|
 |
|
Recommendations for Computer Purchases
|
Contents
- Introduction
- Recommended computer system components
Introduction
The following information is provided for Pathfinder 201 students who are considering
the purchase of a personal computer.
Owning a personal computer is not a requirement for this course. PCs
in the Earth and Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory (EPRSL) will be available for use by
Pathfinder students (see How To Use Computers For This Course).
However, there are about 15 students in the class and 6 student PCs in the
laboratory. Students with their own computers will have the advantage of working from
their dorm rooms or elsewhere, without having to wait for a turn in the lab.
Here are some guidelines for purchasing a system that will be compatible with the
personal computers used in the EPRSL for Pathfinder 201 and 202. For more information contact
Tom Stein (314-935-5744, stein@wunder.wustl.edu)
who works in the EPRSL.
Recommended computer system components
Following are baseline computer system recommendations for the student
entering the university this fall. The price of a computer pales in comparison
with tuition and housing costs. Nevertheless, most consider a computer purchase
as a five-year investment and the components chosen should reflect that
thinking. It is interesting to note that the system outlined below is 20 times
faster than the "top-of-the-line" model of five years ago.
| CPU |
2.0 GHz or higher |
| Memory |
1GB RAM or higher |
| Display |
17-inch monitor |
| Graphics card |
accelerated w/32 MB or more |
| Hard drive |
80 GB or more |
| Multimedia |
CD read/write / DVD ready/writ drive, 16-bit wave audio, powered speakers |
| Operating system |
Windows XP Professional |
| Network |
10/100/1000 twisted pair Ethernet support |
| Software |
Microsoft Office XP (Standard Edition) |
|
- PC vs. Mac
- At Washington U., most students have PCs and there is much more support
for PCs than Macs on campus. If you wish to run the Pathfinder 201 modeling
software on your computer you will need a PC or a Mac that emulates a
PC.
- Processor (CPU) type and clock speed
- A 2.0-GHz CPU is satisfactory, but the
faster the better. With increased speed comes increased price.
- Memory, usually referred to as RAM
-
The more the merrier! Recommended 1 GB. With todays
fast Pentium CPUs, adding extra memory can be a
better choice than getting the fastest CPU.
- Monitor size
-
A 17-inch monitor is strongly recommended, but a 15-inch will work, too. Just
like TVs, computer displays are typically smaller than advertised. A 17-inch monitor is
usually about 15.9 inches, a 15-inch monitor is 13.9 inches, and a 14-inch monitor may
only be 12.9 inches!
- Graphics card memory
-
The more memory you have on the graphics card, the more colors
and higher resolution the computer will display. Minimum recommended is 128 MB,
but get 256 MB if
you can.
- Hard drive
-
There is a computer truth that says, "the data expand to fill the
space." In other words, no matter how big the drive is, it will never be enough.
Recommendation: at least 80 GB (gigabyte). IDE-type hard drives are
much cheaper than SCSI-type hard drives, but SCSI drives can be bigger and
faster..
- CD read/write drive / DVD
-
Must have. CD write-once disks are an inexpensive backup option
and an easy way to take your files with you to another computer. Although most
DVD drives on campus are used for watching movies on the computer, data DVDs are
becoming more common. Since you plan to use this computer for at least four
years, make a DVD burner/drive part of it.
-
- Audio/multimedia configuration
-
Most, but not all systems are configured with audio. This is a fairly inexpensive
add-on. Be sure to specify powered speakers. The term "powered speakers" just
means that the speakers have an A/C adapter and can be plugged in. Some cheap speakers run
only on batteries. Plus, powered speakers are shielded magnetically so they dont
affect the rest of the computer. Recommendation: 16-bit wave sound with powered speakers.
-
- Operating system
-
Most new computers come with an operating system, but make sure. Windows
XP Professional is highly recommended. The campus
computing centers provide great support and are geared more towards Windows than
anything else. Linux is not recommended for a personal computer.
- Network
-
All of the dorm rooms are wired so that your computer can be networked
to the rest of the campus and the outside world. To connect, you will need a network card
that supports 100-BASE-TX Ethernet.
- Printer
-
There are printers in most of the dorms, but if you would like one
closer, consider the Epson Color Stylus or HP DeskJet models. Warning about all inkjet printers: if the page gets wet, the ink tends
to smear.
- Software
-
For most of your computing needs, Microsoft Office XP should do the
trick. This includes Word (word processor), Excel (spreadsheet), PowerPoint (presentation)
and Outlook (personal information manager). The "professional" edition of
Office also includes Access (database). Unless its bundled with your computer, you
should wait to buy this at the campus computer store at a 50-75% educational discount.
- Laptops
-
If you can afford a laptop, great! Laptop/notebook computers are
typically twice the price of an equally-equipped desktop machine.
- A final word
- Computers are available from a variety of sources. I recommend purchasing
from a vendor whose main business is computers. We suggest purchasing
an onsite replacement from the vendor for 4 years. We also suggest
purchasing a locking cable for a laptop. What seems like a great deal
is often reflected in inferior components and poor service. I will gladly
discuss our experience with specific vendors at your request. You can
contact me, Tom Stein, via phone or e-mail (314-935-5744, stein@wunder.wustl.edu).