Considerations to help with computer purchase decisions
If you're thinking of buying a new computer to bring to college with you, it might help you to consider the following:
How much are you able to spend?
First, know that Western New England College does not require students to own a computer. There are more than 300 computers available for student use in the labs and libraries on campus. So if the expenditure is a burden, it is possible to get along without having your own personal computer while you are a student here.
As for what you might spend, there is a broad price range depending on where you buy and what you decide on. You might expect prices to start at around $800 for a system with adequate specifications.
The College currently has computer purchase programs with Dell and Gateway. These programs provide educational discounts on computers for students. To find out more click on "E-Technology Store" on the left hand menu.
Windows or Mac?
The College computing environment is Windows-based. So if you are going to go out and buy a computer for college, you will be better off buying a new PC. If you're a die-hard Mac user and you've got a relatively new Mac, your Mac will probably serve you just fine in most majors. Mac users will just need to be a little more savvy than the average user about sharing files with Windows users.
What is your intended area of study?
Even if you have not decided on a major, you might already know that you are likely to pursue an area of study that will require more computer use than others. For instance, Computer Science and Engineering majors will probably want more processing speed and memory. However, Business students and Social Science students should also expect to spend quite a lot of time working on a computer. All students should be able to run the Microsoft Office Suite on their machines.
Some rules of thumb:
A good entry-level computer should have a Pentium 4 processor, with around 2.0 GHz of power. More processing power will make your computer response time faster.
You should have at least 256 Mb of RAM, but you might be more satisfied with 512 Mb, or more. The amount of RAM affects the number of applications you can have open without reducing the computer's response time.
Be aware that average file sizes are increasing, so computer users will need more storage space. If you are buying a new computer, you should have at least 30 Gb of storage space on your hard drive.
Will you use your computer for both academic and recreational purposes?
Many users will want to use their computers for recreational purposes, as well as for academic applications. If you are a fan of gaming you will want more processing power. Also, more RAM will give you more options when it comes to video, graphics, and music.
Laptop or Desktop?
Laptops tend to be more expensive, but are considerably more convenient. Many students prefer the convenience of being able to take their computer with them. If you are thinking about a laptop you might want to consider the weight of the computer depending on what you are comfortable carrying.
Desktops can provide good computing power with a lower price tag.
What about network access capability?
If your PC does not have a network card, OIT will provide you with one, free of charge.
What about wireless?
Yes, we have wireless network access points in various buildings around campus, so you might want to consider buying a wireless network card. OIT does not supply wireless network cards.