Iowa State University IT

Desktop Computer Standards

Before buying a computer, consult with your department or college IT professional for purchase recommendations specific to your area.

Visit Tech CYte, located in the Iowa State University Book Store in the Memorial Union, for assistance in configuring a computer or to obtain pricing. Contact them at techcyte@iastate.edu or 515-294-8357.

Basic Computer Purchasing Guide

  1. Determine your minimum requirements based on what software you will be using and what the minimum requirements of that software are. Most new computers are capable of handling common software tasks such as email, web browsing, and word processing. Non-standard software may require you to increase your minimum requirements.
  2. Research computers in your price range that meet or exceed your minimum requirements. Iowa State University recommends Apple and Dell which are sold through Tech CYte.
  3. Choose a model balancing value and performance. The model you select should last three to five years. Bottom-of-the-line models may become obsolete fast, and top-of-the-line models are usually much more expensive for little performance over lesser models.
  4. Make sure you get enough memory. Today's general purpose computers come standard with 2GB. Consider additional memory based on the applications you will be using.
  5. Make sure you have enough storage. For most business use, where data is stored on a separate server, most standard hard drives provide adequate space for your operating system and applications. For personal use, however, consider spending a few extra dollars to accommodate files such as digital photos, music and video.
  6. Select a monitor based on your preference and comfort. A minimum resolution of 1024x768 is necessary. Be aware that flat LCD displays look their best when operating at their maximum/native resolution. Look for a ratio of the resolution to size of screen that displays text and icons at a size that you are comfortable with. LCDs can look blurry when operated at lower-than-native resolutions.
  7. Select a video card based on your desired application use and Operating System (OS). If running Microsoft Windows Vista, at least 256MB of dedicated DDR2 or faster RAM is recommended; especially if the intended use is to run 3D applications such as CAD or gaming software.
  8. Consider an extended warranty and accidental damage protection.

Support Standards

Computers connected to the campus network and IT infrastructure should meet or exceed these support standards to be supported by IT Services.

Windows Linux Macintosh
Operating System Windows XP Professional SP2 Red Hat Enterprise Linux
(RHEL) 3.0 or newer 		Mac OS X 10.4 or newer
Processor Pentium III or better PowerPC G4 or better
Memory (RAM) 1 GB * 1 GB *

* Additional memory is strongly recommended.

Supported Software and Services

IT Services fully supports a wide range of software and services for Iowa State University students, faculty, and staff. Support for non-standard software or services can also be contracted through IT Services.

Warranty and Repair Services

IT Services Computer Service and Repair will service and repair a wide range of hardware covered under warranty or for a reasonable rate.