Do You Need a Computer? | Do You Need a New Computer? | Which Computer To Buy?
Recommended Minimum Specifications for a New Computer Purchase
Recommended Vendors | Shipping your computer to UDel | Need software?
Need Advice? Visit the Technology Solutions Center
Do You Need a Computer?
If you are a student at the University of Delaware, you will use a computer. Every semester, over 98% of our students use computers: Word processing and e-mail are used by nearly everyone on campus. The curriculum in many fields allows students to use spreadsheet analysis, computer programming, or statistical analysis. Students use the World Wide Web for academic research, to look for summer jobs, to explore interests and hobbies, and to complete administrative tasks on campus.The majority of UD students bring their own computers to campus. In the 2000-2001 school year, over 98% of UD students found it worthwhile to have their own computers. About half also brought their own printers.
In addition, students have access to a large number of computing sites in academic buildings and residence halls. University computing sites are equipped with up-to-date hardware, software, and connections to the University campus network. However, the sites are crowded at peak times. Therefore, most students prefer to use their own computers for much of their work, using University computing sites for group projects and to check their e-mail, work on an assignment, or surf the Web between classes.
Those students who choose not to bring a computer should plan to use a friend's computer or a University computing site to complete those school projects and research assignments that require the use of a computer.
Do You Need a New Computer?
Every semester, faculty and students use programs that are more sophisticated than those used in previous semesters. These more sophisticated applications continually require faster computers, more memory, more disk space, and other resources. In general, the newer the computer, the better its owner will be able to take advantage of UD's award-winning network, Internet resources, and the latest computing applications. In the case of laptop computers, newer models are faster and lighter, in addition to offering better displays, more memory, and more disk storage.Whether you bring an old computer (Read more information about bringing an older computer to campus.) or a new computer, you should be sure that your computer can connect to our campus network, and from there, to the entire Internet. Make sure your computer has one of the following:
and optionally (though highly recommended):
- A 10Base-T Ethernet Card for high speed access to the campus network and the Internet from rooms in residence halls and many academic buildings;
- Any hardware required for a high-speed off campus connection (DSL, Cable, apartment complex T1 connection, etc.).
- A v.90 56K Modem for access to the campus network and the Internet from off-campus.
- A Wireless Networking Adapter (either PC Card or built-in) that conforms to the IEEE 802.11b/g standard. For further information, look at UnpluggeD, our wireless networking information pages
Plan For The Long Term
Students use several different strategies when they select a computer to bring to campus. Because the technology changes so rapidly, each of these options match different students' academic needs and financial situations. But all of these strategies share one thing in common: planning for the long-term.
- Some students buy a top-of-the-line model with an eye towards keeping the computer for their entire UD career.
- Some students use University computing sites their first year, waiting until their second year on campus to buy a computer.
- Some students bring an older computer to start, upgrading to a new computer during their second or third year at the University.
- Some students buy the basic version of the fastest computer they can afford, and add extra memory, a sound card and speakers, a DVD drive, a larger monitor, and/or a printer over time.
- Some students buy inexpensive computers their first year, planning to upgrade their entire systems during their career at the University.
Which Computer To Buy?
Before you purchase a system, we'd urge you to examine how you'd use that computer. Your work habits, possible fields of study, and interests should shape your decision.
- Decide between Apple Macintosh and Windows systems: Which platform matches your interests? In general, DOS/Windows systems are less expensive for similar processing speed. Macintoshes can be easier to set up, to learn, and to use.
- Decide whether a portable computer or a desktop computer is more appropriate for your work habits. Desktop computers are generally less expensive but require that you do your work in one location. Laptop computers allow students to compute on the go, connecting to the campus network from a growing number of network jacks in the Morris Library, classrooms, study areas, computing sites, and other locations.
If your courses, activities, and research involve a lot of travel or fieldwork, you may also find a portable computer to be a good investment.
- Decide on a budgeting strategy, but plan for the long term. You could buy a powerful computer now or buy an inexpensive computer now and plan to upgrade it later on. Some vendors even have leasing programs that allow you to upgrade your computer every 2-3 years.
- Budget for software as well as hardware. Word processing and spreadsheet software can be purchased with most systems; however, you may also need other software for communications, graphics, and specialized projects. See the section below on software purchasing options.
Be aware that unauthorized copying of licensed software is illegal.
- Prepare your computer to connect to our campus network and the Internet.
If you are planning on buying a computer to use for the next three or more years, we would recommend that the computer you select meet the following minimum specifications:
Desktop: Windows PC
Desktop: Macintosh
Intel Core 2 Duo, 1.83 GHz Processor
iMac, 2 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium,
Business or UltimateMac OS X Tiger 10.4.X
Microsoft Office 2007 Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 1 GB of RAM
1 GB of RAM
120 GB Hard Disk
120 GB Hard Disk
17" Flat-Panel Display
17" Integrated Display
8X DVD+/-RW Drive
8X DVD+/-RW Drive
101-key keyboard
Apple USB Keyboard
Microsoft or Logitech Mouse
Apple Mighty Mouse
Sound card & powered speakers
Built-in 16-bit sound, speakers
10/100Base-T Ethernet adapter & 25' CAT-5 network cable
[sometmes called "patch cable or station cable"]25' CAT-5 network cable
[sometmes called "patch cable or station cable"]Highly-Recommended Accessories: USB Inkjet Printer, USB A to B Cable
USB Flash Memory Drive ("usb key" or "thumb drive"), Surge Supressor.
Notebook: Windows PC
Notebook: Macintosh
Intel Core Duo, 1.66 GHz Processor
MacBook, 2 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium,
Business or UltimateMac OS X Tiger 10.4.X
Microsoft Office 2007 Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 1 GB MB of RAM
1 GB of RAM
80 GB Hard Disk
80 GB Hard Disk
14" or 15" Widescreen Active Matrix Display
13.3" Widescreen TFT Display
6X DVD+/-RW Drive
6X DVD+/-RW Drive
Integrated 802.11g/n Wireless Network Adapter
Integrated 802.11g/n Wireless Network Adapter
10/100Base-T Ethernet adapter & 25' CAT-5 network cable
[sometmes called "patch cable or station cable"]25' CAT-5 network cable [sometmes called "patch cable or station cable"]
Highly-Recommended Accessories: USB Inkjet Printer, USB A to B Cable,
USB Flash Memory Drive ("usb key" or "thumb drive"),
Surge Supressor, Carrying Case.
The University of Delaware has special academic pricing agreements with the following vendors:
Clicking on the vendor logos below will open pages in new windows with recommended configurations,
detailed specifications, ordering information and pricing.
The Apple and Microsoft/CampusEstore sites below require an activated UDelNet ID
to access pricing and info and/or to place orders.
If you order your system by late July, most vendors can ship the computer to the University in time for you to pick it up during move-in days. See our page on shipment to Delaware for details.
Bringing a less-capable computer to campus? Check to be sure that that system meets our minimum specifications for supporting an older computer.
Does my College, School or Department Have Specific Computing Requirements or Recommendations?
The following Colleges, Schools & Departments have hardware & software recommendations and/or requirements for their studemts. Clicking on the links below will open new windows with detailed information:How Do I Purchase Software?
The University of Delaware participates in the Microsoft Student, Staff & Faculty Select Program & Adobe Contractual Licensing Program under which we can offer selected Microsoft and Adobe titles to qualified students, staff & faculty at a substantial savings over street & mail order prices, academic retail pricing or even add-on pricing supplied by our agreements with the computer system vendors above. Click on the campusestore.com logo in the vendor links section above to link to a special campus EStore where you can order these products online.
For software other than the Microsoft & Adobe products available under the programs described above, the University Bookstore has an agreement with JourneyEd.com in which qualified students, staff and faculty can obtain academic discounts on other popular software titles. Click on any of the links in this section to open a new window where you can get info, browse and order products.
The Apple Store for Education has Apple-branded and third-party software & peripherals available for purchase in their online store. The Dell Online Store has links to their Accessory Store where they have Dell-branded and third-party software & peripherals available for purchase. Likewise, our Gateway Select Pages has Gateway-branded and third-party software & peripherals available for purchase in the Accessory section of the site.
Need Advice? Visit the Technology Solutions Center
You do not have to make these decisions alone. Take advantage of the help available at the Technology Solutions Center (TSC). TSC staff are not salespeople, but University student and professional staff members whose job is to help you decide what computer products are best suited for your specific needs.TSC consultants are prepared to give you information and advice on hardware, software, and accessories that will fit your needs. You can study literature and brochures provided by vendors, get "hands-on" experience with any of the systems & periperhals on display from Apple, Dell, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, and other vendors.
The TSC is located in room 002B, in the lower level of Smith Hall, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can call the TSC at (302) 831-8895.
