From the KnowledgeBase

Title:
Computers: What should I buy? What are the minimum requirements?

Synopsis:
OIT Computer Recommendations

Solution:
What type of computer should I buy? What are the minimum requirements?

Student Purchases

For students, the Student Computer Initiative (SCI) is a program designed to provide Princeton students with aggressively priced, highly capable computers to facilitate academic work. The program is open to all enrolled Princeton students. If you are going to bring a computer to campus, we strongly recommend that you buy an SCI computer.

University Departmental Purchases

Princeton University has established standards for computers purchased and used for University business. The Desktop Systems Council (DeSC) recommends specific computer configurations for use in departments. Selection of these configurations includes the considerations listed below. The purchase of non-standard computers is not recommended for these reasons. A decision to purchase a computer that is not consistent with the established standards needs to recognize the additional support issues of the computer.

  • Network compatibility
  • Standard hardware components
  • Software applications
  • On-site service
  • Extended warranty
  • “Premier” internal and external technical support

Departments make computer purchases directly through the University's Financial System. A select group of recommended bundles are available for departmental ordering. The bundles appear as "kits."

Faculty and Staff Personal Purchases

When comparing prices, the following are things that may add value (and cost) to the purchase: warranty, processor speed, memory, monitor and hard drive size, operating system, and "bundled" software. Standard warranties are one year but some are extended a second or even third year. Although processor speed is important, often times additional memory is more important. OIT recommends at least 512MB, and believes 1GB is highly desirable. Choice of monitor (size and type) are a personal choice. Most hard drives are adequate in size for typical home use. Microsoft Vista Ultimate is the operating system recommended for any new computer purchases. More information on Vista at Princeton can be found at:
http://www.princeton.edu/vista

Please note that the above recommendations are suggested specifications for personal computer purchases. Larger hard drives, more memory, and faster processors extend the expected life-span of your purchase. Preferred vendors are Apple Computer and Dell Computer.

Last Updated:
October 30, 2009

Solution ID:
8389