Student Computing Home > Bringing a Computer > Consolidated List of Recommendations

Consolidated List of Recommendations

Below are consolidated lists of the recommendations for both PC and Mac, and for each computer type within these two categories, for the 2008/2009 school year. These are minimum recommendations and are given with a price-performance ratio in mind and are, to the best of our ability and knowledge, reasonably robust configurations.

Because technology changes rapidly and manufacturers offer computers with many different configurations, you may not be able to find a system with the exact specifications that are listed below, we suggest the computer that you purchase either meet or exceed these minimum recommendations.

For more details about each recommendation see the Specific Recommendations page.

PC	Desktop	Laptop	Tablet
Operating System	Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista Home Premium - Vista Ready: See About Vista	Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista Home Premium - Vista Ready: See About Vista	Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista Home Premium - Vista Ready: See About Vista
Processor and Speed	Pentium Intel Core 2 Duo Chip E6400 2.4 GHz	Pentium-M, Intel Core 2 Duo Chip T7250 2.33 GHz	Pentium-M, Intel Core 2 Duo Chip T7250 2.33 GHz
Hard Drive Space	250 GB	120 GB	120 GB
RAM	2 GB	2 GB	2 GB
Video RAM	128 MB (not shared with system memory), Vista 256 MB	128 MB (not shared with system memory), Vista 256 MB	128 MB (not shared with system memory), Vista 256 MB
Monitor	LCD display
Removable Media
Large Storage:	DVD writer	DVD writer	DVD writer
Small Storage:	USB 2.0 drive	USB 2.0 drive	USB 2.0 drive
Mouse	Optical
Printer	Recommended	Recommended	Recommended
Network Connection
Wireless*:	Ethernet Card 802.11b or g (optional)	Ethernet Card 802.11b or g	Ethernet Card 802.11b or g
Wired:	Ethernet Card 10/100BaseT (RJ-45) and CAT-5 Cable (25')	Ethernet Card 10/100BaseT (RJ-45) and CAT-5 Cable (7' and 25')	Ethernet Card 10/100BaseT (RJ-45) and CAT-5 Cable (7' and 25')
UPS	Recommended	Not needed	Not needed
Surge Suppressor	UL Rating of 1449 for 330 volts - 800 joule suppression - with 25' cable While we are not making specific recommendations about any of these vendors, we have found surge protectors with 25 ft. cables at these web sites: http://www.national-tech.com/specs/51w1-08225.htm http://www.amazon.com/Surge-Protector-Outlet-Modem-cord/dp/B000I996OY http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=3484 http://www.powersquid.com/power-outlet-multiplier-w-25-ft-power-cable-p-192.html
Accidental Damage Protection		Recommended	Recommended
Extended Warranty	Recommended	Recommended	Recommended
Extra Battery	Not needed	Recommended	Recommended
Security Cable	Recommended - combination lock	Recommended - combination lock	Recommended - combination lock
Software	Microsoft Office - The University Bookstore sells Microsoft Office to UMW students at Academic pricing. Antivirus - Virus protection is required for students who connect to the UMW network. Norton Antivirus will be provided for students (free of charge) once students get to campus. Clean Access - Cisco's Clean Access is required for student owned computers to connect to the campus network.; this software will be provided when students arrive on campus. Spyware - Please install a spyware application, such as AdAware, on your computer, and utilize it regularly.

* In order to manage the campus network and ensure reliability, integrity, and interoperability, students and departments at UMW are not permitted to install their own wireless infrastructure. Prohibiting installation of personal wireless infrastructure also helps ensures the integrity and appropriateness of the campus "radio space" in terms of wireless networking.

Return to Top

Mac	Desktop	Laptop
Operating System	OS X	OS X
Processor and Speed	2.0 GH Intel Core Duo	2.0 GHz
Hard Drive Space	250 GB	120 GB
RAM	2 GB	2 GB
Video RAM	128 MB (not shared with system memory)	128 MB (not shared with system memory)
Monitor	LCD display
Removable Media
Large Storage:	SuperDrive	SuperDrive
Small Storage:	USB 2.0 drive	USB 2.0 drive
Mouse	Optical
Printer	Recommended	Recommended
Network Connection
Wireless*:	AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth	AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth
Wired:	Ethernet Card 10/100BaseT (RJ-45) and CAT-5 Cable (25')	Ethernet Card 10/100BaseT (RJ-45) and CAT-5 Cable (7' and 25')
Video Card	ATI Radeon X1600	ATI Mobility Radeon 9550
UPS	Recommended	Not needed
Surge Suppressor	Recommended (25' cable)	Recommended (25' cable)
Accidental Damage Protection		Recommended
Extended Warranty	Recommended	Recommended
Extra Battery	Not needed	Recommended
Security Cable	Recommended	Recommended
Software	Microsoft Office - The University Bookstore sells Microsoft Office to UMW students at Academic pricing. Antivirus - Virus protection is required for students who connect to the UMW network. Norton Antivirus will be provided for students (free of charge) once students get to campus. Clean Access - Cisco's Clean Access is required for student owned computers to connect to the campus network.; this software will be provided when students arrive on campus.

Return to Top

Buying a COmputer

The University partners with several vendors who provide discounts to UMW students when they purchase computers that meet our specifications. This partnership is managed through the University bookstore. For more information, see the University Bookstore's website.