PC systems

Computing Services buys and recommends Dell computer systems. In addition many people have had good luck with Apple, Gateway , Hewlett Packard and Compaq systems.
 
We suggest that if you are purchasing a new system, look at machines with a Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon based system with at least 256 megs of RAM, (1 gig is highly recommended) and a minimum of a 40 Gig Hard Disk.
 
Flash Drives Flash Drives are what we recommend for students and Faculty alike to purchase and use as portable data storage. Flash drives are also called pen drives, usb drives, or thumb drives. These drive have a lot of advantages over zip disks, floppy disks, CD Rom Disk, and DVD disks. These advantage are: the easy of deleting and adding items like a floppy or zip disks but the storage space greater then a CD Rom and DVD Roms. The highest compasity of the flash drives now are up to 8 gigabytes of storage space. The range we recommend is a 1 gig flash drive ranging in price from $47 to $100. At these prices we believe most people can get one and they are useful to have.
 
DVD Writers DVD Writers have become very popular, and the cost of DVD recordable media is about $.50 per disk if purchased in bulk.
 
Modems, Dialing in to Adams State and Internet Service Providers (ISP)</strong><br> If you plan on dialing in to Adams State or another Internet Service Provider (ISP) you should also purchase a 56K modem. Adams State provides access to students, Faculty and Staff on a limited basic. Users are allowed a maximum of 1 hour a day. If you need more connect time consider using a local ISP. There are several local ISPs Amigo.net, Blanca Telephone Company's Fone.net and Vanion Inc.www.vanion.com to name a few. Some larger ISPs do have local access numbers, but you should check with them before purchasing their services. Otherwise you will spend extra money on long distance phone calls.
 
Monitors A 17 inch monitor is considered standard on most systems with the prices on 19 inch monitors coming down. Many systems have flat screen (LCD) monitors which look excellent, save desk space and are coming down in price.
 
Video Cards Most video cards will be fine for standard office automation (MS-Office etc.) but for playing games video cards like;
 
High-end Video Card LIke the Nvidia GeForce 7800GTX. High end card, great gaming capabilities but true expensive. Also remember this card is the best right now, this will change shortly as new technology comes out. but the prices for one of these cards range from $440 - $800.
 
Budget Video Card Chaintech SE 6600 256 MB video card. This is a great card and easy on the wallet. Will play most games on the market today.
 
Do Everything Videocard Sapphire Radeon X800Pro. This is a nice card and can do the VIVO that gives you the ability to pull video into your computer.
 
Network Cards Some systems especially the Dells have the option of a built in network card. If you plan on living in one of the dorms that have network connections, Coronado, Girault and Connor Halls, you will need a network card. All computers you buy now come with the network port on the main board of the computer.
 
Notebooks Computing Services uses and recommends Dell and Sony VIVO laptops. Laptops can be very handy, being able to take them to class etc. Generally they are more expensive than an equivalent desktop system. Also I would consider the problem of them being easily stolen.
 
Security Consider hardware products like Kryptonite's KryptoVault ($79.95), Kryptonite's Cable lock, Kensington Lock's MicroSaver ($74.99), and Secure-It's Kablit, X-Lock and iBook cable locks ($29.95 each) or Vanguard II, which attaches to the 9-pin adapter on the back of the PC ($39.95) - can tether the laptop to any immovable object. The Targus DEFCON 1 Notebook Computer Security System ($49.99) motion sensor alarm transmits a 45-second 110 dB audible alarm whenever the cable is severed or the unit is moved. With the Trackit key chain transmitter ($49.95), the laptop owner can monitor the computer from up to 40 feet away. Get separated from your case, and a 110 dB siren sounds.

Student Technology Home