What computer should you bring to school?
Chris Hollomon | Tech Section Manager
So, you're off to college! As we speak, your parents are probably writing the list of supplies
we all know you won't really need. One thing you do need is a good computer. What
computer should you get? There are so many choices. PC, Mac, iMac, and what's this Linux everyone is
talking about? In this article I'll show you what the school recommends,
and what you really need.
Here is what the school recommends.
2000 - Computer Recommendations for RU Students
DESKTOPS
Component
IBM Compatible
Apple iMac or PowerMac
Processor
500MHz or faster
G3 - 350MHz or Faster
Memory
128MB RAM
128MB RAM
Hard Drive
8GB or larger hard disk
6 GB or larger hard disk
CD-ROM Drive
24x or better CD-ROM
24X CD-ROM included
Zip Drive
Internal 100MB Zip Drive
External USB Zip Drive
Sound Card
SoundBlaster compatible
included
Video Card
8 MB or more
6 MB VRAM Included
Monitor
15" or larger color monitor
15" or larger Color Monitor
Network Adapter
3Com Fast EtherLink (3C905B-TX or 3C905C-TX)
10/100 BaseT Ethernet included in computer
Modem
56K v.90 modem
56K v.90 modem
Operating System
Windows 98
MacOS 8.6 or Later
LAPTOPS
Processor
450 MHz or Faster
300MHz G3 or Faster
Memory
At least 64MB RAM
64MB RAM or more
Hard Drive
4 GB or larger hard disk
4 GB or larger hard disk
CD-ROM Drive
24X or better CD-ROM
20X or better CD-ROM
Zip Drive
External Zip Drive
External Zip Drive
Network Adapter
3Com Fast EtherLink (3CCFE574BT) 10/100
10/100 BaseT Ethernet Included with computer
Modem
56K v.90
56K v.90
Operating System
Windows 98
MacOS 8.6 or Later
MINIMUM SUPPORTED SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
The following are the minimum system configurations for use with the
campus modem pool and Ethernet connections. The technical staff will be
unable to provide support for systems that lack these minimum
specifications. Although systems meeting these specifications may not run
the very latest software, they will provide Internet connectivity and
basic functionality.
You will probably want to buy an IBM Compatible-PC because it is the most common and
it has more software and support available. The New G3's
from Apple are very nice, but more expensive then a comparable PC.
If you're going to major in graphics, they may come in handy, but
remember, 98% of everything you will need to do at this
school can be done on a PC.
When purchasing the following computers, you have many options. Here is
a list of really good places on the Internet to get some great deals.
www.egghead.com -auctions and surplus, as well as buy direct abilities www.onsale.com - for at-cost buying www.ebay.com - personal auctions www.dell.com - excellent prices on refurbished machines. (They have one of the highest-rated support teams) www.ibm.com - costs a little more, but has excellent tech support www.apple.com - Check out the G3's. (We suggest staying away from iMacs)
Here are our suggestions to consider when bringing a computer to RU.
low end: AMD k6/2 or k6/3 - 350MHz or faster will run you between $500-
$1000* depending on major options. This is an excellent processor, and cheaper
then the Pentiums.
mid range: Pentium Celeron or PII 350MHZ or faster. Price $1500-$3000*
high end: PIII or AMD ATHALON with 600MHZ or as much as you can get. This can run
$2000-$5000.*
Memory
low-end: 64MB RAM (you won't be happy with anything else. Trust us)
mid to high: 128MB, or as much as you can get.
Hard Drive
low-end: 2-8GB
mid to high: 10GB or larger hard disk
CD-ROM Drive
all ranges: 12x or faster CD-ROM
CD-ROM recordables (great idea for graphic majors)
Nowadays these are so easy to use and are a great idea for making your own music and backing up data
Zip Drive (for graphics majors this is great idea)
low-enders can skip this, but if you can get one, you should, because they are more stable then a regular floppy and you can use this on 95% of the schools computers.
mid to high: Internal or external Zip Drive
Video Card
low-end: 4 MB or more - this is not recommend for gamers or graphic artists
mid-high: 3d graphics card. 12-32MB of ram
AGP
Matrox g400, 3, Banshee or a Riva TNT 1 or 2 card
Monitor
low-end: 15" or larger color monitor
mid to high: 17" or larger color monitor with .28 or better dot pitch
Network Adapter
low end: anything that works **
high end: 3Com Fast EtherLink (3C905B-TX)**
Modem (very important if you're going to connect from off-campus)
56K v.90 modem
The school also offers cable modem ability.
Operating System
Windows 98-2000-Millineum or NT 5.0
Apple G3 or G4 Processor
400MHz or Faster
Memory
128 MB RAM or more
Hard Drive
6 GB or larger hard disk
CD-ROM Drive
24X CD-ROM included
Zip Drive (great idea for graphic majors)
External or Internal USB Zip Drive
Video Card
low end-6 MB VRAM
high end- 16-32 MB VRAM
Monitor
low-end 15" or larger Color Monitor
high-end 17" or larger Color Monitor
Network Adapter
10/100 Base Tx Ethernet
Modem (very important if you're going to connect from off campus)
56K v.90 modem
The school also offers cable modem service.
Operating System
MacOS 8.5 or Later
*Remember, price figures change buy month and per place. Always do some homework and shop around before making your final purchase.
**There are hundreds of low-cost ethernet network cards. Some surplus
stores even sell them for $10! We highly suggest getting one of these. It will save
you about $100 off of the high-end models.
Software
We suggest Office 97 or 2000 This package provides you with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database applications. It is an
expensive suite, but it's your best chance for compatibility.
Art and Media Studies majors should consider owning a copy of Adobe Photoshop 5.5.
Responses: Refresh frame to view latest entries.
Name: jenn Comments:
If you fail to get an ethernet cord from the university don't get one from the bookstore. I went through a lot of trouble getting my connection to work all because I had a bad cord. The guys from the computer help desk who helped me said that 1 out of every 2 ethernet cords from the bookstore don't work.
Comments:
i found my ethernet card at a computer show for $17. too bad my roommate paid $60 at the bookstore for a slower one.
Name: jeff Comments:
Good point about the ethernet cards. Do not go the RU Bookstore for computer supplies. They stink there and cost $65 more than they should.
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