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Dartmouth recommends that students purchase either Apple or Lenovo 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 from Apple and Lenovo that we believe represent the best balance between cost and performance. Please Note: All laptop computer packages have an additional fee of $90 for the software. The price does not include any of the additional accessories listed below.
- The Apple MacBook Pro comes with a 2.26 GHz processor, 4 GB of RAM, an Aluminum 13-inch color screen, a 160 GB hard drive, a Super Drive, and a 3-year warranty: $1,352
- Lenovo ThinkPad T400, P9500 comes with a 2.53 GHz processor, a 14.1-inch color WXGA screem, 4 GB RAM, a 160 GB hard drive, a Super Drive, and a 4-year warranty: $1,265
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 comes with a 2.66 GHz processor, 4 GB of RAM, a 15-inch Widescreen Glossy color screen, a 320 GB hard drive, a Super Drive, and a 3-year warranty: $2,068
- Lenovo ThinkPad T500, T9600 comes with a 2.8 GHz processor, a 15.4-inch color WSXGA+ screen, 4GB RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, a Super Drive, and a 4-year warranty: $1,817
Software
A standard software package come with computers purchased through Dartmouth. It includes: System software; Microsoft Office; Symantec EndPoint Protection; 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 10.5. 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 Lenovo computers include a four-year Accidental Damage Policy. The Apple warranty covers manufacture defects only (not accidental damage); the Lenovo 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 Lenovo 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.
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/.
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