Windows

Below are the minimum required specifications for any Windows computer to be used on the network. It is not recommended to use a computer on campus under these specifications.

  • Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon x64
  • 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
  • Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or newer, fully updated
  • 10/100 Fast Ethernet adapter
  • 40 GB hard drive with at least 15% free space
  • Current firewall program
  • Current anti-virus software package
  • Current Internet web browser

Recommended Computer Specifications

Recommendations for students who intend to keep a computer for four years without a major upgrade:


 Desktops Laptops
Monitors 22 inch LCD Personal Preference
Operating System Windows 7, 64-bit, fully updated with firewall enabled Windows 7, 64-bit, fully updated with firewall enabled
Processor/CPU Intel Core i5 (2.66 GHz, Quad Core) or AMD FX (3.0 GHz, Octa Core) Intel Core i5 (2.4 Ghz, Dual Core) or AMD APU (A6-3400M or higher)
Graphics/GPU AMD Radeon 6750 or Nvidia 550 Ti or higher Integrated graphics
Ram 8 GB RAM 8 GB RAM
Hard Drive 1 TB Traditional hard drive or 256 GB Solid State Drive* (SSD) with external hard drive 750 GB Traditional hard drive or 180 GB Solid State Drive* (SSD) with external hard drive
Networking Hardware 10/100/1000 Ethernet adapter 10/100/1000 Ethernet adapter, 802.11 G/N
Software Current Microsoft Office Suite and current, updated Anti-virus Software Current Microsoft Office Suite and current, updated Anti-virus Software

*A solid state drive is a hard drive that does not use "traditional" hard drive technology of recording data on magnetic disks, meaning it has no moving parts. This makes them more reliable, faster, and less prone to data loss from dropping / carrying a laptop around. The downside is solid state technology is still more expensive than "traditional" hard drive technology, and space is still a limiting factor. If a solid state drive is purchased, we recommend also purchasing an external hard drive for data storage. 


Windows Service Packs

Microsoft release free Service Packs to users which contain the latest collection of critical operating system updates and security patches. Many of the system updates increase the stability of your computer while also removing vulnerabilities of the system. It is highly recommended that you install each Service Pack when requested. Both the SafeConnect Policy and the ResNet Usage Policy requries users on the network to be fully updated as required by their operating system.

Windows Service packs may be downloaded from the Micosoft Windows Update website. Alternatively, students may bring their computers into our ResNet offices to be updated. Please call us at (831) 459 - 4NET for more information.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use