Buying Guidelines

The following guidelines were developed for typical office use. In most cases, this includes word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, and Web browsing.

Students: the information on these pages can be used to aid in purchasing decisions, however you should consult your academic department for any specific computer hardware or software you may need for your academic work.

Computing technology changes a lot, and ITS makes every effort to keep these recommendations up to date. Check back often for the latest information. These recommendations are for new computers only -- please call us for advice before upgrading an existing machine. ITS generally advises that an office computer be replaced after 3 to 5 years of service. With the cost of new equipment constantly declining, upgrades are generally not cost-effective after a machine becomes four or five years old.