Overview
(May 2009) As a student at the University of Delaware, you will likely use a computer every day, several times a day. According to our central computing and technology authority, every semester, over 99% of university students use computers. Word processing and e-mail are used by nearly everyone on campus. You will use the World
Wide Web for
academic research, daily assignments, aural and visual
assignments, to look for summer
jobs, to explore interests and hobbies, and to complete administrative
tasks on campus.According to our central computing and technology authority, the majority of UD students bring their own computers to campus. In the 2000-2001 school year, over 98% of UD students found it worthwhile to have their own computers.
The Department of Music does not have brand loyalty between Microsoft Windows or Apple OS-X platforms. In most cases, both platforms offer similar opportunities.
As a University Student, you have hardware and software discounts,
allowing you to select the
best options for you and your life style. You may also opt to
take advantage of
the many sales that occur during certain times of the year, as
will. Please remember
to comparison shop carefully, making certain you are getting all of the
options, features, and service plans that you will need.Windows Computing Technology
A minimum Windows System should look like:- Notebook
- Intel Core Duo, 2.6 GHz Processor
- 3.0 GB RAM (4.0 GB RAM preferred)
- 160 Gb hard disk drive, 5400 RPM (7200 RPM preferred)
- 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
- 15.4" display or better (music notation programs work best with larger screens)
- 10/100-base T ethernet port (for on campus, or off campus when served by a high-speed provider)
- 802.11 Wireless
- MS Windows XP Professional/VISTA Home Premium or VISTA Business, with
- 25' Ethernet cable
- Surge Suppressor
- Printer
32- or 64-bit?
We have witnessed some students and faculty purchase systems with pure 64-bit processors. Some found that some 32-bit applications did not run properly on those systems. We have found that most issues can be resolved eventually, but may require time and money.MacIntosh Computing Technology
A minimum Apple System should look like:- Notebook, MacBook Pro
- Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.0 GHz Processor
- 4.0 GB RAM
- 120 Gb hard disk drive, 5400 RPM (7200 RPM preferred)
- 8X DVD+/-RW SuperDrive
- 15" display or better (music notation programs work best with larger screens)
- 10/100-base T ethernet port (for on campus, or off campus when served by a high-speed provider)
- 802.11 Wireless
- Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.x or better
- 25' Ethernet cable
- Surge Suppressor
- Printer
Why MacBook Pro?
The verdict is still out on the new line-up of Apple notebook computers. Overall, student experiences have been best with the MacBook Pro lineup. Please check the many consumer reports guides and other sources carefully for reviews. In previous years, several students found that previous standard MacBooks have had several issues relating to motherboards and displays. If you purchase a regular MacBook, remember to treat it with "extra-loving" care, purchase RAM upgrades from Apple only to avoid overheating issues, and buy a service plan.Options and Upgrades, in General
If you upgrade your system, first upgrade RAM, then processor speed, and then hard drive size, and, if available, hard drive speed (from 5400 rpm to 7200 rpm).Speaking of hard drive space, as a University student, you will be tempted to share music. When you get to campus,
seek-out the upper classmen that have lost computing priviliges for a
while due to this practice. As a
musician, however, you should be aware that everything written,
assimilated, recorded, or modified after 1923 falls under some
copyright
protection. You will be aware that grabbing a copy of a song
from a friend's CD is a copyright violation and carries hefty
fines. You will therefore, as a conscientious music student,
probably not populate your iTunes to such a degree as to harmfully fill
your hard drive. Still, we have seen students that have
jammed their systems with so much music (would you believe 280 hours),
their normal software would not operate properly.Most operating systems will begin to run slow with less than 15-18% of hard drive free space. Owning and operating a computer requires some routine maintenance on the part of the operator and some "safe operating" techniques. Refer to the "left and center" columns of the University Information Technology Help pages often. This information will help guide you through several issues and keep you alert and aware of current threats.
Strongly consider buying the purchase plan for at least three years. The Dell pages
usually show the price with
the service plan from the start. The Apple pages do not,
leading the buyer to have additional sticker shock when they add that
plan.Finally, don't forget the printer.
