Buying a new computer

Some things to think about before you buy...

Do you need a CDR-W for a patron computer in a library?
Do you want patrons "burning" CDs?
Will students need to burn CDs?
Do you need a CD burner on every student computer?
Do you need floppy drives (internal or USB external)? (Note: New computers don't "automatically" come with a floppy drive anymore.)
Is space an issue? Can you afford a flat panel display? Do you need or want speakers? Headphones?
Do users need to play DVDs? Write DVDs?
If you are buying a laptop what screen size and resolution are you looking for? If you will be using a projector with the laptop try matching the native resolution of the projector with the laptop? Should you get a wireless card for laptops? Is this a student or patron computer so do you need security software or hardware? (Learn more about securing computers...)

The computer you purchase for a teacher, student, library staff or library patron may differ in the components and therefore the cost...

Purchasing New Desktops and Laptops

Here are some general specification guidelines for new computers. You can also check out these websites for additional information.

PC Desktops

• Processor Speed: 2.33GHz, 4M, 1333MHz FSB
• RAM: 512 MB (minumum) What would be nice: 2.33GHz, 4M, 1333MHz FSB
• Hard Disk Size: 160 GB
• Display: 19" CRT or 17" Flat Panel LCD
• CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-R or DVD-ROM
• Floppy drive (now an optional item on some desktops)
• Ethernet/Network card: Broadcom®  5754 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Mac Desktops - Apple iMac

• Processor Speed: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• RAM: 2.0GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
• Hard Disk Size: 250GB Serial ATA
• Display: 15" , 17", 20", 23" - Flat panels
• Optional USB floppy
• CD-ROM, Combo Drives, or Super Drives
• Ethernet/Network card: Gigabit BASE-T

PC Laptops

• Processor Speed: 2.00GHz, 800MHz 4M L2 Cache
• RAM : 512 MB or better 2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 1 DIMM
• Hard Disk Size: 120GB Hard Drive 9.5MM 5400RPM
• Display: 20-inch widescreen flat-panel
• DVD Drive : SuperDrive 8x (DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)
• Wireless : Intel 3945 WLAN (802.11a/g) mini Card Latitude, Factory Install

Mac Laptops - Apple MacBook Pro

• Processor Speed: 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• RAM : 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM (2x1GB)
• Hard Disk Size: 120GB Serial ATA
• Display: 15-inch TFT glossy widescreen
• DVD-ROM :SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)
• Ethernet/Network card: Gigabit BASE-T
• Wireless : Built-in 54Mbps 802.11g and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR