Laptop Specifications

Recommended Specifications

• Processor: Dual Core - 2.0 GHz or higher
• Memory (RAM): 2GB or greater for Vista or Windows 7.
• Hard Drive: 160 GB or greater, plus an external hard drive (to store backups,music, photos, games).
• Wireless Adapter: There are multiple standards for the WiFi adapter - 802.11 a/b/g/n. The MSMS network uses 802.11 g, so your adapter must be g-compatible.
• Network Card: 10/100 integrated on systems board
• Video: 128 MB - usually integrated on systems board. Gamers will want more memory.
• Audio: integrated on systems board.
• CD/DVD Burner: 8X or greater.
• Display Screen size: 14" or greater (13" for Macs), 1200 x 800 resolution.
• Battery: 6 cell or greater.
• Software: Operating system - Windows XP, Windows 7, Mac OS X, or Linux. (Windows Professional Edition Prefered)
• Warranty: Minimum of 2 years, 3 years gets you into college; complete care coverage - covers unintentional accidental damage, most drops and spills, and most cracked displays - highly recommended! Be sure to have the conditions of the warranty explained to your satisfaction, whether offered by the manufacturer or the retail vendor. There are mail-in, carry-in, on-site repair as well as next business day, 2-3 business days and so variations of the offered warranty. Be sure that your student has available the terms of the warranty to facilitate guidance from MSMS IT Staff.
• Desirable Upgrades: Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 Professional editition. padded laptop sleeve or carrying case; more memory if OS will support it; more memory on video card; larger display size; faster processor; dual layer or blue-ray burner with burning software; a 2 to 4 GB thumb drive; an external hard drive; a larger hard drive; a built-in or USB web camera; and a high capacity (run time) battery.

Laptop Computer Examples

MacBook:

• Starts at $999
• Includes web cam
• 2 GB RAM
• 250 GB hard drive
• 13.3" display

Dell Inspirton 15 (1564):

• Starts around $700;
• Intel Core i3330M processor
• web cam
• 4 GB RAM
• 500 GB hard drive
• Fingerprint reader
• 15.6" display
• 1 yr Basic Service Plan
• 3 yr complete care warranty available
• Does not have a web cam
• Website: http://www.dell.com/home/laptops

Dell Studio 15 (1558):

• Starts around $1000
• Core i5-520M 2.4 GHz
• has web cam
• 500 GB hard drive
• 15.6"display
• 1 yr Basic Service Plan
• 3 yr complete care warranty available
• Website: http://www.dell.com/home/laptops

HP Pavilion dv6t series

• Starts around $750
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-330M Dual Core processor 2.13 GHz;
• 3 GB RAM
• 320 GB hard drive
• 15.6" high def display
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard)
• Has web cam
• 1 yr standard warranty
• Other warranty options are available
• Website: http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/

• Netbooks & Minis

  Netbooks are small, light-weight laptops or notebooks. They have small displays; small batteries with short run times; no CD/DVD; and small hard drives.

  HP Mini 210 HD Edition series

  • starts around $329.99
  • Intel(R) Atom (TM) Processor N450 (1.66GHz)
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 160 GB hard drive
  • Does not have CD/DVD
  • 10.1" display
  • 3 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard)
  • Web Cam
  • 1 yr standard warranty
  • Other warranty options are available
  
  

  Dell Mini 10

  • Starts around $350
  • Processor - Intel Atom Processor N450 (1.66GHz)
  • 1GB RAM
  • 160 GB hard drive
  • Does not have CD/DVD
  • 10.1" display
  • 28WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (3-cell)
  • Web Cam
  • 1 Year Basic Mail-In Service Plan
  • 3 yr Complete Care warranty available
  
  

  Asus Eee PC 1005HA Seashell:

  • starts around $300
  • Processor - Atom N270/1.6 GHz
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 160 GB hard drive
  • Does not have CD/DVD
  • 10" display
  • Web cam
  • 28 Wh 4.5 hr battery life
  • 1 yr limited warranty
  • Other warranty options available

  Lenovo S 10-3t 0651-37U Multitouch Netbook:

  • starts around $550
  • tablet
  • Processor--Intel Atom N450 (1.66GHz 667MHz 512KB)
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 160 GB hard drive
  • Does not have CD/DVD
  • 10" display
  • 4 Cell Lithium-Ion
  • 1 yr parts and labor
• All computers must have Anti-Virus protection