This Guide describes Drexel's academic computing programs and provides
information on how to select and buy a personal computer for use while
at Drexel. Computers configured for use in college are different from
basic home computers because the needs of higher education are more rigorous.
- Must I have my own personal computer to complete my coursework?
- If I already own a computer, do I need to purchase a second one?
- What kind of computer configuration does Drexel recommend?
What computer brands does Drexel recommend?
Will a desktop or a laptop system be better?
What software will I need; what does Drexel provide for me?
How will I use my computer while I'm at Drexel?
- Am I required to bring my computer to class?
- How will I use the Internet, Resnet, Dragonfly?
- Why should I buy these systems when I see less expensive ones advertised?
- Can I finance my purchase over time?
- Can I get an extended repair warranty for my new computer?
- Shall I buy a computer now so I can get used to it before classes begin?
- Do I need a printer?
- Who can I call for more information?
1. Must I have my own personal computer to complete my coursework?
Yes, since 1983 Drexel University has had a policy that each student must
have personal access to a computer in his/her place of residence --
whether in the residence hall, apartment or at home. This has been identified
as a requirement for success in Drexel's academic program and for success
in the professional world as well. Over time the computer has become
a more vital and necessary educational tool and the importance of this
requirement has grown.
While the University provides a number of computers in public access areas,
their availability is limited; they are intended to supplement your
computer rather than replace it. The ability to access a computer
to complete work at any time of day or night is essential to keeping
pace with Drexel's quarter system and the increasing academic standards
within individual courses.
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2. If I already own a computer, do I need to purchase a second one?
Maybe. Drexel's requirement is that you have personal access in your room
to a microcomputer. Should you already own a computer that meets
or exceeds the "Existing Personal Computer" specifications in the next item, you may be able to delay your purchase at this time. It is likely,
however, that you will have to purchase a more powerful new machine,
comparable to those Drexel recommends, at some time during your
study.
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3. What kind of computer configuration does Drexel recommend?
The nature of the computer equipment marketplace is that it changes rapidly. Because of this fact, we have provided below a general range of specifications which can be applied to specific brands and models--see Item 4 for vendor contacts. A new computer configured for current use would have:
For Windows--Intel® Pentium® Dual Core™ or Core™ Duo at 2.2 - 3.2 GHz
For Macintosh--Mac Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.0 - 2.2 GHz
RAM at minimum 2 GB, 4 GB recommended
Hard Drive 100 - 250 GB
DVD/CD combo drive or DVD/RW
10/100/1000 Ethernet adapter and Ethernet cable
802.11a/g/n wireless card or Airport for laptop or tablet
Graphics Media Accelerator
128 Mb
Video card minimum
Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Business
Mac OS X
Three year extended warranty
Special Note: Click here for the College of Engineering or Westphal College of Media Arts and Design specific recommendations!
Monitor size is a personal choice as are external speakers, printer, additional laptop battery, case, docking station and security cabling.
If you wish to bring to campus a computer you already own, here are some basic configuration specs to review:
Existing Personal Computer
Windows XP, Vista Premium or Apple OS X
Minimum 2 GHz processor
RAM at 1 GB
80 - 150 GB Hard Drive
DVD/CD ROM Drive
Wireless capable (laptop or tablet)
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4. What computer brands does Drexel recommend?
Dell, Lenovo, and Apple are among the many vendors that
sell computers meeting Drexel's requirements. Drexel prefers that
you purchase these brands because you can depend on the quality
of the goods and after-sale service that they offer. The higher-education
contacts below offer special discounts for back-to-school purchases.
Dell Computer (888) 987-3355
Dell Purchases for Drexel
Apple Computer (800) 780-5009
Apple Purchases for Drexel
IBM (Lenovo) (877) 222-6426, #1, ext. 6827
IBM Purchases for Drexel
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5. Will a desktop or a laptop system be better?
Notebook and tablet computers, because they are portable, make it easy to work anywhere.
Further they can take advantage of DragonFly, Drexel's wireless network,
to access the campus network and the Internet without wires from virtually
the entire campus. Desktop systems usually offer a lower entry price
point. For a very useful comparison document, click here Choosing the Right Computer or Mobile Device for You, or copy and paste this link into your browser:: http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/getstarted/choose.mspx
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6. What software will I need; what does Drexel provide for me?
Drexel continues to recommend Microsoft Windows XP professional or Apple OS X; however, we recognize that new Windows computers will be equipped with Windows Vista. The university will continue to distribute via our secure software server both Microsoft Office 2007 and 2003 for Windows or Office 2004 adn 2008 for Macintosh until further notice. Symantec Antivirus software is required on all machines and is licensed by the University for online access for all students at no charge. Other software licensed at Drexel for distribution is
available on the our software server at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/services/comp_mark.
Depending upon your choice of major and elective coursework, you
may need to purchase additional software during your career at Drexel.
Computer labs also may be equipped with software necessary for classes
held in them.
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7. How will I use my computer while I'm at Drexel?
You will use your computer as both a labor saving device and a
tool for exploring ideas. You will use it to write reports and presentations,
to record and analyze data, to participate in online courses, simulate
lecture demonstrations and laboratory experiments, retrieve bibliographic
and Internet information, and much, much more. Some of the work
on the computer will be assigned to you, but you will also find
uses for this educational tool on your own. You will probably use
it when you go on your co-op assignments. You will come to depend
on it extensively and regard it as a necessity.
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8. Am I required to bring my computer to class?
Drexel doesn't require all students to bring a computer to class. However,
you may want to anyway so that you can take notes, work on assignments,
and have access to the Internet via Dragonfly. This may be particularly
attractive since all of the classrooms and lecture halls are equipped
with wireless networking. If you need to use a computer during class
time, your instructor will schedule your class in a room equipped
with computers.
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9.How will I use the Internet, Resnet, Dragonfly?
Drexel makes extensive use of the Internet and its own networks
to facilitate communication between students and faculty, to register
for classes and obtain grades, for research, education and personal
use. To aid this, the University expects that all students will
be able to access the Internet. Students with notebook computers
should ensure that their computer includes a modem, an Ethernet
adapter and compatible wireless network card. Desktop computer users
should ensure that their computer includes a modem and an Ethernet
adapter. These recommendations hold true for both residents and
commuters.
Dragonfly provides secure wireless network service from any place
on the Drexel campus. Dragonfly makes the most sense for notebook
computers since portability and wireless access are a great combination.
To use Dragonfly you'll need a wireless Ethernet adapter registered for encrypted access. Notebook and tablet computers can be bought with Wi-Fi (also called 802.11a/b/g)
built in. We recommend you choose this feature when configuring
your own computer through the vendors. However, even machines without
built-in Wi-Fi can use Dragonfly with the help of an add-in Wi-Fi
adapter. For more complete information on our wireless network,
registration and encryption, features and equipment see http://www.drexel.edu/irt/support/wireless.
ResNet provides each student in the residence halls with
his or her own wired, high-speed network connection. To use this connection,
the computer must have a factory-installed Ethernet adapter and cable. If the computer you currently own
does not already have an Ethernet adapter, Drexel strongly recommends
that you get a 3Com or Intel brand Ethernet adapter for it. Other
brands may work, but the University has found that 3Com and Intel
Ethernet cards provide the easiest and most trouble-free setup and
operation.
It is our experience that students who bring inexpensive, inferior Ethernet
adapters or computers to campus often have connection problems. In those
cases, the consultants on campus cannot help connect your computer
to the campus network. You may spend considerable time and expense attempting
to isolate the cause of your connection problem.
Off-campus users must have a cable modem or DSL and an account with an Internet Service Provider
(ISP) to access the Internet.
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10. Why should I buy these systems when I see less expensive ones advertised?
Drexel has worked with these vendors to establish price-competitive,
pre-configured bundles that meet the standard of quality necessary
for use throughout the University during your college career. The prices represent across-the-board higher education pricing for universities. The
same basic systems chassis could be configured with less memory
and storage space, slower processors, and poorer quality monitors,
with a correspondingly lower price. For the most part, machines
with comparable features have comparable prices. You should find
that the systems recommended here will have competitive prices of comparable
computer packages advertised in newspapers or on television because of discounts that have
been made available, where possible, to Drexel students. Comparison shopping is always recommended.
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11. Can I finance my purchase over time?
Dell, and Apple offer installment plans for students attending college.
For more information, call the vendors or visit their web sites.
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12. Can I get an extended repair warranty for my new computer?
Yes, most computers sold today have the option to extend the manufacturer's
hardware warranty. It is best to purchase this extended warranty when
you are buying the computer system. Some computer vendors will not allow
you to purchase an extended repair warranty after you have purchased
the equipment. Some extended warranties offered are "on site" coverage
and some are "carry in" hardware repair warranties. Before you buy the
extended repair service contract check to make sure that there are computer
repair companies near your residence that will honor the service contract
once you purchase it.
Computer
Fixer on Campus offers "carry in" extended hardware repair warranties
on existing equipment beyond the original equipment warranty. Computer
Fixer is located in room 007 in the basement of the Korman Computing
Center, and the phone number is (215) 387-5900. If
you wish to purchase the "carry in" extended hardware repair warranty
on your existing equipment, understand that the equipment will have
to be brought in for a "bench test" before the extended warranty
can be purchased. There will be a fee for the bench test if your
computer's original equipment warranty has expired.
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13. Shall I buy a computer now so I can get used to it before classes begin?
You will want to have your computer set up and ready to bring to
campus with you in the Fall when classes begin. If you will be a
resident student, you will bring the computer with you when you
move in. From our past experience, the computer package features
and pricing structure tends to be at the most favorable to the consumer
during summer. Keep in mind that the websites we have provided in
question #4 of this site are direct links to the computer vendors,
who keep their site information up to date with their current offers.
The choice of precisely when to purchase is ultimately yours.
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14. Do I need a printer?
The Korman Computing Center, Hagerty Library and other departments
provide laser printing for a fee. However, Drexel recommends that
students purchase their own printers to ensure access at any time.
A good-quality ink-jet printer can be purchased for less than $100.
Drexel has had good success with printers from Lexmark, Hewlett-Packard,
Canon, and Epson. Our listed vendors, Dell and Apple, can
sell you a printer when you buy your computer.
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15. Who can I call for more information?
Drexel has set up a special phone number and email
address for issues regarding computer selection. The telephone number
is (215) 895-5855. The email address is computer@drexel.edu.
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Please check this web site throughout the year for updated computer hardware,
prices and any future program changes.
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