Student Computer Initiative

Purchasing a Computer

The Student Computer Initiative offers several venues from which to purchase computers at discounted educational prices.

Before purchasing a computer, please review the recommended system configurations on this page.

Dell Computers

The Dell purchasing program offers discounted educational prices.

Visit the CUA page at Dell.com

Apple Computers

Apple computers may be purchased at educational prices through the CUA Bookstore located in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.

 CUA Bookstore Apple Flyer

Apple computers also may be purchased online through the CUA Apple Education Store.

Recommended System Configurations

Minimum Recommendations for Microsoft Windows Computers

Desktop. An example of a good mid-level desktop computer is one that has:

• Processor: Intel® Core 2 Duo or Quad 2.4Ghz processor, or Core i5/i7 2.66Ghz processor
• Memory: 4 GB DDR2 or DDR3 SDRAM minimum
• Video Card: 256MB PCI Express x16
• Hard Drive: 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 7200 RPM
• Optical Drive: 16X DVD+/-RW DL
• Display: 20 inch widescreen flat panel with minimum 1680x1050 resolution
• Communications: internal 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN card (consider adding an internal PCI or PCIe 802.11g/n wireless network card)
• Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate
• Productivity Software: Microsoft® Office® Home and Student 2007
• Other Software: Enhanced software for DVD writer

Notebook. Students can purchase a general-purpose notebook with the following specifications:

• Processor: Intel® Core 2 Duo 2.0Ghz
• Display: 15.4 inch WXGA LCD Panel
• Memory: 3 GB shared DDR2 or DDR3 SDRAM
• Hard Drive: 320GB Hard Drive
• Optical Drive: DVD+/-R DL
• Video Card: integrated media accelerator
• Communications: integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN
• Wireless: integrated wireless networking card 802.11g/n
• USB Ports: four USB 2.0
• Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate
• Productivity Software: Microsoft® Office® Home and Student 2007
• Other Software: Enhanced software for DVD writer

If, however, you are looking for more a more powerful notebook, or for those students who hope to make their notebook last for their entire four year track, we recommend that you include the following options:

• fast Intel® Core 2 Duo processor 2.4Ghz or higher
• 15.4 inch wide-aspect display: WXGA, WSXGA+ or WUXGA
• 4 GB DDR2 or DDR3 SDRAM memory (more is better)
• 250GB 7200 rpm hard drive or solid state disk
• 8x DVD+/-RW DL
• integrated dual band wireless antennae supporting 802.11g/n and Bluetooth®
• 256MB ATI® or NVIDIA® video card
• 8- or 9-cell extended life additional battery
• four-year extended warranty with accidental damage coverage

Minimum Recommendations for Apple Computers

Desktop. We recommend at least an Apple® iMac® 21.5" inch 3.06GHz Intel® Core 2 Duo with 4 GB memory and 1TB SATA hard drive running Mac OS™ X 10.6 Snow Leopard™, with AppleCare® Protection Plan.

Notebook. We recommend at least an Apple® MacBook™ 13 inch 2.26GHz Intel® Core™ 2 Duo with 4 GB memory and 250GB hard drive running Mac OS™ X 10.6 Snow Leopard™, with AppleCare® Protection Plan.