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Computer Hardware: Purchasing a Computer

OTS is in the process of updating the minimum recommended computer specifications for Fall 2008. Please check back after May 16th.

Recommended Computer Specifications
Architecture Students: Recommended Upgrades
Educational Discounts

Recommended Computer Specifications:

IIT's Office of Technology Services (OTS) offers the following suggestions to help you select a computer that will support your academic goals.

To determine what kind of computer you will need, you should first consider what you will be doing with it. OTS highly recommends that you speak with your major department to find out what types of programs you will need to use on your computer and what their recommendations or requirements are.

Some questions to consider before purchasing a computer include: Are you going to use your machine primarily to write papers and access the Internet? Will you be programming? Doing multimedia work? Creating graphics, music or video? Burning CDs? DVDs? All of these questions should factor into your final decision. There are so many configurations of all types of computers (desktops and laptops) that the better you understand your own requirements, the better choice you'll make.

Recommended new computer specifications for the average student user using the computer for Internet access and word processing.

Component

PC

Macintosh

CPU

Desktop – Core 2 Duo 2.66 GHz or faster / Laptop – Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz or faster

1.83 GHz or faster / Intel Core 2 Duo

System RAM

2GB (For Windows Vista, recommend 2GB – 3GB)

2GB

Hard Drive

60GB - 80GB

60GB - 80GB

Removable Storage

DVD Drive (DVD+/-RW)

SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Monitor

CRT or Flat Panel with a minimum resolution of 1024x768 at a screen refresh rate of 75 Hz

17-inch widescreen LCD rate of 75 Hz

Video Card

128 MB Dedicated Memory Card

ATI Radeon X1600 128MB SDRAM

Operating System

Windows XP Professional with SP2

Mac OS X "Tiger" or latest version

Ethernet Card *

10/100 Base-T

10/100 Base-T

Wireless Network Card *

802.11 a/b/g

AirPort Extreme

Antivirus**

Antivirus software with online automatic updates

Antivirus software with online automatic updates

* Students living in SSV and MSV can use both Ethernet and Wireless Cards to access the network from their rooms. Students living in the Graduate Apartments have only wireless access to the IIT Network.

** OTS provides free McAfee Antivirus Software for PCs, which can be downloaded by clicking here. OTS is also working to obtain licensing for Macintosh Antivirus Software. Further information will be provided soon.

Recommended Upgrades for Architecture Students


The general computer specifications listed above are appropriate for most student computers. However, in addition to these specifications, OTS recommends the following upgrades for architecture students:

Component

Desktop / Laptop

System RAM

2 GB

Video Card

256 MB – 512 MB Dedicated Memory Card

OTS Recommended Vendors

Dell info:
Dell Computers has partnered with IIT's Office of Technology Services to offer a premier site for members of the IIT community. Click here to access the site. It allows members of the IIT community to work directly with Dell to configure and purchase home computing system at educational discounts. On the IIT Dell website you can select a preconfigured bundle, one of the bundles for Architecture Students or receive an IIT educational discount when you build your own system through the Full Catalog.

The site is for use by members of the IIT community only, and is accessible through the IIT domain. For more information please contact the Support Desk at ext. 73375 or go to http://support.iit.edu.

Apple info:
Click here for Apple Info and Price Discounts

 

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OTS Maintenance Schedule
Updated: May 06. 2008