The nature of the computer equipment marketplace is that it changes rapidly. Because of this fact, we have provided below a general range of specifications which can be applied to specific brands and models--see Item 8 for vendor contacts. A new computer configured for current use would have:

 

For Windows & Macintosh --Intel Core 2 Duo or Pentium 4 at 1.67 - 3.2 GHz
RAM at minimum 1 GB – 2 GB recommended
Hard Drive 60 - 200 GB
DVD/CD combo drive or DVD/RW
10/100 Ethernet adapter
Wireless adapter for a laptop or tablet - 802.11a/b/g/n

Graphics Media Accelerator - Intel X3100 or greater

128 Mb DirectX10 Video card minimum
Windows XP Professional** or Windows Vista Home Premium / Mac OS X
Three year extended warranty with spill protection if available

Monitor size is a personal choice as are external speakers, printer, additional laptop battery, case, docking station and security cabling.

If you wish to bring to campus a computer you already own, here are some basic configuration specs to review:

Existing Personal Computer
Minimum  1.4GHz processor
RAM at 512 MB
40 - 60 GB Hard Drive
DVD/CD ROM Drive

Drexel IRT has recommended purchasing computers which are capable of running Windows Vista, but with XP installed on them since the University's plan for institutional computing is to stay with Windows XP for the foreseeable future.

However, students generally purchase consumer end computers, and those which are available with XP are usually end of life computers which will not support Windows Vista nor be adequate for a student's entire academic career.  Thus, many students are purchasing more robust computers which by default come with Windows Vista installed on them.  IRT is supporting student computers with Vista Home Premium or Vista Business installed on them.

Dell, Gateway, IBM, and Apple are among the many vendors that sell computers meeting Drexel's requirements. Drexel prefers that you purchase these brands because you can depend on the quality of the goods and after-sale service that they offer. The higher-education contacts below offer special discounts for back-to-school purchases.

Dell Computer (888) 987-3355
Dell Purchases for Drexel

Gateway (800) 211.4952, ext. 25910
Gateway Purchases for Drexel

Apple Computer (800) 780-5009
Apple Purchases for Drexel

IBM (Lenovo) (877) 222-6426, #1, ext. 6827
IBM Purchases for Drexel

Look at their Outlet section where companies sell previous models, clearance or refurbished computers for very low prices. They are all either brand new or factory refurbished to brand new condition.

Also lookout for incredible sales on all major bands of computers (pre-configured systems):

Amazon

BestBuy

Circuit City

E-Deal

If you are a computer enthusiast and would like to build your own custom computer from scratch, need extra peripherals or require replacement parts look no further for the best prices on all kinds of hardware:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/  

There are also huge sales during Thanksgiving and Memorial weekend!