I was looking at the computer requirements for UC-Denver and I saw that they require:
* Laptop Specifications 1.7 GHz Intel Pentium or Core processor (other Intel or AMD Athlon processors of equivalent speeds or faster are acceptable equivalents)
* 60 GB Hard Drive
* 1 GB RAM
* Audio (via motherboard or SoundBlaster 16 equivalent)
* CD ROM or DVD-ROM Drive 16x
* 802.11g wireless network interface (NIC)
* Inkjet or laser printer for home use (a portable printer is not required)
* Software Operating system: Windows: Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista or Windows 7* Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later
* Productivity Software: Windows: Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office 2007 Macintosh: Microsoft Office 2004 or Microsoft Office 2008
* Internet browser (such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.; student's choice)
* Adobe Acrobat Reader (may be obtained at no charge on campus or from Adobe)
* antivirus and antispyware software (Update 1/19/2010: McAfee Antivirus is no longer available for free from the university)
*Windows XP Professional is the only version of Windows currently permitted on UCD-owned workstations. Windows XP Home and Windows Vista Home Basic are not allowed on student-owned computer that will be used on campus. Student-owned computers may run Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Business or any version of Windows 7 but the campus does not at this time provide technical support for those versions.
Note: Some School of Pharmacy departments and programs and some SOP faculty may have additional requirements for software or document formats. We strongly recommend that you consult with your department or program to confirm before you purchase any new computer or software.
Hardware/Software Optional but Recommended
* Recommendations 2.0GHz or faster Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD processor
* 2GB RAM or more
* Hard drive larger than 60GB
* 16x or faster CD-RW drive or DVD-RW (may replace required CD-ROM drive) for transfer of large files and presentations and making backups
* Internet service provider (ISP) for Internet access at home
* E-mail application ( faculty and staff):Windows: Microsoft Outlook 2003 or 2007Macintosh: Mac OS X Mail or Microsoft Entourage 2004 or 2008
My current computer is an Alienware M17x which handles all of the above fairly easily except the computer weighs over ten pounds and is a little impractical to haul around. I am looking for another computer that would meet the requirements and I have stumbled upon:
Dell Inspiron 14R
Good- cheap, meets specs
Bad- the bottom is made of eggshell plastic that is extremely fragile and if it breaks could be $$$ to fix, very cheaply made
Alienware M15x
Good- moderately priced, would handle anything that could be thrown at it
Bad- 15.6 inch screen means a lot of "personal" space required, screen is not even remotely glare-resistant, heavy
Samsung Series 9
Good- light, portable, versatile
Bad- starts at 1600+ and I would have to buy from best buy, and I am not a believer in their business practices
MacBook Pro
Good- ???
Bad- ??? (most expensive notebook I have seen so far)
Never used a mac just get tons of people saying "get that one!" Are the operations different than a PC? Is there a benefit to a mac over a PC?
Anyone care to offer an opinion? Is a 15.6 inch screen to large in a classroom setting? What do other students use? What sorts of programs are required in pharmacy school that require such heavy specs? Any help is appreciated.
* Laptop Specifications 1.7 GHz Intel Pentium or Core processor (other Intel or AMD Athlon processors of equivalent speeds or faster are acceptable equivalents)
* 60 GB Hard Drive
* 1 GB RAM
* Audio (via motherboard or SoundBlaster 16 equivalent)
* CD ROM or DVD-ROM Drive 16x
* 802.11g wireless network interface (NIC)
* Inkjet or laser printer for home use (a portable printer is not required)
* Software Operating system: Windows: Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista or Windows 7* Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later
* Productivity Software: Windows: Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office 2007 Macintosh: Microsoft Office 2004 or Microsoft Office 2008
* Internet browser (such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.; student's choice)
* Adobe Acrobat Reader (may be obtained at no charge on campus or from Adobe)
* antivirus and antispyware software (Update 1/19/2010: McAfee Antivirus is no longer available for free from the university)
*Windows XP Professional is the only version of Windows currently permitted on UCD-owned workstations. Windows XP Home and Windows Vista Home Basic are not allowed on student-owned computer that will be used on campus. Student-owned computers may run Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Business or any version of Windows 7 but the campus does not at this time provide technical support for those versions.
Note: Some School of Pharmacy departments and programs and some SOP faculty may have additional requirements for software or document formats. We strongly recommend that you consult with your department or program to confirm before you purchase any new computer or software.
Hardware/Software Optional but Recommended
* Recommendations 2.0GHz or faster Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD processor
* 2GB RAM or more
* Hard drive larger than 60GB
* 16x or faster CD-RW drive or DVD-RW (may replace required CD-ROM drive) for transfer of large files and presentations and making backups
* Internet service provider (ISP) for Internet access at home
* E-mail application ( faculty and staff):Windows: Microsoft Outlook 2003 or 2007Macintosh: Mac OS X Mail or Microsoft Entourage 2004 or 2008
My current computer is an Alienware M17x which handles all of the above fairly easily except the computer weighs over ten pounds and is a little impractical to haul around. I am looking for another computer that would meet the requirements and I have stumbled upon:
Dell Inspiron 14R
Good- cheap, meets specs
Bad- the bottom is made of eggshell plastic that is extremely fragile and if it breaks could be $$$ to fix, very cheaply made
Alienware M15x
Good- moderately priced, would handle anything that could be thrown at it
Bad- 15.6 inch screen means a lot of "personal" space required, screen is not even remotely glare-resistant, heavy
Samsung Series 9
Good- light, portable, versatile
Bad- starts at 1600+ and I would have to buy from best buy, and I am not a believer in their business practices
MacBook Pro
Good- ???
Bad- ??? (most expensive notebook I have seen so far)
Never used a mac just get tons of people saying "get that one!" Are the operations different than a PC? Is there a benefit to a mac over a PC?
Anyone care to offer an opinion? Is a 15.6 inch screen to large in a classroom setting? What do other students use? What sorts of programs are required in pharmacy school that require such heavy specs? Any help is appreciated.
