Computer Recommendations

Windows Computer Users

Computers with Intel Duel Core, Pentium or Celeron or equivalent processors running Windows XP are the most common computers used on campus today.  However, Windows Vista will begin appearing this year.

The hardware suggestions listed here describe a desktop or laptop computer running Windows XP or Vista that meets the college's recommendation, one that will provide the basic functionality necessary for you to benefit from Daemen College's available software packages. Depending on your course of studies, these specifications should address your needs for two or more years.

Functionality
Your computer should be able (at minimum) to run the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, Microsoft Office 2003 Professional, a Web browser, e-mail client and Norton AntiVirus software. You will often need to run more than one application concurrently. For example, you may be writing an assignment using a word processor while using your Internet browser to access materials from a library’s digitized collection or an instructor’s Web site. You may also be using your CD player or using Apple iTunes or Windows Media Player to tune out distractions.

Your computer must be able to store large files and required software on its hard drive, store materials on a flash drive, and have a suitable sound system. A CDRW drive, one that can both read and write a CD, is highly recommended. You should have a printer that at minimum prints 14 pages per minute (ppm) in draft mode (black only).  If you are residing on campus, your computer should have an approved high-speed network interface card (or integrated network interface) capable of accessing a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet network or one can be purchased from the college during the first week of school. Nearly every new computer sold today will have this.  If you are living off campus, your computer should have a cable modem, DSL connection, or dial-up modem connection to the campus. A hardware firewall or Intrusion Detection Software (IDS) is strongly recommended.

Specifications
These specifications are based on current usage at Daemen College and other colleges and universities in the area. They encompass most computers running Windows purchased within the last year and minimally equipped computers sold new today. You can significantly improve the performance and the useful life of your computer by configuring it at a higher level. The best added value is additional memory (1 GB or greater). You might also consider a faster processor (2 GHz or faster), a larger capacity hard drive (100-160 GB) and increasing video memory (128 MB or more). If sound quality is important, consider ordering a 24-bit sound card and quality headphones or externally powered speakers. Some quality features are more difficult to recognize and are best addressed by purchasing a professional grade computer from an established manufacturer.

Macintosh Computer Users

The hardware specifications listed here describe an Apple desktop or laptop computer that meets the college's recommendation, one that will provide the basic functionality necessary for you to benefit from Daemen College's available software packages. Depending on your course of studies, these specifications should address your needs for two or more years.

Functionality
Apple computers should be able to run (at minimum) Apple’s 10.3 operating system (OS 10.4 is recommended), Microsoft Office Mac 2004 for Macintosh, a Web browser and an e-mail client. You will often need to run more than one application concurrently. For example, you may be writing an assignment using a word processor while analyzing data using Excel, or composing a presentation using PowerPoint. You may also be using your CD player to retrieve images to insert in your document.

Your computer must be able to store large files and required software on its hard drive, store materials on a flash drive, and have a suitable sound system. A CDRW drive, one that can both read and write a CD, is highly recommended. You should have a printer that at minimum prints 14 pages per minute (ppm) in draft mode (black only). If you are residing on campus, your computer should have an approved high-speed network interface card (or integrated network interface) capable of accessing a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet network.  Every new Mac sold today will have this.  A hardware firewall or Intrusion Detection Software (IDS) is suggested. If you are living off campus, your computer should have a cable modem, DSL connection, or dial-up modem connection to the campus.

Specifications
These specifications are based on current usage at the college. They encompass most Apple Core Duo, and G5 desktops, iMacs, MacBook Pros and MacBooks purchased within the last year and minimally equipped Apple computers sold new today. You can significantly improve the performance of your computer and significantly increase its useful life, by configuring it at a higher level. The best added value is additional memory (1 GB or greater). You might also consider a faster processor (2 GHz or faster), a larger capacity hard drive (100-160 GB) and increasing video memory (128 MB or more). If sound quality is important, consider a good set of headphones or externally powered speakers.