Purchasing Technology for Simmons

• Purchasing Guidelines
• Purchasing with External Funds
• Replacement Cycle
• Laptop Policy

Purchasing Technology for Yourself

• Computer and Software
• Recommended Computer Specs
• Minimum Computer Specs

Minimum Computer Specifications

Knowing that many students cannot afford newer computers, Technology will support the following minimum specifications through the 2008-2009 academic year.  Each year that minimum will be raised.  These minimum requirements exist to ensure the safety of our shared network resources (older computers run older operating systems no longer supported by the manufacturer with security patches), and to ensure students have computers capable of running basic office productivity software. 

Computers with these minimum specifications may not be reliable (due to age).  You may need to install additional RAM and a newer operating system than what came with the computer in order to run software required for certain classes; most such software is available on public access computers.  For a list of supported operating systems and software, please see Technology Support for Software.

Windows computer: 1.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Ethernet/modem, 1.5GB RAM, 60GB hard drive,  CD-RW/DVD reader, Windows XP Professional SP2 or above, Office 2003 or above.

Macintosh computer:  1.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Ethernet/modem, 1GB RAM, 60GB hard drive, CD-RW/DVD reader, OS X.4.11 or above, Office 2004 or above.