|
Dartmouth recommends that students purchase either Apple or Dell laptops. Before you come to Dartmouth you will need to decide whether to use Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac OS. Dartmouth offers a number of computer packages and accessories to incoming students. Which one is right for you?
Models We Recommend
Dartmouth offers two basic laptop packages that we believe represent the best balance between cost and performance.
- The Apple MacBook Intel Core 2 Duo comes with a 2.40 GHz processor, 2 GB (2 chips) of RAM, a 13.3- inch color screen, a 160 GB hard drive, and an 8x Double-layer SuperDrive.
- The Dell XPS M1330 Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 comes with a 2.40 GHz processor, 2 GB (2 chips) of RAM, a 14.1-inch color WXGA screen, a 160 GB hard drive, and an 8x DVD+/-RW drive.
In addition, we offer two high-end laptop packages. Should you choose one of these packages, financial aid will only cover up to the cost of the basic package toward one of the high-end packages. Please read the letter from the Financial Aid Office that you will receive in mid-June for details.
- The Apple MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo comes with a 2.40 GHz processor, 4 GB (2 chips) of RAM, a 15.4-inch color screen, a 200 GB hard drive, and an 8x Double-layer SuperDrive.
- The Dell Latitude D630 Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 comes with a 2.40 GHz processor, 4 GB (2 chip) of RAM, a 15.4-inch color WSXGA+ screen, a 200 GB hard drive, and an 8x DVD+/-RW drive.
Software
A standard software package will be pre-installed on computers purchased through Dartmouth. It includes: System software; Microsoft Office; Symantec AntiVirus; BlitzMail (Dartmouth's electronic mail program); Sygate Security Agent (a personal firewall); an FTP client; and Web browsers. You will also receive utilities that allow you to use shared network resources, such as public laser printers and file servers.
Apple systems will be preloaded with Mac OS X Leopard. Windows systems will be preloaded with the Windows Vista Ultimate edition. Dartmouth supports Apple’s Mac OS X and Microsoft's Windows Vista Ultimate edition and Windows XP Professional operating systems. We do not support Windows XP Home or Windows Vista Home. If you have an unsupported operating system, software is available to Dartmouth students from Computer Sales and Service to upgrade to Windows Vista or Mac OS 10.5 for a low price.
Our Warranties
All Apple computers come with a three-year AppleCare warranty; all Dell computers include a four-year CompleteCare warranty. The Apple warranty covers manufacture defects only (not accidental damage); the Dell warranty covers manufacture defects, plus accidental damage. Please note that software-related problems are not covered on any of the systems.
Repairs to Apple computers and the Dell computers can be done on campus by our certified technicians, regardless of whether you purchase them through us, through them, or elsewhere. If you bring a personal computer other than one of the recommended models, you will need to take your computer off campus for warranty service and support. We do not support Dell Dimension computers.
In rare cases, you may need to take a class that requires the use of software or resources that are not available for the computer you own — either Macintosh or Windows. You can meet the class requirements by using a friend’s computer or using a computer in one of the public computer clusters.
Should You Buy a Printer?
The College provides students with an allocation for free printing each term at public printers located around campus. Once that allocation has been depleted, you will be charged for printing. You may choose to purchase a personal printer, but Dartmouth financial aid is not available for the purchase of printers. To find out more, go to www.dartmouth.edu/comp/resources/equipment/greenprint/.
|
