<p>Hi, I'm going to be entering college at Case for engineering (ME, maybe aerospace too) in the fall, and I'm starting to shop for computers. What's the minimum system requirements you would reccomend? I saw what was reccomended on the site, this is for your opinion.
Lol not what you WISH you had, the minimum you think is nessicary. I'll work from there. Thanks!</p>
<p>Whatever you feel comfortable using as a system can be considered the "Minimum" requirement. If you look at <a href="http://www.dell.com%5B/url%5D">www.dell.com</a>, that is what the basic "standard" computer should be. [<a href="http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_desktop1?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs%5D%5B/url">http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_desktop1?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs][/url</a>] </p>
<p>My opinion for a minimum (..that will last you for those 4 years and probably more):
CPU: 2.8mhz P4
Ram: 256 (You can always upgrade to 512 later..buy it at Best Buy for $25 at most, whereas Dell will charge you $60)
Hard-drive: 40 Gigs should be enough, 60 if you want to just mess around with your computer (Download songs, movies..you're going to be at Case, so their fast network will tempt you to do that lol..so might as well plan ahead)
Drives: I would recommend a cd-rw (Don't bother with the DVD, since how many times have you really wanted to view DVDs on your computer, I mean okay, you could..but the CD-RW would serve a better purpose)</p>
<p>That's about it I think.</p>
<p>do you mean 2.8 Ghz?</p>
<p>Yes, sorry ghz...My TI-83 has about 33mhz, so would be bad if it was a 2.8mhz.</p>
<p>You want your memory to be the same type from the same company. Since Dell uses generic kinds, it would probably be hard to find it at best buy. I'd get it from Dell to save yourself the trouble of looking for some.</p>
<p>And I would buy a dvd player if you're into games.</p>
<p>And watching a dvd on your computer might not be much worse than watching a dvd on the most likely crappy tv in your dorm.</p>
<p>But definetly get at least 512 mb of memory. Gamers regularly use 1 gig. You'll need 512 mb for the next version of Windows which is due to come out soon.</p>
<p>What's the difference between 1DIMM, 2DIMM, 4DIMM, etc?</p>
<p>uh...more DIMMs. 1DIMM means one DIMM stick, 2DIMM means two DIMM sticks, and so on. DIMM is just a type of ram, better than SIMM because it's bascially two SIMMs on one DIMM.</p>
<p>Latitude Notebook Purchase---</p>
<p>Do you recommend that an incoming freshman purchase a notebook from the Case E-store or is it better to shop around to find the best deal on a Dell notebook? Latitude D610 is priced at $1290 at the Case eStore, is this a reasonable price? Is it important to have a Latitude notebook as opposed to an Inspiron or are you just paying for the name? I plan on being in the BME program as well as music performance.</p>
<p>Do most kids have Macs or PCs at Case? I'm thinking of getting a Mac since their better for editing stuff, but otherwise, is there a preference at Case?</p>
<p>Thanks
Byron</p>
<p>Not that I know much about computers, but my brother-in-law is a major computer person. He said that the price on the Case eStore was very reasonable.</p>
<p>Hopefully some current students can verify this, but it seems the only true requirement is that it supports "10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet", which is the network card.</p>
<p>Here is more information:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.case.edu/its/getting_connected/%5B/url%5D">http://www.case.edu/its/getting_connected/</a></p>
<p>If you want wireless network access (not required), the computer needs to support 802.11B/G protocols.</p>
<p>Apparently buying through the "e-store" means the computer will be shipped to your home address. There is not a store on campus where you pick it up. It seems like you can put together whatever you want before school starts, such as a lap top w/ a regular display and keyboard for dorm room desk use. And then when you get to school you can load the CWRU-supplied software. I will likely be buying a Mac laptop for my D.</p>
<p>There is on-campus & phone support from PerceptIS (info was in the enrollment mailing). Charge by the hour, or for a flat $149/yr. Purchased through:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.case.edu/its/estore/%5B/url%5D">http://www.case.edu/its/estore/</a></p>
<p>Current students: is this correct? Any advice? Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm not uber-computer knowledgeable, but I can try to help with this. You will need to connect to the Case network: fiber cables (these are usually bright orange...probably isn't the right name, but oh well), a network hub? (external to the computer...the Case estore only sells a big one that can hook up several computers, I got one that was comparatively tiny for one computer and everyone was jealous), an ethernet cable (connects the hub to your computer). Some people had a really rough time figuring everything out, but there were plenty of people to help.
I would really suggest (if you are getting a laptop) to get wireless capabilities. On warm spring and fall days, there are lots of students out working on their computers, and you want to be able to go out and join them :) Wireless is also great for study sessions (most class materials are stored on Blackboard online, and are very helpful when reviewing materials)
If you know how to plug your computer into the wall, I wouldn't bother with getting PerceptIS. I knew some people that found it helpful, but for the most part you can find people in your dorm that are willing to help (and are probably better than the people at PerceptIS). If you are scared of the computer engineering-types, then you may want to try PerceptIS, but overall I don't feel it's really neccesary.</p>
<p>PerceptIs people will be around when you're moving in and will help you free of charge to get your computer set up and to download any software (free!) off of the case network. Also the first time you go to them with a computer problem during the year it's free. And quick problems (that take them less than 5 minutes to fix) are free throughout the year. Like Ctheflute said it's really nice to have a wireless capable laptop :)</p>