If you are planning to buy a computer, you may be overwhelmed by all the terminology and choices. The Office of Information Technology provides advice to students, faculty, and staff on how to make personal purchases of computers and software that will be of best value for their expected use.


Overview
Adelphi recommends Apple or Dell computers for optimal compatibility with the University's network. Those manufacturers generally use name-brand components and offer reliable customer support as well as warranties.

Please note that Adelphi's computer labs utilize Apple and Dell computers, supporting the following operating systems:

• Apple OS X 10.4 Tiger
• Microsoft Windows XP SP2

We encourage you to do your own research if you are interested in other brands, but please keep our system requirements in mind when purchasing a computer that you will use to connect to the Adelphi network.

For most students, a laptop (Windows or Mac) with wireless connection capabilities and Microsoft Office should meet your needs. For those who need to produce more sophisticated multimedia content, we recommend using an Apple Macintosh. Apple’s computers come with a variety of basic video, audio, and photo editing tools. The newest models from Apple are Intel-based, meaning that they are now capable of running Windows XP, in addition to Mac OS X.


System Requirements
Generally, if you are buying a new computer, the IT department recommends the following minimum hardware requirements for a basic system:

Desktop Computer
PC System Configuration:

• Operating system: Windows XP SP2
• Processor: 1.5 GHz or higher
• RAM: 512MB or higher
• Hard disk: 60GB
• Modem and/or Ethernet card
• Optical drive: CD-RW or DVD drive

Apple Macintosh System Configuration:

• Operating system: Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther), 10.4 (Tiger), or 10.5 (Leopard)
• Processor: 1.5 GHz or higher
• RAM: 512MB or higher
• Hard disk: 60GB
• Modem and/or Ethernet card
• Optical drive: CD-RW or DVD drive

New name-brand computers often come bundled together with software, or deals are often available that include adding Microsoft Office as part of the purchase.

Laptop Computer
Laptops should meet the following minimum specifications:

• Operating System:
  • Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther), 10.4 (Tiger), or 10.5 (Leopard)
  • Windows XP SP2
• Microsoft Office
• Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g/n)
• RAM: 512MB (we recommend 1GB for standard use and 2GB for multimedia applications such as video editing and scientific modeling)

If you plan to purchase a new Mac laptop, the Apple MacBook will be sufficient for most students. The Apple MacBook Pro is recommended only for students interested in editing professional video or audio on their laptops. Professional industry editing applications like Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer require an independent video card that is included in the MacBook Pro.

Printers
Printing is available in the computing labs on campus, at a set amount for each semester. Some students prefer the convenience of having a personal printer. Both Apple and Dell offer printer options with their systems, often at promotional pricing. If you are buying a Mac and decide to buy a printer from a vendor other than Apple, check the printer specifications to make sure it will work with your specific version of Mac OS X.

Cables are not always included. Ask your printer vendor which cable you need. There are several different types and they are not interchangeable.


Find more information about buying a computer, such as desktops vs. laptops, available discounts, what software you might need, in the Frequently Asked Questions section.