Listed below are the current PC and Laptop purchasing recommendations for computers that will connect to the W. P. Carey School of Business network.  The tables identify the minimum machine components which provide a potential two year life span with regular upgrades, as well as the recommended machine components which provide a potential three year life span with regular upgrades.  The W. P. Carey School of Business maintains an aggressive, forward-thinking stance on Information Technology in order to adequately serve the needs of tomorrow's business leaders.

(NB:  Any computing purchase should include a 3 year, on-site parts and labor warranty package.)

PC Desktops/ Workstations
	MINIMUM	RECOMMENDED
(1) PROCESSOR:	Intel Pentium 4, 1.8 GHz	Intel Pentium 4, 2.4 GHz +
(2) RAM:	256 MB	512 MB
(3) HARD DRIVE:	40 GB	60-80 GB
(4) DISK DRIVES:	Floppy (3 1/2"), CD-RW	Floppy (3 1/2"), DVD/ CD-RW Combo Drive
(5) OPTIONAL DEVICES:	250 MB Zip, internal sound card and speakers	250 MB Zip, Sound Blaster sound card and external speakers
(6) MONITOR:	19" CRT	17" + Flat Panel
(7) VIDEO MEMORY:	16 MB	32-64 MB
(8) NETWORK CARD:	Onboard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet (WOL)	Onboard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet (WOL)
(9) OPERATING SYSTEM:	Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional	Microsoft Windows  XP Professional
(10) INTENDED USE:	Designed with routine computer applications in mind: word processing, data entry, internet, email, and basic desktop publishing.  Potential two year life span with upgrades.	Designed with processor intensive applications in mind:  data analysis, programming and/or web development, and advanced communications.  Potential three year life span with upgrades.
Laptops/Notebooks
	MINIMUM	RECOMMENDED
(1, 11) PROCESSOR:	Intel Pentium 3, 1.2 MHz	Intel Pentium 4, 2.2 GHz +
(2) RAM:	256 MB	512 MB +
(3, 12) HARD DRIVE:	20 GB	40 GB +
(13) DISK DRIVES:	Floppy (3 1/2"), CD-RW	Floppy (3 1/2"), DVD/ CD-RW Combo Drive
(5, 14) OPTIONAL DEVICES:	250 MB Zip, secondary battery	250 MB Zip, secondary battery, docking station w/ external mouse, keyboard, and monitor
(15) MONITOR SIZE:	12-15"	12-15"
(7) VIDEO MEMORY:	16 MB	32-64 MB
(8, 16) NETWORKCARD:	Integrated 10/100 Mbps Ethernet with 56Kbs modem, pcmcia wireless card	Integrated 10/100 Mbps Ethernet with 56Kbs modem and wireless card
(17) WIRELESS STANDARD:	802.11b	802.11b or 802.11g
(9) OPERATING SYSTEM:	Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional	Microsoft Windows  XP Professional
(18) CASES	Nylon	Leather
(10) INTENDED USE:	Designed with routine computer applications in mind: word processing, data entry, internet, email, and basic desktop publishing.  Potential two year life span with upgrades.	Designed with processor intensive applications in mind:  data analysis, programming and/or web development, and advanced communications.  Potential three year life span with upgrades.

W. P. Carey School of Business Goal
The W. P. Carey School of Business recognizes the need to standardize computing hardware and software in order to stabilize the network, increase Help Desk efficiency, and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (reducing the cost and resources needed for IT support will lead to more monies for other needs in the school).  By following the hardware recommendations above, you are assisting BIT, BITSOC, and the Deans in accomplishing these goals.

In addition, the W. P. Carey School of Business has established a strong partnership with IBM, making Big Blue our preferred vendor for the school.  Click the company icon below to custom configure your PC for one of the following base models.  Models not on this list have either not been field-tested for our network or have demonstrated disruptive incompatibilities and are therefore not recommended nor supported.  Please contact the Help Desk (480-965-9737) for assistance with quotes and configurations.

Notes:

(1) - Processors are identified by manufacturer, type, and speed in  Gigahertz (GHz).  Intel Celeron, AMD, or Cyrix products are not recommended.
(2)   Random Access Memory (RAM), or system memory,  is measured in Megabytes (MB).  Note that PCs have few slots for adding memory modules, therefore purchasing the least number of modules with the most memory per module is recommended, e.g. buying one 128 MB module instead of two 64 MB modules on a system with only three slots allows for greater flexibility in future memory upgrades. 
(3)   Hard Drives are listed in terms of data capacity, or Gigabytes (GB).
(4)   Superdisk, or LS120 floppies, are no longer recommended due to incompatibility issues.
(5)   Internal Zip drives are less costly than external Zips.  Sound cards vary by vendor and model.
(6)   Monitors are listed as either Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), or Flat-Panel monitors.  Screen size is measured diagonally within the visible area (not the surrounding case).
(7)   Video Cards vary by manufacturer and no specific model is recommended.  Video Memory is measured in Megabytes (MB) and is separate from system memory.
(8)   Network Cards are measured by data throughput speed in Megabits per second (Mbps).  The W. P. Carey School of Business ethernet network operates at 100 Mbs.  Wake On LAN (WOL) is required for Help Desk support software.
(9)   The school does not currently support Macintosh or Unix operating systems on its network.
(10)   Based on average computing needs and usage patterns throughout the school.
(11)   Processor speeds for laptops are generally slower than workstation speeds due to space constraints and heat concerns.
(12)   Laptop Hard Drive sizes are generally smaller than workstation sizes due to space constraints.
(13)   Laptops generally have only one or two modular bays available for drives and may need to be swapped during use.
(14)   Modular (Ultrabay, etc.) Zip drives are available for most laptop models.
(15)   Laptop monitor sizes are measured diagonally within the visible area (not the surrounding lid).
(16)   Laptop Wireless Cards are either integrated into the case or consist of PCMCIA expansion cards inserted into the side of the laptop.  The W. P. Carey School of Business wireless network operates at 10 Mbs (shared) and should only be used as a supplement to the ethernet (wired) network.  Presently, wireless nodes are available in only a few places in the BA and BAC buildings.
(17)   802.11a wireless technology is not compatible with the College's network applications.  However, the upcoming 802.11g standard is backward compatible with 802.11b and may be purchased.  
(18)  Laptop cases are often specific to model (due to size) and include briefcase designs as well as backpacks.