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The table below lists the minimum recommended specifications for a student who wishes to purchase a new computer prior to coming to Florida Tech.
It represents our "best guess" of what a student will need based on currently available technology.
Special attention should be paid on the PC-side to obtain a Windows Vista capable computer. A video card that supports the new Aero user interface is highly recommended.
The department would also like to recommend that incoming students consider installing more than one Operating System on their systems.
If you are planning on purchasing a Windows-based platform we recommend a Linux Distro on top of either Virtual PC or VMWare Server.
For those considering the purchase of an Intel-based Apple computer, we recommend an installation of Windows(free for our students†) using the VM system Parallels.
Due to the difficulties sharing files between OSes and being forced to reboot to switch OSes, we recommend against using a dual-boat environment to use multiple operating systems.
Please note that FIT has a large wireless network available to all students. As a result of this and other security concerns students residing on campus are NOT permitted to setup their own wireless access points.
Students are often entitled to educational discounts when purchasing new computers, for more information please visit the campus IT website.
Desktop Systems
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Platform
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Apple
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Apple
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PC
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PC
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Expected Lifetime*
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3 - 4 Years
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2 Years
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3 - 4 Years
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2 Years
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Processor
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2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
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1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo
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2.67 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
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1.86 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
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Memory
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2 GB
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1 GB
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2 GB
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1 GB
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Hard Drive
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500 GB
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120 GB
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250 GB
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160 GB
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Video Card/Memory
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ATI Radeon X1600/256MB
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Intel GMA950 graphics
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Windows Vista Aero Ready GPU
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Integrated Intel GMA950 graphics or similar
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Media Drive
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8x Double-layer SuperDrive
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8x Double-Layer SuperDrive
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Double-layer CD/DVD Burner(DVD+/-RW)
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Double-layer CD/DVD Burner(DVD+/-RW)
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Operating System
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MacOS X "Tiger"
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MacOS X "Tiger"
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Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista capable
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Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista capable
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Network Interface‡
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10/100/1000 Ethernet Card
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10/100/1000 Ethernet Card
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10/100/1000 Ethernet Card
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10/100/1000 Ethernet Card
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Warranty
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3 year
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1 year
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3 year
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1 year
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Laptop Systems
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Platform
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Apple
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Apple
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PC
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PC
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Expected Lifetime*
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3 - 4 Years
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2 Years
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3 - 4 Years
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2 Years
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Processor
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2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo
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1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo
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2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
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2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
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Memory
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2 GB
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1 GB
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2 GB
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1 GB
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Hard Drive
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120 GB
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80 GB
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120 GB
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100 GB
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Video Card/Memory
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ATI Mobile Radeon X1600/256
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Intel GMA950 graphics
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Windows Vista Aero Ready GPU
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Integrated Intel GMA950 graphics or similar
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Media Drive
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SuperDrive
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SuperDrive
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Double-layer CD/DVD Burner(DVD+/-RW)
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CD/DVD Burner(DVD+/-RW)
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Operating System
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MacOS X "Tiger"
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MacOS X "Tiger"
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Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista capable
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Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista capable
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Network Interface‡
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10/100/1000 Ethernet Card, Airport Extreme Wireless Card
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10/100/1000 Ethernet Card, Airport Extreme Wireless Card
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10/100/1000 Ethernet Card, 802.11 b/g Wireless Card
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10/100/1000 Ethernet Card, 802.11 b/g Wireless Card
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Warranty††
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3 year
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3 year
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3 year
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3 year
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Last Updated: Thursday, 21 Sep 2006
* - This is an estimate only. Advances in technology and software may limit the useful lifetime of any computer.
† - As a CS student you are entitled to many software titles(e.g. Windows and Visual Studio 2005) from Microsoft for free as we are member of Microsoft's Academic Alliance Program.
‡ - Most modern computers ship with fully compliant networking hardware.
†† - We strongly recommend purchasing additional warranty coverage (and accidental damage coverage if possible) on laptops since they are mobile.
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