Besides the minimum recommendations above it is recommended that you consider the following:
Check with Your College or School
- Check with your school or college to see if they have any special requirements or recommendations before purchasing.
Purchasing Computers and Software at Educational Prices
- Computers and software meeting these recommendations can be purchased at the Buffalo Chip, inside the CU Bookstore for an educational discount.
Used Computers
- Purchasing used computers
- Although OIT recommends you purchase a new computer, if you decide to purchase a used computer, please make sure that it meets the requirements on the IT Service Center supported hardware and software list. Also, you must make sure that you acquire the licenses for the operating system and software that is loaded on the system.
- Bringing a computer from home
- Please make sure that a computer brought from home meets the requirements on the IT Service Center supported hardware and software list.
64-bit Operating Systems
- Please note that some older applications and drivers might be incompatible with 64-bit operating systems.
Solid State Drives
- Solid State Drives offer superior performance but less capacity.
Tablets and High Portability Laptops
- The list above is not intended for tablets or high portability laptops. This list was developed for computers that will last three to four years, so that students can maximize their purchase.
Extras
- It is a good idea to get "accidental damage protection" when purchasing a laptop.
- If you're purchasing a laptop, you may want to purchase a monitor as well for high performance use.
- It is strongly encouraged that you backup your files to an external hard drive.