To connect to the domain, access share drives and other functions you MUST HAVE a version of Windows Professional or Enterprise. Such as Windows 7 Enterprise. Our Microsoft site license for OSs is for upgrades of existing Windows licenses only. You must order your computer with a copy of Windows to use our upgrade license.

We advise the purchase of a Surge Protector (UL 1449 approved, 330V rating) for all non-mission critical computer systems.

We recommend the purchase of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) for all mission critical computer systems. American Power Conversion (APC) is a leading brand of UPS's. Since the size of a UPS for your needs depends on your equipment and how long you want to keep it up after power goes out here is a link to APCs UPS selector. You can take the model information recommended and contact any of our State Contract suppliers.

The University has a site license antivirus program, so you do not have to buy an anti virus program.

Retail version of desktops may be purchased if they meet the published minimum specs, but we recommend buying off state contract from Dell or HP and you have to get a minimum of 3 years warranty according to state guidelines. The UCC will assist with Dell and HP warranties but the customer is responsible for all other vendors.

Retail version of laptops may be purchased if they meet the published minimum specs and we insist on the 3 year warranty, but we recommend buying it off state contract from Dell and HP. You have to get a minimum of 3 years warranty according to state guidelines. The UCC will assist with Dell and HP warranties but the customer is responsible for all other vendors. All notebooks and desktop computers are required to be on the domain and have virus protection.

PC Desktops:

• Intel Core i5 or equivalent
• 8 GB Memory
• 250GB SATA, HDD
• Intel vPro Technology
• TPM chip
• DVD +/-RW
• 1 gigabit Ethernet card
• 3 yr limited warranty
• Microsoft Windows 7 Professional with NTFS
• 19" WXGA Digital Flat Panel LCD flat panel display
• Optical mouse
• Surge suppressor or UPS
• All procurements should be guaranteed MS Windows 7 ready.

PC Laptops

• Intel Core i5 or equivalent
• 12 or 14.1” WXGA LCD
• 8 GB Memory
• 160GB SATA
• Intel vPro Technology
• TPM chip
• DVD +/- RW
• 1 gigabit Ethernet card
• 802.11 N Ready
• 3 yr limited warranty
• Carrying Case
• All procurements should be guaranteed MS Windows 7 ready.

Apple Desktops

• 21.5 or 27 inch all-in-one iMac for desktops
• Intel Core i5
• 8 GB Memory
• 256 MB discrete video
• Surge suppressor or UPS
• 3 yr limited warranty
• Apple's do not come with a Microsoft Windows license. If you wish to run Windows on a Apple you must purchase a separate Windows license.

Apple Laptops

• 15 inch MacBook Pro
• Intel Core i5
• 8 GB Memory
• SATA HD
• 256 MB discrete video
• Wireless 802.11 N Ready
• 3 yr limited warranty
• Carrying Case
• Apple's do not come with a Microsoft Windows license. If you wish to run Windows on a Apple you must purchase a separate Windows license.

Linux, UNIX, or Sun desktops

• Intel Core i5 or equivalent
• 8 GB Memory
• 160GB SATA, HDD
• Intel vPro Technology
• TPM chip
• DVD +/-RW
• 1 gigabit Ethernet card
• 3 yr limited warranty
• Microsoft Windows 7 Professional with NTFS
• 19" WXGA Digital Flat Panel LCD flat panel display
• Optical mouse
• Surge suppressor or UPS
• All procurements should be guaranteed MS Windows 7 ready.
• Machines purchased with out a Windows COA do not come with a Microsoft Windows license. If you wish to run Windows you must purchase a separate Windows license.

Linux, UNIX, or Sun Laptops

• Intel Core i5 or equivalent
• 14.1” WXGA LCD
• 4 GB Memory
• 160GB SATA
• Intel vPro Technology
• TPM chip
• DVD +/- RW
• 1 gigabit Ethernet card
• 802.11 N Ready
• 3 yr limited warranty
• Carrying Case
• All procurements should be guaranteed MS Windows 7 ready.
• Machines purchased with out a Windows COA do not come with a Microsoft Windows license. If you wish to run Windows you must purchase a separate Windows license.

Netbook

Netbooks are small portable computing device, similar to a notebook, and are great for surfing the Web and checking e-mail. What differentiates a netbook from a notebook is its physical size and computing power. A netbook typically has a small display, ranging from 7 to 10 inches. It weighs under 3 pounds, and support a keyboard that is reduced in size from 75 to 80 percent when compared to a standard keyboard. Netbooks have build-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB ports and slots for flash memory cards. To keep the devices small and compact, netbooks do not have a CD or DVD drive, and most use solid-state disks (SSD) for storage. Netbooks commonly run Linux or Windows XP Home edition operating systems. Prices for netbooks range from $200 to $350 USD.

Laptop/Notebook computer

An extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a briefcase. Aside from size and portability, the principal difference between a notebook computer and a personal computer is the display screen. Notebook computers use a variety of techniques, known as flat-panel technologies, to produce a lightweight and non-bulky display screen. The quality of notebook display screens varies considerably. Many notebook display screens are limited to VGA resolution. Active-matrix screens produce very sharp images, but they do not refresh as rapidly as full-size monitors. In terms of computing power, modern notebook computers are nearly equivalent to personal computers. They have the same CPUs, memory capacity, and disk drives. However, all this power in a small package is expensive. Notebook computers come with battery packs that enable you to run them without plugging them in. However, the batteries need to be recharged every few hours.

SSD (Solid State Disk)

A solid-state drive (SSD) is similar to a flash drive in that it contains spinning parts or disk such as a HD (Hard Disk).  They are generally faster than a standard HD to access data.  While they do have a maximum number of writes to them for common usage this is over 3 years.   

Additional Notes

All netbooks and tablets are “home versions” and cannot be upgraded to the professional version or use our MS site license. F/S should be completely aware of the university’s policy on data protection and should not access sensitive data on these devices.

If you purchase a phone, we recommend getting a device with built-in support for Microsoft Exchange. Phones with Active Sync are encouraged.

Peripherals such as Palm/Pocket PC devices/Ipads, digital cameras, and graphic tablets receive limited support. End-users assume responsibility for learning how to operate and install these devices.

Sound cards are standard on nearly every computer, but you cannot hear the audio from your computer without speakers. In many cases, they must be purchased at an additional cost.

Many HP products (scanners, printers) require cables that must be purchased separately.

CD-ROMs can only read CDs. If you need to create CDs, you must purchase a CD-RW drive. Since CD-RW drives can read and write CDs, you will rarely need to purchase separate CD-ROM and CD-RW drives on the same computer system. DVD-RW drives can read and write DVDs and CDs. DVD drives can read CDs and DVDs. If you need to create DVDs, you must purchase a DVD-R or DVD+R drive. A CD-RW/DVD-R or a CD-RW/DVD+R drive can read and write both CDs and DVDs.

We strongly advise the purchase of a Surge Protector (UL 1449 approved, 330V rating).

We recommend the purchase of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) for all "mission critical" computer systems. American Power Conversion (APC) is a leading brand of UPS's.