Hardware
Macintosh computers
You can find out more about the current Macintosh hardware lineup from Apple. We also have specific articles covering both Macintosh desktop computers and Macintosh laptop computers.
Purchase through replacement
We support your computer system's entire lifecycle, from pre-purchase advice all the way through retirement/replacement. A key part of that is how to purchase a computer that will meet your needs now and into the foreseeable future.
Hardware service and repair
If you have need of Hardware repair, we have recommended vendors that can help out. Convenient service options through local Apple-authorized vendors -- including on-campus service for RIT-owned systems, and drop-off/pick-up for personal computers -- are available. We advise that you contact ITS before pursuing hardware repair because we can resolve many software and hardware problems without additional charges or outside vendors.
You can also use the AppleCare Higher Education technical support line to resolve some issues. (One common request is finding the AppleCare enrollment number for a system covered by an AppleCare extended warranty.) However, unless you are a system administrator supporting many Macintosh computers, we strongly recommend you contact us first.
Hardware technologies
The Macintosh world evolves to support new hardware technologies. Apple is an innovator in this field, and tries to select the technologies that will improve your Macintosh experience.
This is especially true when it comes to the latest generation in hot-pluggable, hot-swappable, self-configuring interfaces that let you add devices to your computer. These let you add and remove peripherals on-the-fly, without the tedium of shutting your computer down.
| Interface | Hot swappable? | Notes |
| USB, or Universal Serial Bus | Yes |
Low-speed bus for connecting peripherals like mice, keyboards, printers, and scanners. Removable media should be ejected from their drives before swapping the device. |
| FireWire, or IEEE-1394 | Yes |
High speed bus for connecting hard disks, removable media drives, and digital video cameras. Removable media should be ejected from their drives before swapping the device. |
| SCSI | No | Low-to-high speed bus for connecting hard disks, removable media drives, and scanners. |
| ADB, or Apple Desktop Bus | No | Low-speed bus for connecting input devices like mice and keyboards. |
| Macintosh serial and GeoPort | No | Low-speed bus for connecting external modems, printers, and LocalTalk networks. |