Cabrini College - Information Technology & Resources
Summer/Fall 2011: Computer Q&A
Below are general recommended specifications for students making new computer purchases. The recommended specifications are designed for a computer to last through a standard undergraduate career at Cabrini College.
We also strongly encourage the purchase of 3 year warranty with the laptop, and also encourage including accidental damage coverage.
New Laptop Computer
PC/Windows
Operating System - Windows 7
Processor/CPU - 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 or greater
Memory/RAM - 4 GB - 8 GB or greater
Hard Drive - 320 GB or greater
Wireless - 802.11 B/G/N Card
Other Drives - DVD/CD-RW
Apple/Mac - 13" or 15" MacBook Pro (for all students except for Graphic Design majors)
Operating System - Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
Processor/CPU - 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 or greater
Memory/RAM - 4GB - 8 GB or greater
Hard Drive - 320 GB or greater
Other Drives - SuperDrive 8x (CD/DVD/RW)
Apple/Mac - 15" or 17" Mac Book Pro (for Graphic Design majors)
Operating System - Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
Processor/CPU - 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory/RAM - 4GB - 8 GB or greater
Hard Drive - 500 GB or greater
Other Drives - SuperDrive 8x (CD/DVD/RW)
**Please note that the Mac Book Air is not supported.
New Desktop Computer
PC/Windows
Operating System - Windows 7
Processor/CPU - 2.6 GHz Intel Core i5 or greater
Memory/RAM - 4 GB - 8 GB or greater
Hard Drive - 500 GB or greater
Other Drives - DVD/CD-RW
Apple/Mac
Operating System - Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
Processor/CPU - 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel or greater
Memory/RAM - 3GB - 8 GB or greater
Hard Drive - 1 TB or greater
Other Drives - SuperDrive 18x (CD/DVD/RW)
1. Must I have my own personal computer?
- While Cabrini College provides a number of computers in public access areas, their availability can be limited; they are intended to supplement your computer rather than replace it. The ability to access a computer to complete work at any time of day or night is essential to keeping pace with many of the individual courses and academic programs here at Cabrini College.
2. If I already own a computer, do I need to purchase a second or new one?
- Maybe. Should you already own a computer that meets or exceeds the "Personal Computer" specifications listed
above, you may choose to delay a new purchase at this time. It is likely, however, that you will need a more powerful new machine, comparable to those Cabrini recommends, at some time during your course of study.
3. How will I use my computer while I am at Cabrini?
- You will use your computer as both a labor-saving device and a tool for exploring ideas. You will use it to write reports and presentations, to record and analyze data, simulate lecture demonstrations and laboratory experiments, retrieve bibliographic and Internet information, and much, much more.
4. What computer should I buy?
- Students are free to purchase either a Windows- or a Macintosh-based computer,
laptop or Desktop. In most cases the choice is yours, but in some academic
disciplines the standard usage of an industry (e.g., graphic design) may
indicate a particular choice, so you may want to check with your major
department.
5. Will I be required to bring my computer to class?
- Cabrini College doesn't require students to bring a computer to class. If you need to use a computer during class time, your instructor will schedule your class in a room equipped with computers. However, if you own or decide to purchase a laptop computer you may want to bring it to class to take notes and work on assignments. All classrooms and lecture halls are currently wireless.
6. Would a laptop be a better purchase?
- Laptop or Notebook computers make it easy to work anywhere, and offer benefits not present with a desktop. They save space in your dorm room and are easy to put away. You will also be able to access Cabrini's
wireless network while on campus if you have a laptop. Keep in mind that because laptops are portable, there are risks associated with owning a laptop that do not exist with desktops.
8. What software will I need; Does Cabrini provide any software to students?
- ITR, in conjunction with Microsoft, is able to offer students discounted software through a Student Select AICUP (Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania) agreement with JourneyEd. To purchase Microsoft software at an educational discount please go to http://www.journeyed.com/select. The ONLY free software ITR offers to students is the latest version of Symantec Antivirus.
9. How will I use the Internet?
- Many Cabrini College courses make extensive use of the Internet to facilitate communication between students and faculty, to register for classes and obtain grades, for research, education and personal use. To aid this, Cabrini College expects that all students will be able to access the Internet. How you do so depends on whether you live on campus in a college-maintained space, or off campus.
10. What computer brands does Cabrini recommend?
- Dell, Lenovo and Apple are among the many vendors that sell computers meeting Cabrini College's requirements. Cabrini prefers that you purchase these brands because you can depend on the quality of the goods and after-sale service that they offer. The higher-education contacts below offer special discounts for back-to-school purchases.
11. I've seen ads for low-priced and nearly free computers,
such as netbooks. Why should I buy the systems Cabrini recommends?
- The suggested systems have been configured to meet the standard of quality necessary for use throughout the Cabrini campus. Among other things, this means they are fast, have sufficient memory and storage space, and are capable of running the high
-quality software used on campus. The same basic systems chassis could be configured with less memory and storage space, slower processors, and poorer quality monitors, with a correspondingly lower price. Very often, the prices you see advertised are for machines with fewer features. For the most part, machines with comparable features have comparable prices. You should find that the systems recommended here will have better prices than comparable systems advertised in the newspaper because of discounts that have been made available, where possible, to Cabrini. There are many offers for free computers with the purchase of internet service. While on the surface this seems attractive, many of these companies have gone bankrupt and offer substandard, non-supported computer systems.
12 .Do I have to buy my computer from one of these vendors?
- No, you do not. You may purchase your computer from any vendor. Those brands listed above are only recommendations.
13. Should I get an extended repair warranty for my new computer?
- Yes, most computers sold today have the option to extend the manufacturer's hardware warranty. It is best to purchase this extended warranty when you are buying the computer system. Some computer vendors will not allow you to purchase an extended repair warranty after you have purchased the equipment. Some extended warranties offered are "on site" coverage and some are "carry in" hardware repair warranties. Before you buy the extended repair service contract check to make sure that there are computer repair companies near your residence that will honor the service contract once purchased. Cabrini College recommends The Computer Fixer computer repair or service. The Computer Fixer's phone number is 215-387-5900.
14. Shall I buy a computer now so I can get used to it before classes begin?
- We encourage all students to familiarize themselves with their computers prior to the start of classes. Buying the computer system early will give you a head start on your academic studies.
15. Do I need a printer?
- The college provides a limited number of printers, which you may use on campus. However, Cabrini College recommends that students purchase their own printers to ensure access at any time. Please note that we do not support wireless printers
for security reasons. A good-quality printer can be purchased for about $100. Cabrini College's best experience has been printers from Lexmark, Hewlett-Packard, Canon, and Epson. Dell, Gateway and Apple can sell you a printer when you buy your computer. Please see Cabrini College's Printing Policy for more information.
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