Resources & Services: Computing
Computer Purchase Tips
Windows PC or Mac?
It depends... Here are some things to consider:
- What do your colleagues use? When you are figuring out how to do something new on the computer, it's helpful to have folks around who have the same kind.
- Will your important applications work? AutoCAD, for example, won't run on Macs unless you use software so that the Mac can run Windows. A Windows license for a Mac would be an added expense, making the Mac option a relatively costly way to run Windows applications.
- What makes you happy? Some folks strongly prefer Macs over Windows (or vice versa). Since you're the one who's going to be using the thing, be sure to get something you'll be happy with (assuming it'll run your applications...).
Both Macs and Windows PCs will work just fine at the UW. And while CAUP Computing does not have the resources to provide extensive support for personally-owned computers, we do have expertise with both platforms.
Desktop or Laptop?
Unless you have a compelling reason to choose a desktop computer, you'll probably find that a laptop is much more useful. Being able to carry the thing from home to studio to library to coffee shop gives you access to your computing environment wherever you happen to be. Since wired networking (and, increasingly, wireless) is widely available on campus, you'll easily be able to get to your network-based resources.
What Features?
- CPU - Get a dual-core processor with a spead of at least 2GHz. However, unless you really need it, don't buy the fastest one offered - you'll pay a significant premium for it. Buy the second- or third-fastest.
- Memory (RAM) - It's best to get at least 2GB. More is better, although Windows computers running the standard versions of XP and Vista cannot use more than about 3GB, so don't buy more than 3GB for a Windows computer.
- Disk - A disk in the 120GB to 160GB range will be fine for most work.
- Video - Be sure to get a video accelerator / video card with at least 128MB of video memory (RAM). 256MB is better, since it will improve rendering and other 3D operations. Video performance will be somewhat better if the video memory is not shared with the computer's system memory, so if you have a choice, choose separate video and system memory.
- Screen - If you're buying a desktop, bigger is almost always better - don't get less than a 19" monitor. With a laptop, it's a tradeoff - large screens are significantly more expensive, and make the laptop much heavier. They also use a lot of battery power. But you can't get as much information on small screens. Laptop screens in the 14" - 15" range are generally a good compromise. Note that nearly all laptops have external monitor connectors, so you can always connect a large monitor if you find that you need one. Please note that if you buy a Mac and intend to use an external monitor or projector, it would be prudent to buy the appropriate video adapter. Mac external monitor connectors are not compatible with most projectors and non-Apple monitors.
- Wireless - If you buy a laptop, be sure it has wireless capability. This is usually built in to the laptop itself, but it can be a wireless card that plugs into a slot in the laptop. Be aware that there are different wireless standards: 802.11b is most common, 802.11g is significantly faster (where a compatible signal is available) and is compatible with 802.11b. 802.11n is the latest and greatest, but is not yet widely available. The UW is currently supporting 802.11g.
- LAN (Wired Network) - Whether you buy a laptop or a desktop, be sure it has a wired Ethernet network connection. The connector for this (type RJ-45) will look like a telephone jack, but bigger.
- DVD - Be sure to get a DVD burner, ideally one that can write all the standard DVD formats (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW). DVD burners will also be able to write the standard CD formats, CD-R and CD-RW.
- Security Cable - It would also be prudent to buy a security cable, particularly for a laptop. That way, you'll be able to secure your computer to a table or desk, reducing the risk of theft.
- Accessories
- A jump drive with a capacity of at least 2GB would be useful for transferring files - much easier than burning CDs. Get a 4GB jump drive if you expect to have lots of large files.
- To back up your computer's hard drive (and as another option for transferring files), it would be prudent to buy an external hard disk drive with a capacity that's at least as large as the hard drive on your computer. Be sure to get one that can connect via USB, since not all Windows PCs have Firewire ports.
- If you're doing graphics work, you might find a Wacom tablet to be better (and easier on your hand and wrist) than a mouse
OK, But What Should I Buy?
If you want to run AutoCAD (or some other application that only runs on Windows computers), it's easiest to buy a Windows PC. Although it is possible to run Windows programs on a Macintosh, using either Parallels Desktop or Bootcamp.
We've had very good luck with the Dell laptops and desktops. Their Latitude laptop and Optiplex desktop lines are more rugged, while their Inspiron laptop and Dimension desktop lines are a little cheaper for a given level of performance. Special academic pricing is available for these, either through the University Bookstore or direct from Dell. Click here to learn about Dell pricing for personal purchases.
If you would prefer a Mac, special academic pricing is available through the University Bookstore's Apple Computers in Education (ACE) program. The MacBook Pro laptop line is generally more powerful, while the MacBook is generally cheaper. The ACE program also offers Apple's Mac Pro line of desktop computers. Click here to view the Bookstore's Apple program information. If you would like to run Windows programs on a Mac, be sure to investigate Parallels Desktop and Bootcamp.