Technical Requirements
If you are purchasing a new computer, the guidelines below should help you. 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. UNC has negotiated an agreement with IBM for the purchase of Laptop and Desktop computers at a discounted price, with bundled software and support. Laptops are handy if you need to take your computer to different places, but they are more expensive than desktop models and usually perform a bit slower.
Note: The purchase of a CCI laptop or equivalent computer is required for incoming Freshmen at UNC. It is not required of you; we are providing this information as an optional method for you to puchase a computer, either a laptop or desktop model.
Many good buying opportunities exist at major electronics stores such as Best Buy, Circuit City or Radio Shack or discount stores such as Costco or Staples. The School of Nursing does not recommend any particular source, but rather recommends that you watch your local newspapers for advertisements of special pricing on computers and computer accessories.
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 more expensive than desktop models and usually perform a bit slower.
- We strongly recommend that your 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 laptop.
- Memory (RAM): Buy as much as you can afford. In deciding whether to invest in a faster processor or more memory, opt for the memory. The absolute minimum is 256 meg RAM, however 512 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 and DVD is a useful addition if cost considerations allow you to include it.
- Monitor: If buying 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 Mac OS X are fine for new purchases.
- Software: A web browser like Mozilla or Internet Explorer, Symantec Antivirus, RealPlayer, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Flash.
- Sound: Your PC will need to have a sound card and either 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 computer 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.
- Internet Service Provider (ISP): See http://help.unc.edu/?id=143 for information on selecting an Internet Service Provider.
If you already own a PC with sound and a CD drive, and you are a regular Internet user for such endeavors as e-mail, online research or shopping, your PC will likely 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 e-mail to jan Blue at 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.
