Technical Recommendations and Specifications

The following are our recommendations for desktop computer configurations/specifications. If you find this information confusing, we recommend you read, "So You're Buying a New Computer" for an introduction to the terminology found in this list. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the CLC.

How to Use this Guide

First, look at the minimum system requirements.   These are the bare minimum you need to make sure your computer has no matter which you choose. The lists that follow are systems that are likely to be available to you, organized according to price ranges. Although you may find systems that don't match exactly, just make sure that the system you choose has the minimum we recommend. If you buy an entry level computer (that is with minimum requirements) you will feel like it has been outdated within 1-2 years. With the recommended requirements, computer will last more than just a couple of years. But all of these computers have the capability to meet most users' needs for much longer than that. A Pentium II could meet your word processing needs for 10 years. But someday soon a PII may be too weak to run new software. That is why the only firm recommendation we can make is that you get as much as you can afford. Unless you know you're going to buy a new computer when you graduate (in which case, you might consider buying towards the lower end), you should buy the highest model you can afford.

If you have a computer that nearly meets the minimum requirements and is extremely costly to upgrade, please call the Center for Law and Computers at (312)-906-5300, so that we can assist you in determining the best solution for both short and long -term needs.

How to Shop

How should you shop?

• Decide how much you want to spend.
• Get as much as you can with the money.

Do NOT scrimp on: [most important listed first]

• processor
• RAM
• Hard Drive
• modem
• CD ROM

Used Systems

We mention this because it is an option. As people improve their systems, they find that dealers and vendors won't offer trade-ins on their old systems. So a little hunting could turn up a solid system for a cut-rate deal. However, you should take notice of a few things. First, if you buy a used computer you are likely to be missing out on official support by software vendors, and the manufacturer's warrantees may have expired. You may still get an adequate computer, but many of the service options will be gone. On a good note, you may be able to get a good computer for a low price. And since vendors follow trends, they often abandon computer systems that drop into the "real bargain" range, so bargain basement prices are rare on new computers. If you choose this route, remember to make sure you get the minimum requirements and make sure you're getting a reliable system.

MINIMUM REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS
DESKTOPS	LAPTOPS
Pentium III(or equivalent) 800 MHz processor
256MB RAM
10GB Hard Drive
3.5" Floppy Drive
CD-ROM Drive
Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional *NOTE* Windows XP HOME Edition is not compatible with our network.
56K modem
Sound Card to support RealPlayer (or RealPlayer equivalent) feed
14" or 15" color monitor .28mm dot pitch	Available PC Card/Card Bus Slots (for network card)
	10 Base - T Ethernet Card

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