Purchasing a Desktop or Notebook Computer
with University Funds
The university provides faculty and staff who need a computer to perform their work with a standard Microsoft Windows desktop system. CPIT configures each system with a standard set of software, including Microsoft Office, Internet tools and antivirus, and installs the computer in the work space.
Departments that need an extra desktop computer or a notebook computer may purchase it from departmental funds.
This page describes the configuration requirements for these systems, and recommends specific systems to purchase. (Note: this page provides information about university department computer purchases, not personal use purchases.)
If you are purchasing a computer with university funds and believe that you need a different configuration, please contact the Computer Information Center so that CPIT can meet with you to discuss your needs.
Important!
Please check this page each time before you purchase a computer. Specifications are subject to change.
Desktop Computer
In order to maintain full compatibility with the standard desktop system currently being deployed at the university, you must purchase the same model and configuration when you need an extra computer for your academic or your department's office work.
Important!
There is no need to purchase Microsoft Office or antivirus software, as CUA provides these for its desktop machines. (See next item.)
When you receive your desktop computer (Windows or Mac OS X), please contact the Computer Information Center to arrange for CPIT to configure your computer for university use before installing it in your work space.
Required Desktop - Windows
The current standard Microsoft Windows desktop system is the Dell Optiplex 755. Choose the following configuration when purchasing this system.
Dell Optiplex 755
| For this... |
...choose this |
| System |
OptiPlex 755 Minitower |
| Processor |
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6550 (2.33GHz, 4M, 1333MHz FSB) |
| Operating System(s) |
Windows XP Professional, SP2, x32, with Media, English |
| File System |
NTFS File System for all Operating Systems |
| Memory |
2.0GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM, 667MHz, (2DIMM) |
| Video Card |
Integrated Video, Intel GMA3100 |
| Monitors |
Dell 19 inch 1908FP Flat Panel |
| Keyboard |
Dell USB Keyboard, No Hot Keys, English, Black |
| Mouse |
Dell USB 2-Button Optical Mouse with Scroll, Black |
| Mouse Pad |
Mouse Pad |
| Boot Hard Drives |
80GB SATA 3.0Gb/s and 8MB DataBurst Cache |
| Floppy Drive and Media Card Reader Options |
No Floppy Drive |
| Speakers |
Internal Dell Business Audio Speaker |
| Removable Media Storage |
48X32 CDRW/DVD Combo with Cyberlink software |
| Recovery media |
No Resource CD |
| Hardware Support Services |
3 Year Limited Warranty plus 3 Year NBD On-Site |
| Installation Support Services |
No Onsite System Setup |
Important!
- Do not deviate substantially from the standard configuration, as doing so may mean that CPIT cannot support your computer. I.e., do not choose models other than the Optiplex 755 with Intel Core 2 Duo processor.
- Be sure to include the 3 year hardware support option.
Recommended Desktop - Mac OS X
| For this... |
...choose this |
| System |
iMac 20-inch |
| Processor |
2.0Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo |
| Operating System |
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard |
| Memory |
2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB |
| Graphics |
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory |
| Display |
20" widescreen LCD |
| Hard drive |
250GB Serial ATA |
| Optical drive |
SuperDrive |
| Wireless |
AirPort Extreme |
| Hardware Support |
AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac |
Important!
- Be sure to include the AppleCare Protection Plan.
Notebook computer
You should choose a computer from the vendor's business line of notebooks, not the consumer line. E.g., Dell Latitude, not Dell Inspiron; Toshiba Tecra, not Satellite.
Important!
- Do not purchase a notebook computer with Microsoft Windows XP Home, Windows Media Center, Windows Vista Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium operating systems. These are not compatible with campus Microsoft networking. Purchase Windows XP Professional with SP2 or Windows Vista Business or Ultimate (but see next item).
- If the notebook computer needs to join the CUA domain (e.g., it is a desktop replacement or it is frequently used on campus to access network shares and networked printers), it must run Windows XP Professional, not Windows Vista. Windows Vista is not yet supported for domain use on the campus network.
- There is no need to purchase Microsoft Office or antivirus software, as CUA provides these for its notebook computers. (See next item.)
- When you receive your notebook computer (Windows or Mac OS X), please contact the Computer Information Center to arrange for CPIT to configure your computer for use at the university before you begin to use it.
Required Configuration
Any notebook computer purchased with university funds must adhere to the following specifications.
| For this... |
...choose this |
| Memory |
at least 2.0GB |
| Graphics |
at least 128MB graphics memory (shared is okay) |
| Wireless LAN |
802.11g |
| Recovery media |
driver CD |
| Hardware Support |
at least 3 year economy plan (mail-in or NBD onsite) |
| Operating Systems |
Windows XP Professional with SP2 (or Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard) for campus network use; Windows Vista Business is okay if the computer is used only remotely |
Recommended Notebooks - Windows
CPIT highly recommends that you purchase one of the following two notebook computers unless you have unique academic research needs. Be sure to specify the appropriate configuration options, as indicated below.
Basic Notebook: Toshiba Tecra A9-S9013X
| For this... |
...choose this |
| System |
Toshiba Tecra A9-S9019X |
| Processor |
Intel Core2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz)
|
| Operating System |
Windows XP Professional, SP2 |
| Memory |
2.0GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM |
| Display |
15.4" Diagonal Widescreen WXGA |
| Graphics |
Intel Graphic Media Accelerator X3100 |
| Hard Drive |
160GB 5400rpm SATA |
| Optical Drive |
DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) |
| Wireless |
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965 AGN (802.11a/g/n) and Bluetooth |
| Hardware Support |
Toshiba 2nd/3rd Year Extended Service Plan |
| Carrying Cases |
Toshiba 5-Pocket Ballistic Nylon Carrying Case |
Workhorse Notebook: Dell Latitude D630
| For this... |
...choose this |
| System |
Dell Latitude D630 |
| Processor |
Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.00GHz) |
| Display |
14.1" Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD Panel |
| Memory |
2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS |
| Internal Keyboard |
Internal English Keyboard |
| Hard Drives |
80GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM |
| Graphics |
Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Touchpad Options |
Standard Touchpad |
| Floppy Drive |
No Floppy Drive |
| Operating Systems |
Windows XP Professional, SP2, with media |
| AC Adapter |
65W A/C Adapter Energy Star Enabled |
| Optical Drive |
8X DVD+/-RW w/Roxio and Cyberlink software |
| Wireless LAN (802.11) |
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card |
| Batteries |
6 Cell Primary Battery |
| File System |
NTFS File System for all Operating Systems |
| Recovery media |
Resource CD - Contains Diagnostics and Drivers |
| Hardware Support |
3 Year Limited Warranty plus 3 Year NBD On-Site |
| Carrying Cases |
Large Nylon Carrying Case |
Recommended Notebooks - Mac OS X
CUA departments may purchase Apple notebooks for faculty or staff that prefer them.
To obtain a quotation for an Apple notebook, browse to the Apple web site, select the Education link, and then the Education Store link. Select the "College or university proposal" link. CUA has a custom Apple store.
Basic Notebook: Apple MacBook
| For this... |
...choose this |
| System |
MacBook |
| Processor |
2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo |
| Display |
13.3" glossy widescreen |
| Memory |
2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB |
| Hard drive |
120GB Serial ATA 5400 rpm |
| Optical drive |
Combo drive |
| Wireless |
AirPort Extreme Card & Bluetooth |
| Hardware Support |
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook/iBook |
Workhorse Notebook: Apple MacBook Pro
| For this... |
...choose this |
| System |
MacBook Pro |
| Processor |
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo |
| Display |
15.4" glossy widescreen |
| Memory |
2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB |
| Graphics |
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB |
| Hard drive |
120GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm |
| Optical drive |
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) |
| Hardware Support |
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro |
Important!
- Be sure to include the AppleCare Protection Plan.
Last Revised 28-Mar-08 09:31 AM.
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