College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.

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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. (Breaking News: if you can wait until fall-ish, you'll be able to get Windows 7 Pro for free - see the Microsoft Student Option page for details and program status.)
  • 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 CBE 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 both wired and wireless networking are 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 speed of at least 2GHz. The new Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors are becoming widely available (and affordable), and are noticeably faster. 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 3GB. More is better, although Windows computers running the 32-bit versions of XP and Windows 7 cannot use more than about 3GB, so don't buy more than 3GB for a Windows computer (unless you'll be running the 64-bit version of the operating system).
  • Disk - A disk in the 120G to 160GB range will be fine for most work, although more space wouldn't hurt. Try to get a disk with a 7200 RPM rotation rate. The more typical 5400 RPM disks are noticeably slower.
  • Video - If you're planning to do any significant graphics or video work, be sure to get a video accelerator / video card with at least 256MB of video memory (RAM). 512MB 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, you'll want to buy the appropriate video adapter. Mac external monitor connectors are generally 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 a relatively old (and slow) standard, which you'll see occasionally in older wireless installations. 802.11g is currently the most commonly used standard, is significantly faster than 801.11b, and is backward-compatible with 802.11b. 802.11n is the latest and greatest, and is rapidly becoming widely available. The UW is currently supporting all three standards.
  • 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 4GB would be useful for transferring files - much easier than burning CDs or DVDs. Get a larger capacity jump drive if you expect to have lots of large files. Folks lose these a lot, so you might think about how you'll make sure you don't leave yours in a lab or studio somewhere.
    • 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 or Macs 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 ArcGIS (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 Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or Bootcamp.

If you're interested in 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 iMac and Mac Pro lines 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, VMware Fusion, and Bootcamp.

On the Windows PC side, 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.

We've lately been buying HP laptops and desktops, which have also been fine (and are very reasonably priced). There are currently no special UW deals in place for personal purchases of HP computers, but they're widely available at good prices from retailers like Best Buy and Costco.

Note that the University Bookstore has great deals on hardware and software for students, faculty, and staff at the UW. If you're a new student starting in the fall, you can get the discount by taking your UW acceptance letter (along with some ID) with you when you visit the Bookstore.

Note also that the UW Student Technology Fee Committee has funded a new program that provides UW students with free access to most Microsoft software. Check the Microsoft Student Option page for details and program status.