Hardware Recommendations
for New Purchases: Desktop Systems
Desktop systems for administrative and general faculty use should meet the following minimum configuration.
However, the purchase of a computer system for developing multimedia courses may require additional components, software and specialized equipment. Information regarding this type of equipment is available to faculty through the Instructional Resource Center (IRC).
ITU fully supports standalone Apple computers (hardware and software) and Apple computers with Ethernet connectivity to the Mason network and Internet.
The following are
the recommended and supported manufacturers and models for administrative
and general faculty systems:
Desktop
Systems Manufacturers & Models -
Systems
& Prices
- Dell - Current models
- Gateway - Current models
- Apple - Current models
Only the above recommended system manufacturers and models will receive Premier Support. Systems that do not appear on the Desktop Systems Manufacturers & Models list above are considered Non-Supported. ITU will make the final determination whether it can, or cannot, satisfy the request for service.
Minimum Configuration for New Desktop Systems
-
Windows
- 2-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 2-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor
- 2 GB of system memory
- Windows Aero-capable graphics card
- 80-GB hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space (the 15GB of free space provides room for temporary file storage during the install or upgrade.)
- DVD/CDRW combo
- Internet access capability
- Audio output capability
- 17 inch Flat Screen
- Windows XP Pro
- 5-year hardware warranty or maximum available
- Do Not purchase Microsoft Office products. The University currently has a site license for these products.
- Additional add-on
components may not be supported, check "Limited Support" link
for details.
Note: A Windows Aero-capable graphics card is a graphics card that meets the following requirements:
- Video card should have at least 256 MB of RAM to support a Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) driver
- Has a DirectX 9-class graphics processor unit (GPU) that supports Pixel Shader 2.0
- Supports 32 bits per pixel
- Passes the
Windows Aero acceptance test in the Windows Driver Kit (WDK)
Apple Systems - Any currently offered Apple product.
- 512 Mb RAM
- Current hard drive
- DVD/CDRW combo drive
- 17-inch SVGA monitor
- Network Card (10/100-RJ45 connector)
- Mac OS 10.2
- 3-year hardware warranty (APP)
- Apple Maintenance Program for operating systems (AMP)
- Do Not purchase Microsoft Office products. The University currently has a site license for these products.
