Macs are
allowed).
|
Memory
(RAM) |
256
MB (minimum)
512 MB recommended |
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);
AGP
w/16MB RAM (laptop) |
64MB
video RAM(desktop); (32MB okay for non-art majors only) |
| Multi-Media |
Soundblaster
16bit compatible with speakers |
Built-in
with speakers |
| CD-RW |
Required
(DVD optional) |
Required
(DVD optional) |
| Operating
System |
Windows
XP Pro |
MacOS
System 10.3 |
| Software |
MS
Office XP or higher |
MS
Office X or higher |
| |
|
|
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,
ink-jet
or laser printer;
flat-bed scanner |
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 |
| |
Cisco
350 Series PC Card
(AIR-PCM 352)
Must
support standard 802.11b |
Apple
Airport card (M7600LL/E) or (M8881LL/A)
Must
support standard 802.11b |
| Recommended
Minimum Configurations for Existing Computers |
| Hardware |
Windows |
Macintosh |
| Recommended |
|
|
| Processor |
Pentium
III MMX (500 MHz) (or equivalent) |
PowerPC
G3 (400MHz) |
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 |
| Removable |
1.4MB
3.5" floppy |
|
CD
/ DVD Drive
|
4X
DVD-ROM
24X CD-ROM (recommended) |
4X
DVD-ROM
24X CD-RW |
| Operating
System |
Windows
2000 or higher |
MacOS
System OSX or higher |
| Software |
MS Office 2000 (standard) or higher |
MS Office 2001 or higher |
| |
|
|
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,
ink-jet or laser printer; flat-bed scanner |
CD-RW,
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 |
| |
Cisco
350 Series PC Card
(AIR-PCM 352) with Integrated RP-TNC, Diversity Antenna, 128
bit (Disys Corp - 703 802-0500)
Must
support standard 802.11b |
Apple
Airport card (M7600-001B)
Must
support standard 802.11b |
Specs
updated April 22, 2004
|