PC & Mac Configuration: Computer Recommendation
While it is not required for incoming students to have their own computer, having one definitely makes life easier. Different majors will have different computing needs; however, this page aims to simply provide some general guidelines in the sometimes confusing computer purchasing process.
EIT offers a Dell discount. Check out dell.com/wustl for systems available.
EIT offers an Apple discount Check out apple.com/edu/wustl for systems available
General Information
Should I get a desktop or a laptop?
This is one of the most common questions that we get and one of the hardest to answer. Current laptops are very powerful and have enough power for many students. The EIT computing labs provide tabletop accessible power and Ethernet outlets, as well as wireless access, to provide access to those who bring laptops into the computer facilities. Desktops provide the most bang for the buck in that they are more powerful and expandable than laptops, but are relatively immobile. To compensate, EIT provides a remote-desktop option to allow home-based users to access many of the EIT programs from the comfort of their apartment or dorm room - thus alleviating the "restriction" of having a desktop.
Unfortunately, we cannot make a recommendation either way since they both have their own set of advantages and drawbacks.
What brand should I buy?
We can't recommend specific brands. If you are interested in advice on purchasing a new system, we would recommend that you investigate at PC Magazine's website at www.pcmag.com , where you can find many helpful comparison tables on various machines. In general, the typical options that most students consider are "PC or Apple" (Microsoft or Apple). Due to the nature of engineering computing, most programs are written to interface with Microsoft operating systems. For this reason, it may be to your advantage to have the capability to run a Windows operating system.
PC: Regarding PCs, EIT currently runs Microsoft XP on all of its computers. It is likely, however, that when purchasing a new PC, Windows Vista will be the only option for an operating system. This discrepancy will not be a problem, as Vista will work fine on our network.
Apple: If considering a Apple, it is recommended that the system run newest versions of the Apple operating system (Leopard). Although Apple computers are also powerful computers for many applications, there are a considerable number of programs used in the engineering school that are not capable of running on a Apple. We say this not to discourage you from purchasing an Apple, but to make you aware that - as of right now - a Apple will have a few disadvantages compared to a PC. Please keep in mind that you will need to consider the following software options with a Mac:
- Bootcamp (which comes installed and lets the user install Windows on the intel-based Apple computer) needs at least a 5GB partition on the Apple to work.
- Parallels, an additional piece of software, requires only 100MB plus space to allocate to your virtual machine.
- VMFusion, similar to Parallels, requires 275MB plus 1GB (minimum) per virtual machine.
Please note: All the options require the additional purchase of the Windows Operating System.
Are there student discounts available?
The Washington University Campus Store
has agreements in place with Apple and Sony to provide educational discounts
to students. For information
about these student discounts, contact them at (314)-935-5580.
If you are interested in a Dell discount, you should check out dell.com/wustl to see what options are available. Once you have an idea of what you would like, you should call Dell at 1-800-695-8133. At this point, you should mention that you are a student enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis, so you can be eligible for the educational discount.
What office software should I get?
Microsoft Office 2007 is the standard productivity application for the Engineering School. For those wishing to purchase a personal version, it is important to know that you can get it cheaper than what most manufacturers charge. Microsoft offers a "Student and Teacher Edition" for approximately $150, which can be found at many electronics stores. The Washington University Campus Store (314-935-5580) currently offers students a discount on Office Professional. Please call them for the current price.
Recommended Configurations:
Desktops
Intel Core 2 Processor2 GIG of RAM
80 or larger GB hard drive
DVD-R/RW
Laptops
Intel Core 2 Processor2 GIG of RAM
40 or larger GB hard drive
CD-R/RW
Upgraded video card
802.11g or 802.11n wireless card.
We suggest visiting your local electronics store to shop around for laptops with different screens for your personal preferences.
If you plan to run Virtual Machine software you should get at least 4Gb of memory.
Extended Warranty - Laptops experience much more wear than desktops and can be very expensive to fix. Getting on-site repair reduces the time you will spend without your computer. The 4-year warranty may be a good idea, so that your computer is covered for the entirety of your academic career.
Internet Connection at Washington University
Within the engineering school, all of the EIT labs have high-speed Ethernet and wireless connections available for personal use. These connections are available to all students free-of-charge.
The residence hall rooms also have high-speed Ethernet and wireless access to the campus-wide network. The cost associated with use of this network is incorporated into the cost of housing, and are available to all students. A username and password are required for access to the wireless network in the residence halls, which will be provided by the Engineering School once you become enrolled. This username and password is the same name and password required to log into a EIT computer.
Additional Questions
For more information, please contact:
EIT Help Desk: (314)-935-5097or
Support@seas.wustl.edu