• What type of computer system does ITU recommend?
• What should I ask for when buying a computer?
• Should I purchase a desktop, laptop or notebook computer?
• Should I consider purchasing any upgrades with my new computer?
• Who should I contact if I have questions about purchasing a computer?
• What about connecting to the George Mason network?
• How do I get connected to the George Mason network if I live on campus?
• Minimum Hardware Configurations

What should I ask for when buying a computer?
Before purchasing a PC desktop, Laptop/Notebook, or Macintosh computer, check with your department to see if their requirements exceed these minimum requirements. Please bear in mind that advances in technology occur rapidly. By the time you receive this recommendation, these minimum standards could be outdated. Our advice is to purchase the latest version of CPU technology available. The detailed specifications of George Mason University's minimum hardware configurations for PC and Macintosh appear in Minimum Hardware Configurations.

Should I purchase a desktop, laptop or notebook computer?
Students should examine their computing habits to determine whether a desktop, laptop, or notebook computer will best suit their needs. Laptop and notebook computers provide the student with a great amount of flexibility. Their size makes them suitable for carrying in a backpack or briefcase and they can be used virtually anywhere.

Should I consider purchasing any upgrades with my new computer?
Many upgrade options are available for computer systems. The following paragraphs provide a list of the common computer components, including an explanation of their use and impact. 

• RAM: In most newer operating systems, the amount of RAM has the largest influence on performance. Most systems advertise that the memory can be expanded; however, this may require that the existing memory be removed. In that case, your future upgrade costs will be affected. (This is especially common in laptops where there may be only one extra expansion slot.)
• Hard Drive: The amount of hard drive space required is dependent on the types of applications run. General productivity suites (Microsoft Office) can occupy anywhere from 60 to 100MB (or more) of space. Operating systems require up to about 120MB. Try to determine the space required by other applications and their associated data in estimating the minimum amount of disk space you will need. Purchasing a system that exceeds your current estimated needs by 25 - 30 percent should provide adequate room for expansion.
• Monitors: A larger monitor can be useful when running multiple applications or if considerable time is spent on the computer. More important, however, is the dot pitch and resolution as they affect the video quality. A dot pitch of .28dpi with 1024 x 768 resolution is fairly standard and should be adequate for most systems.
• Display for laptop/notebook systems: There are two main types of portable displays: active matrix and dualscan. While active matrix displays provide a sharper image and a wider visual area, they may cost more and consume more power than dualscan monitors. However, large amounts of time spent in front of the display, increases the desirability of an active matrix display. A display capable of 65,000 colors is useful for multimedia.
• Multimedia: Most home use desktop systems come equipped with multimedia capability. This usually includes a CD-ROM drive, speakers, and a sound card. The CD-ROM drive will allow you to use software on CD and, in most cases, play music CDs. Speakers may be built into your monitor or come as separate products that allow you to select the sound quality you desire. The sound card makes all of these elements work together to produce sound. A CD-ROM drive, and a SoundBlaster compatible card, are recommended. Speakers should be selected to reflect your own personal preference. Laptops can have CD-ROM drives that are internal or external to the machine. Both internal and external drives provide the same capability, therefore this is a choice that should be a matter of personal preference, affecting the use and weight of the laptop. Speakers and sound capability vary greatly among laptop manufacturers. If sound is important in your selection, request a demonstration of the specific model in which you are interested. 
  Also multimedia technology includes DVD and writable CD drives. The current use for DVD drives is to watch movies. CD writable drives are available in some computer labs on campus.
• Network Card: If you are a resident student and desire network connectivity to Mason and the Internet from your room, a network card is the preferred connection method. Additionally, some buildings on Campus have active network jacks that students can use if they have a system with the appropriate network hardware (Contact JC Technologies in Johnson Center rm. 311 for instructions). You will need a network card that is 10Base-T ethernet with RJ45 jack, and a CAT5 cable with RJ45 connectors of appropriate length. These cards come in different styles to match your computer type. Most new desktop systems will require a PCI style and laptops will most likely require a PCMCIA style card.
• Modem: If you are not a resident student and desire network connectivity to George Mason and the Internet, a modem is your only option. Desktops usually come with internal modems built in. If not, one can usually be added. If you have an existing computer without an internal modem, an external modem will work equally as well. A service agreement with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) will be required. Contact Patriot Computers for information on a local inexpensive ISP.
• Keyboard and Mouse for laptop/notebook: Although the keyboard/ mouse come built into laptop/notebook systems, ports for external keyboards and mice are helpful on portables since they allow use of full-size devices.
• Warranty: A three–year warranty is highly recommended. This may require the purchase of a warranty extension. Warranties can be on-site, depot, or carry-in. Depot (mail back) or carry-in will leave you without your computer while repairs are performed. On-site means the warranty provider will come to you. On-site is common for desktop models, but is rare for laptop/notebook models. Patriot Computers can provide Warranty service for Apple, Dell and Gateway.
• Drives, Ports and Docking Stations: A Windows computer should come with a 3.5" floppy drive and at least one available serial port. Windows desktops should also include a parallel or USB port. Many portables have optional docking stations, which provide an easy mechanism for attaching the computer to a full-size monitor and keyboard, add-on cards, or other devices. Docking stations allow you to retain portability while gaining some of the features of a desktop, but they tend to be expensive. An inexpensive solution offering some, but not all, of the advantages of a docking station is a port replicator. A port replicator is a device that attaches to the back of the notebook/laptop system and offers additional port accessibility.

What about connecting to the George Mason network?
Any computer purchased for use in a residence hall at George Mason University should be a network certified computer. Most major manufacturers of computer systems have two distinct product lines: one designed for home use, the other for use on a network.

In order to take advantage of George Mason University's high speed network while on campus, the computer you purchase must be designed for use on a network and be equipped with a 10Base-T Ethernet card with an RJ45 connector. There are two ways to connect to the GMU network: via Ethernet (residence halls, on campus only), and via modem (on or off campus) and an ISP.

How do I get connected to the George Mason network if I live on campus?
If you reside in a George Mason University residence hall, you can complete your own Ethernet installation without assistance from ITU or you can purchase service for installation, setup, and testing by a ITU technician.

If you choose to complete your own installation, you will need an appropriate 10Base-T Ethernet card with RJ45 connector, an RJ45 cable and software. For your convenience, these items can be purchased at Patriot Computers. If these connection components are purchased at Patriot Computers, you will receive written instructions to guide you through your system setup. These instructions will not work in all cases due to the wide variety of system setups. If you choose to attempt your own installation and are unsuccessful, technical support for your installation is available through Patriot Computers for a fee. 

If you purchase installation service from Patriot Computers, you will receive initial installation and setup of an Ethernet network card and its respective software. After initial installation, any system configuration changes, upgrades, or repairs that necessitate reinstallation or reconfiguration of the software will be at an additional charge. For more information on connecting to the George Mason University network from the residence halls, see the Get Wired section of the Student Technology Guide.

For additional information on computing services at George Mason University, visit the Guide to Information Technology Services.