Student Computer Buyer's Guide
Should I buy? | PC or Mac? | Desktop or Laptop? | Power or Budget?
Recommended Configurations | Online Guides | Go Get It!
Introduction
Decades ago, during an ill-fated family picnic, my great uncle Mordecai awoke suddenly from his nap beneath an old elm and hastily gathered the children around him. He then spoke the prophetic words for which he would be known ever after: "Get thee all personal computing devices; but exercise thy wisdom in so doing. For the terms and numbers are so many as to be choked upon by a horse!" He then sniffed at the air and skipped off into the woods making maniacal chicken sounds.
In his own day, Uncle Mordecai’s advice went unheeded. Today, however, we can take his advice to heart, make ourselves well-informed consumers of technology, and perhaps save our own horses from the airway obstructions of the information age.
In this same spirit of enlightenment, Student Computing Services is pleased to offer this buyer's guide as a tool for incoming Towson students and their families. Our goal is to make sense of the decisions and terminology often encountered by those shopping for a computer, suggest appropriate computers for campus use, and point to additional reference information on the web. We hope that you will find this guide useful and engaging. If you would like to comment on it (or any SCS resource), send an e-mail message to scs@towson.edu.
Should I Buy a Computer?
Owning your own computer is not a prerequisite for academic success at Towson University. Campus computer labs are available and many students use these free facilities to work on term papers, send and receive e-mail, develop presentations, and surf the Web. If you have reservations about owning your own computer, relax. You need not buy right away.
Now that you are relaxed, however, you should know that the campus labs operate on a first-come-first-served basis. Moreover, they are not open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are not located within the residence halls. At certain times of the semester, demand may exceed supply and, like other students who rely on the labs, you may be inconvenienced.
Another factor to consider is the availability of Towson's campus-wide wireless network. Students with wireless laptops, PDAs, and other devices can access the Internet and TU networks from virtually anywhere on campus—inside and out! Needless to say, this capability significantly increases the value of owning a portable computer.
If you have the financial resources, you will most certainly find that owning your own computer will simplify your academic life and help you to better prepare for graduation and its unavoidable aftermath, the workplace.
PC or Macintosh?
Once you are committed to shopping—a form of capital punishment in some cultures—you will need to choose between two basic types, or platforms, of personal computer: a Windows PC or an Apple Macintosh. While there are certainly other platforms, PCs and Macs are still the most practical choices for general computing.
Historically, business users have favored PCs and creative professionals (artists, designers, etc.) have preferred Macs. The speed, interface and software availability gap between these platforms has closed considerably in recent years, and continues to close today. PCs are becoming better at doing what Macs have always done best, and Macs are becoming better at doing what PCs have always done best. Indeed, most popular software titles are now available for both platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, etc.).
So, which platform should you buy?
It depends on where you are going and what kind of work you expect to do. PCs dominate the data-intensive workplaces of the science and business professions. Macs dominate the graphics and media production workplaces of the fine arts and publishing professions. Undoubtedly, these lines will continue to blur over time. And, given the current rate of technological change, whatever you buy at the beginning of your academic career will be obsolete in many respects by the time you graduate. So, your choice of platform is not a life-long commitment; the PC and Mac roads run in the same direction and cross frequently.
However, we would be remiss not to mention that at Towson University there are many more PCs in use than there are Macs. Students will find that the library and most of the computer labs are equipped exclusively with PCs. While OTS offers technology training for applications available on both platforms, such training is almost always conducted in a Windows (PC) environment. Further, the Office of Technology Services (OTS) is able to provide a higher level of support to PC users than it is to Mac users. And, since so many students and instructors use PCs, having a PC yourself might make exchanging files easier.
If you haven’t already settled on a platform, why not test drive both (at a computer store or in a campus lab) and then choose the one that best suits your work style and preferences. Also, consider discussing the matter with your faculty advisor or a favorite professor.
Desktop or Laptop (Portable)?
Personal computers come in two basic sizes: desktop and laptop. Desktops are large, stationary systems typically composed of several distinct parts (monitor, keyboard, mouse and CPU). Laptop computers are compact, carry-along systems in which all of the parts comprise a single battery-operated unit.
Desktop computers are less expensive and more secure from theft and physical damage than laptops. However, a laptop will allow you to work wherever you like—in classrooms, cafes, libraries, and grassy glades.
The portability of laptops is of particular value to TU students now we offer campus wide wireless networking. Known as Towson Unplugged, this service allows users to access the campus network and Internet from virtually anywhere on campus without plugging into a network port. While Towson Unplugged is an exciting innovation, you should know that it supplements the university's wired network and does not replace it. Using Towson Unplugged is entirely optional, and wired connections are undoubtedly faster.
All things considered, purchasing a desktop versus a laptop comes down to personal preference. If you want to save some money and don't want to worry about charging batteries, take the desktop route. If you picture yourself checking e-mail over lunch at Towson 's Brick Street Café or writing a term paper under a shady tree on campus, a laptop should be your choice.
If you are planning to buy a laptop computer and take advantage of Towson Unplugged, be sure to note the Wireless Requirements information listed below in the Recommended Configurations section of this guide.
Power or Budget?
For your new computer, you can expect to pay $600-$2,500 for a desktop and $900-$3,000 for a laptop. The actual price within each range will depend upon the models and features you select.
Aside from the number on the price tag, the difference between a "power" computer and a "budget" computer hinges on its configuration, or the optional features and devices installed to make the computer faster and more functional. Alas, a computer with all the bells and whistles cannot usually be had for a song—a few "minor" upgrades can add hundreds to the final price.
Generally speaking, if you buy a low-priced computer you will save money, but you may sacrifice speed, functionality, and perhaps reliability. On the other hand, if you buy a top-of-the-line model you’ll work faster and enjoy a richer computing experience, but you may end up making payments on it for years. At the very least, if you purchase a system in line with our recommendations, you can expect to get at four or more years of useful service and compatibility with popular (and campus standard) software and hardware.
Recommended Configurations
Windows Laptop | Mac Laptop | Windows Desktop | Mac Desktop
We hope the preceding information has helped you identify the type of personal computer best suited to your work style and preferences. The student system recommendations below are based upon, and thus complement, the current faculty/staff recommendations published by the university's Office of Technology Services (OTS).
While our recommendations are appropriate for most students, some disciplines (e.g., Computer and Information Sciences, Fine Arts, etc.) may suggest computers configured differently or loaded with specialized applications. Check with your academic department if you would like additional information about departmental computer recommendations.
While Towson University does not endorse any particular brand over any other, we do participate in the University System of Maryland (USM) Educational Computing Initiative. Consequently, TU students, faculty, and staff qualify for educational discounts on Dell and Apple computer systems. For more information, proceed to the Go Get It section of this guide. Manufacturers such as Gateway, Hewlett Packard, Toshiba, Sony, IBM, and others also offer systems that are well regarded and entirely compatible with the university's hardware and software standards. Just be wary of little-known companies or deals which seem too good to be true.
Software Applications
Microsoft Office is the standard application suite within the University System of Maryland. As such, many of the files distributed among students and faculty are in Office application formats (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint). These files are very often difficult or impossible to open in Microsoft Works, a limited suite of applications that vendors sometime bundled with new computers.
If you do not wish to purchase the Microsoft Office suite, you may use it in most campus computer labs, including the SCS Computer Lab in Cook Library, room 35.
McAfee VirusScan (Windows) or Virex (Macintosh) are available to students as free downloads from the OTS Web site.
Windows XP, Home or Pro?
Windows XP Professional Edition is an enhanced version of Windows XP Home Edition. Professional is designed for corporate users and intended to be networked in a business environment. Given the choice between Professional and Home, students on- and off-campus will find the Home edition more than adequate and $100 cheaper than Professional.
Wireless Requirements
If you are planning to buy a portable computer and use it with the university's wireless network, Towson Unplugged, make sure it meets the following requirements.
Laptops used with Towson Unplugged must be compatible with 802.11b OR 802.11g wireless technology. OTS recommends that the device also be 802.1x compliant in order for you to access the full range of resources available from Towson Unplugged; users without 802.1x will be able to get basic Internet access via Towson Unplugged, but they will not be able to utilize the full range of campus network resources, such as registering for courses online and viewing academic progress records. For more information about 802.11 b/g wireless technology and the 802.1x standard, refer to The Towson Unplugged FAQ page.
Some devices come with a wireless networking card preinstalled. If yours did not, you will need to purchase and install one yourself. Contact your laptop or PDA manufacturer if you are unsure whether or not your device meets the above requirements.
Windows Standard Laptop Configuration
|
Macintosh Standard Laptop Configuration
|
Windows Standard Desktop Configuration
|
Macintosh Standard Desktop Configuration
|
Dell 1.4 GHz Pentium M Processor 
Apple iBook
Dell 3.2 GHz Pentium 4
Apple PowerMac G5
Online Guides
While we certainly hope that you find this guide a useful introduction to purchasing a computer for use with the university's services, we do not present it as a comprehensive resource. Readers interested in greater detail may find it worthwhile to consult other reputable buyer guides on the Web. (Towson University does not officially endorse any of the organizations associated with the following guides.)
We have examined the following online guides and found them to be potentially useful resources for TU students and their families. If you would suggest additional guides, please let us know. Thank you!
| Selected Online Buyer Guides (Last Updated on 5/11/06) | |
 |
ConsumerReports Decision Guide "Not sure where to start? Meaningful differences in speed between desktops and laptops have largely disappeared. But each design has its own advantages and trade-offs. We give you the essential information to find the computer that's right for you." |
 |
"You've come to the right place for unbiased reviews of the latest tech. Our editors review thousands of products each year, rating them from 1 (worst) to 10 (best). Through testing and hands-on use, editors determine the products' quality, features, and value. The best receive our Editors' Choice award--another way CNET helps you choose the best tech." |
 |
ZDNet Reviews This guide from the folks at ZDNet encourages the computer shopper to review the issues and choices they are likely to encounter. (Hmmm, good idea.) |
Go Get It!
So, you're ready to surrender the plastic and acquire the one thing you will need to make your neighbors say, "Hey, did you see? __your name here__ got a new computer." (Those neighbors, they always know what to say. Don't they?) Your one remaining decision: where to buy. Essentially, you have four choices:
- Mail/Online Order
- Computer Store
- Retail Store
- This Guy I Met in Prison
Okay, okay! So you have only three good choices. Let's take a look at them.
Mail / Online Order
Remember when mail order meant thumbing through catalogs, filling out order forms, mailing the forms with your payment, and then waiting for delivery? Well, it still does! However, as an alternative to using printed catalogs and the Postal Service, you can now view interactive catalogs on the Web, fill out and submit online forms, and then...wait for delivery.
One last reminder...
Towson University participates in the University System of Maryland (USM) Educational Computing Initiative, which offers educational discounts to our students, faculty, and staff. For more information, visit the OTS Educational Discounts page.
Many manufacturers maintain their own sales sites on the Web, as do many dealers. Although purchasing your system in this way will mean waiting a bit longer for its arrival, this avenue is quite convenient and often yields good deals and expert support.
A quick search of the Web or a scan of any popular computing magazine will turn up dozens of opportunities for catalog and online purchases. Here are just a few examples:
Computer Store
If patience is less of a virtue in your book and you want your new computer NOW, buying from a computer store will eliminate the wait and have you unpacking boxes within hours. You may pay more for your system, but you are more likely to enjoy the comforting assistance of a knowledgeable sales person.
If you are concerned that a sales person might take advantage of your lack of experience, ask a friend or acquaintance who has a few years of computer experience to accompany you. If they sense a "snow job" coming, they can shovel a path to the door.
Large, well-known stores such as CompUSA and Best Buy will have a lot for you to look at, but don't rule out smaller, locally owned shops. If you have limited your search to one or two brands, the manufacturers' Web pages will likely include information on local stores that sell their products.
Retail Store
Some of the best deals out there may be found at retail stores like Walmart and K-Mart or at membership warehouses. What you are less likely to find at these stores, however, is a wide selection or expert sales staff. Still, if you know what you want and they have it for the best price (and with an acceptable warranty), why not save some money?
If you're shopping for software, diskettes, or other computer supplies, don't overlook our very own University Store.
If you are uncertain about where to go from here, relax. Take your time. Look at computers from all of these sources. Trust your instincts, make sure a warranty (with multi-year, on-site service) is included, and know that by the time you wear out your first computer, you may be the expert friends are asking for advice.
