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TSS Director: Tom Van Gilder
vangildertm@appstate.edu

Main Office: 262-6272
Tech Support: 262-6266
Walkin Support: 262-TECH (8324)

Location: 2073 Raley Hall

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Student Computer Hardware Levels

In order to have your computer system offer adequate performance, please consider the following recommendations. These configurations allow your computer to run its associated operating systems and application software in a satisfactory manner.  The recommendations take into account the performance levels needed to effectively execute the applications used by a majority of Appalachian students.

Considerations when purchasing new computers:

These configurations are sufficiently robust to handle the current operating systems and the associated application software.  Currently we are supporting Windows XP (either Home or Professional) and Microsoft Vista and Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger).  The recommended hardware systems specified for new purchases are sufficient to run new operating systems as they are made available in a supported form.  Over the past several years, students at Appalachian have had the greatest success in purchasing name-brand computers.

Minimum Configurations


PCs
Intel Dual Core or Core Duo (Pentium D or AMD Dual Core)
1 GB memory (2 GB if you plan to upgrade to Vista)
60 GB hard drive or higher
DVDRW
Ethernet card and cable
Stand-alone Video Card (if you are considering Vista)       

Macs
Intel Mac
1 to 2 GB memory
60 GB hard drive or higher
Super Drive
Ethernet card and cable


Recommended Configurations

PCs
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo
1 GB Memory (2 GB recommended for Vista)
80 GB hard drive
DVDRW
Ethernet card and cable
Stand-alone Video Card (if you are considering Vista)  


Macs
Intel Mac
2 GB memory
80 GB hard drive
Superdrive
Ethernet card and cable

Software – OS’s, anti-virus, anti-spyware, application software, etc.

Minimum configurations when recycling pre-existing computers:

Any previously existing computers that you may be considering for use at Appalachian State University will need to be at or above these minimum specifications in order to experience any sort of usefulness.  Computers with specifications below these levels may, at best, only allow a very limited set of functions.  These computers will be unable to support current operating systems and or application software.  The performance of computers below the mentioned configurations may be so poor as to render the systems unusable.  We recommend that you consider some sort of alternative or trying to replace these machines as soon as possible.

PCs
Windows XP
Pentium 4 (1.7 GHz and higher)
512 MB memory
20 GB hard drive
Ethernet card and cable

Macs OS X
Mac OS  10.3 (Panther)
Power PC (667MHz and higher)
512 MB memory
20 GB hard drive
Ethernet card and cable