Personal Computer Requirements

Although having your own PC is not a requirement for most programs, students find that owning their own is advantageous. Here are some thoughts for those preparing to bring a computer to school.

Required minimum system for a new desktop purchase:

• Pentium 4 processor running at 2.4 GHz or faster
• 512 MB RAM
• 40 GB hard drive
• Windows XP Professional
• 17 inch CRT monitor. Spending a little extra for an LCD Flat Panel monitor is well worth it and frees up a lot of valuable desktop space on the small dorm desks.
• Color Ink Jet printer
• 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port/card (for those living on campus)
• 56k modem (for those living off-campus)

This system is our recommendation for a new purchase. A lesser machine will most likely meet your needs for several years; so bring your current computer along and save money.

For Macintosh users, a G3 or G4 computer will work fine unless you are majoring in Business which has specialty software that will not run on a Mac. It you are thinking of majoring in Math or Computer Science your Mac needs to be running OS X.

Prices for computers have fallen through the years, and competition is so great among vendors that educational discounts are essentially nonexistent at this time. The best way to shop for a computer is to look on your own and find the best deal. If you anticipate putting a computer purchase on your financial aid package, please check with the Financial Planning office and we will order the computer of your choice through the college.

Required Software

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point) is the campus standard for basic software. Davis & Elkins College as entered into the Micorsoft Campus Agreement giving all students, both full and part time, the right and the license to install the latest version of Microsoft Office Professional on their machines. You have this privilege as long as you are a Davis & Elkins College student. Whe you graduate, the license (for the latest version available at the time of graduation) will go with you. If you leave D&E and do not graduate, your license expires and you must uninstall Microsoft Office from your machine. Complete information on the Microsoft Campus Agreement, and the software disks for installation, are available in the Computer Service Center.