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K-State encourages new students to bring a computer to college.
Computers are used for coursework, research, and communicating with instructors
and other students.
The university's high-speed data network allows access from residence-hall rooms, off-campus,
the K-State Student Union, the library, university computing labs, technology classrooms,
plus other locations equipped with wireless support.
To learn more about information technology resources at K-State:
New to IT at K-State
K-State's IT homepage
IT Index of services and resources
IT policies.
All K-Staters must comply with the university's policies.
If you bring a used computer
It should run at least Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2,
or Macintosh OS X, so it can meet basic security, networking, and upgrade requirements.
It should be supported by the manufacturer throughout the rest of your college career.
Be sure your system meets the security criteria listed
on the New to IT at K-State webpage.
Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, and older systems are not allowed to connect to K-State's network.
K-State recommendations
for student computer purchases
updated April 7, 2006
If you plan to purchase a computer, the following guidelines will help
select one that meets your needs for several years. These guidelines are updated each spring
and are also available in brochure format.
These guidelines are intended for freshman/sophomore levels. Since juniors/seniors and graduate students
may need advanced computing technology. Check the
specific college recommendations for your field of study.
Components
and factors |
MINIMUM recommendations when buying a new computer |
| PC |
Macintosh |
|
Software |
K-State's antivirus software is required
(via the CatPack
or download from antivirus.ksu.edu).
Anti-spyware/adware is recommended (via the CatPack).
Communications (e-mail, Internet access)
Basic office suite (word processing, database, spreadsheet)
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Operating system |
Windows XP Professional
Service Pack 2 |
Macintosh OS X |
Processor speed (CPU) |
Desktop: 3 GHz Pentium 4 or better
Laptop: 1.7 GHz Pentium M or better
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Desktop: 1.25 GHz or better
Laptop: 1.8 GHz or better
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Monitor and
video card
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Desktop:
17-inch color monitor, 4x AGP or PCI Express bus video card with 64MB video RAM
Laptop and Tablet PC:
12-inch or larger TFT display, 4x AGP bus video card with 64MB video RAM
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Desktop: 17-inch color monitor
Laptop: 15.4-inch color display
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Hard drive (HD)
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80 gigabytes or better
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80 gigabytes or better
|
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Memory (RAM) |
512 megabytes or better
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512 megabytes or better
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Removable storage drive(s) |
DVD drive
USB port
Optional: floppy, CD-RW,
and DVD-RW.
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Networking |
Desktop:
10/100/1000Base-TX network card
for on-campus, residence hall, and broadband access.
Optional built-in 56 kbps (V.90) fax modem
for off-campus dial-in.
Laptop: 802.11a/g wireless network card is recommended,
or follow desktop requirements.
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Audio
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Sound card with speakers |
Speakers/headphones |
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Accessories
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Laptops: Locking security cable is recommended.
USB flash drive is required.
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Expected price
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PC desktop $1,000
Laptop $1,300
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Mac desktop $1,000
Laptop $1,300
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