Computer Information
What Computer Should I Bring?
Central College recommends that all students bring a computer to campus. While Central provides many computer labs for student use, your academic work will be enhanced if you have a computer of your own. Central provides Microsoft Office software free of charge for students, which is needed so you can complete academic assignments on your personally owned computer.
Hardware
If you bring a used computer to campus for 2009-10, at a minimum it should have 512MB of memory and a CD drive. It should run Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Mac OS X. We do not recommend older versions of Mac OS, Windows 98, Window ME or Windows 2000.
If you buy a new computer for 2008-09, we recommend the following configuration:
| |
Recommended |
Acceptable Alternatives |
| Type |
notebook (laptop) computer |
desktop computer, Tablet PC |
| Operating System |
Windows Vista or Mac OS X |
Windows XP, Linux |
| Base Memory |
1 or more GB of RAM |
2 or more GB of RAM |
| Optical Drive |
CD burner/DVD player |
CD player or DVD burner |
| Network/Wireless |
802.11n wireless,
ethernet cable |
802.11 b/g wireless,
ethernet cable |
If you elect to purchase a Dell or Apple computer, visit the IT Services Web site. In most cases, the academic pricing available to college students through these websites is slightly better than the pricing on their consumer websites.
Software
Central College provides
free upgrades to Microsoft Windows software (i.e. Windows XP to Window Vista Ultimate or Vista Home to Vista Ultimate) to all students. Central also provides Microsoft Office Professional software (in either Windows or Mac OS format) to all students. This software package includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. and you may use it freely on your computer while you are a Central student and after you graduate. If you are buying a new computer, we suggest you have it configured without Microsoft Office or Word software which will help reduce the cost of the computer. New students will receive the installation media for Microsoft Office during their June orientation visit to campus.
Central College also provides anti-virus software to students, and requires that each student computer be protected from viruses before it connects to the network. You may either use the college provided software (McAfee VirusScan) free of charge, or use your own anti-virus software. If you use your own anti-virus software, you must purchase the subscription service for it so you will receive anti-virus updates daily or weekly.
Printing
Many students will find it convenient to have a small ink jet or laser printer in their room. Students may also use the laser printers located in several computer labs around campus. Many faculty members accept assignments electronically, so printing may not be necessary for some projects.
Support
Once you arrive on campus with your computer, what if you have difficulty connecting it to the network or getting software installed? Central's Computer Help Center, located in the UnderGround of the Maytag Student Center, provides expert help to overcome these hurdles. We want every student to have a positive computing experience, with full access to the software and information you need to succeed. Stop in the Computer Help Center for assistance or call ext. 7010 to make an appointment.
