Health Care Systems: Suggested Hardware

Suggested Hardware

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If you already own a PC with sound and a CD drive, and you are a regular Internet user for email, online research, or shopping, it is likely your PC will be sufficient for your work at the School of Nursing.

If you would like to review your specific equipment with School of Nursing IT personnel, send email to jhblue@email.unc.edu and include the manufacturer and model, approximate date of purchase, and as much specific configuration information (such as memory and hard drive size) as you can provide.

Guidelines for New Computer Purchases

Consider purchasing either a desktop or laptop computer based upon your anticipated usage patterns. Laptops are handy if you need to take your computer to different places, but they are much more expensive than desktop models and are usually perform a bit slower.
We strongly recommend that you purchase a name brand computer rather than a store brand or bargain brand configuration.
Processor speed: Buy as fast as you can afford, aiming for a minimum of 1 GHz in a desktop or 800 MHz in a laptop.
Memory (RAM): Buy as much as you can afford. When
deciding whether to invest in a faster processor or more memory, opt for the memory. The absolute minimum is 128 meg RAM. However, 256 meg RAM is the practical minimum for good performance and adaptability to new software.
Hard Drive: 30-40 gigabytes is the recommended
minimum.
Other Storage: CD is required. CD-RW is highly
recommended (the RW allows you to save files onto a CD), and DVD-R is a useful addition if cost considerations allow you to include it (you can store much more data on a DVD than a CD).
Monitor: If you buy a desktop computer, either a 17-inch conventional monitor or a 15-inch flat panel monitor is recommended. In a laptop, buy as large a TFT screen as you can afford and be sure to try out the exact model that you are considering before you purchase it.
Operating System: Windows XP or Windows 2000 are both fine.
Sound: Your PC will need a sound card and internal or external speakers. The standard offerings in name brand configurations are generally sufficient.
Video Card: 8-16 meg video memory is recommended.
Digital Connectors: Your PC should have at least one USB port, preferably two.
Internet Connection: For dial-up connection to the Internet you will need a modem; a speed of 56 kb is recommended. If you plan to use a high-speed route to the Internet (for example, DSL or cable modem) you will need an Ethernet connection.

Sources for Computers

As students at UNC you are entitled to
purchase through the Carolina Computing Initiative (CCI), which offers advantageous pricing and continuous support for selected models of IBM equipment. Details on the CCI program can be found at the CCI Web site.

The purchase of a CCI laptop or equivalent computer is required for incoming Freshmen at UNC. It is not required for you; we are providing this information as an optional method for you to puchase a computer, either a laptop or desktop model.

Also, many good buying opportunities exist at stores such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, Costco, or Staples. The School of Nursing does not recommend any particular source but does recommend that you watch your local newspapers for advertisements of special pricing on computers and computer accessories.