Kalamazoo College Computer Buying Guide

We recommend buying a national brand-name computer such as Gateway, HP/Compaq, Dell, IBM or Apple. Unless you are a computer expert, avoid "home-built" systems by small shops or friends.

A computer has a useful life span of about 3 to 4 years; less if it's a low end system and more if it's a high end system.

About 10% of the students at K buy Macintosh, and 90% buy PCs. Most businesses use PCs.

Approximately 35-40% of K Students on the network buy laptops, and 60-65% buy desktop machines. Laptops provide mobility, but desktop systems provide more computer for the money. The choice depends on your lifestyle and use of the computer.

Minimum Hardware Standards

For PC users:

For Mac users:

Processor: (minimum) Power PC, (recommended) G5

Operating System: (minimum) System 8.5.1 (recommended) OS X or higher

RAM: (minimum) 128MB or more (recommended) 256MB or more

Networking: 10/100 Ethernet card (Built in or add-on card)

Software: Microsoft Office recommended, Antivirus is REQUIRED

Software

Wait until you get on campus to buy software. Most popular software packages are available at deeply-discounted, educational prices through the Kalamazoo College Bookstore. New educational packages such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, or Macromedia Dreamweaver cost less than the upgrade cost at commercial prices. The bookstore stocks a number of popular programs, but they can also order any available educationally priced packages and get it in a day or two.

Virus Protection

To prevent computer viruses spreading within the Kalamazoo College Network, all computers connected to the Kalamazoo College Network are required to have a current, up-to-date antivirus application installed. This requirement includes all computers whether they be student-owned, faculty- or staff-owned, or college-owned computers.

Beginning in September 2004, Kalamazoo College provides all students with a version of Symantec AntiVirus software paid for by the College. The software, subscriptions and definition updates are provided at no cost to students.

More information about obtaining and installing Symantec AntiVirus and the Kalamazoo College Computer Virus Policy can be found here

Network Card

If you are ordering a new computer, order it with the network card installed at the factory (built-in). We strongly recommend 3COM and Intel network cards for PCs. Although some inexpensive network cards will install easily, we tend to experience the most problems with these inexpensive and off-brand cards. Network cards are available at the bookstore.

Wireless Network Card

If you have a laptop, you may want to consider a wireless network card. The card should support Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) as well as the IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g standards.

Network Cable

The K College Bookstore sells network cables in four lengths (7, 14, 25, and 40 feet). If you are unsure which length to buy, we recommend a 25 foot cable. You are likely to change rooms several times during your stay at K. A 25 foot cable will accommodate almost any room layout.

Telephone or modem cables do not work for the network connection!

What other hardware options should I also consider?

Zip Drive

Most of the computer labs on campus have zip drives, If you will be working on projects between your computer and the computer labs, a zip drive is a good way to transport your data.

CD or DVD Burners

CD and DVD burners are a good choice if you are going to be backing up large amounts of data. Most burned CDs and DVDs will work in other CD or DVD drives

USB drive (also called flash or thumb drives)

These are small, portable storage devices that plug directly into the front or back USB ports of most PC and Apple computers. USB drives are easy to use, require little or no configuration and come in a variety of storage sizes.