Components
and
factors |
If
already have
a
computer |
Buying
a new PC |
| Economy
PC |
Power
User PC |
| Capabilities |
 word processing
e-mail
and Internet access
|
|
word processing
database & spreadsheet
multimedia
basic gaming
e-mail and Internet access
|
|
hi-res 3-D graphics
applications
intermediate-advanced
gaming
Windows Vista 1
|
|
| Antivirus
software |
K-Staters are required to run the university supplied Anti-virus software available at antivirus.k-state.edu. |
Processor
(CPU)
type
and speed |
single
core: 2 GHz or > |
Desktop or Portable:
single core: 3
GHz or >
multi core: 1.8
GHz or >
|
Desktop
or
Portable:
multi core: 2.4
GHz or > |
Color
monitor
and
video
card |
High-color
(16-bit) video card and compatible monitor |
17" LCD Flat panel
1280x1024 or
better
Video
card: 64 megabytes or better; DirectX 9 capable |
20" LCD Flat panel
1400x1050 or
better
Video
card: Windows
Vista capable with 256 megabytes or better.
CAD users should look at NVidia Quadro series or ATI FireGL series cards.
|
| Hard
drive (HD) |
80
gigabytes or better |
120
gigabytes or better |
320
gigabytes or better |
| Memory
(RAM) |
1 gigabyte
or better |
2 gigabytes
or better |
4 gigabytes or better |
| File transfer/storage |
USB Flash Memory Device AND 3.5"
1.44 MB Floppy Drive |
CD-ROM
drive or
DVD
drive |
12x DVD ROM or better |
DVD±RW or better |
| Operating
system |
Windows
2000 SP4 or newer |
Windows
XP Professional w/ Service Pack 3 2; Windows
Vista 1
|
Keyboard
and
pointing
device |
customer
preference (mouse, trackball, trackpad) |
| Ethernet
card |
For off-campus users with broadband service(eg: DSL or
Cable Modem) or hall residents: 10/100Base-TX Ethernet or
better
|
| Sound
system |
Sound system with speakers |
Surround sound system with speakers |
| Optional |
Mac OS 10.3 or > 3,
Linux operating system 3,4
|
| Possible
Price Range |
n/a |
Desktop $500 - $800
Portable
$700 - $1000 |
Desktop
$1000 - $1700+
Portable
$1400 - $2400+ |
