Computer Tips

Operating system ::

• Windows XP Professional (not Home) -- or Vista, if you must
• Mac OS X (10)

Choose one of these, based on your personal preferences and experience. Other operating systems may not provide the ability to run software you will need as a graduate student.

In the College of Journalism and Communications, most faculty use Windows, but there are also many Mac systems in use here.

If you already own a computer with another operating system, it MAY NOT be necessary to change it.

Laptop/notebook vs. desktop ::
The primary issue is portability (see WEIGHT, below) vs. price.

After that, the most significant differences are:

• The desktop screen may be larger or easier to read (depending on price); see below.
• The desktop may have more hard drive capacity.
• The desktop is easier (and less expensive) to expand or upgrade in the future.

WEIGHT: There are laptops that weigh less than 3 lbs. Lighter ones cost more. The total weight will be important if you are carrying it around campus. Make sure you include the battery weight in your consideration.

NETBOOKS: A "netbook" is a small laptop computer. The screen is very small. The primary use for a netbook is access to e-mail and quick Web searches. Here is a good article to read before buying a netbook.

Hardware ::

• Hard drive capacity: Buy the biggest you can afford. Not less than 100 GB (laptop). For a desktop, look at 300 GB and up.
• RAM: Buy the most you can afford. 2 GB will be fine for most applications, but if you edit video, sound, or photos for print media, you should have more. If it's only a matter of $100, get 4 GB.
• Processor: Intel and AMD make the processors used in most current computers, including the new Macs. A 2 GHz processor is fine. The fast ones are greater than 2 GHz (but 3 GHz will cost!).
• CD or DVD drive: 24x (and up) is a good speed for a CD drive. 8x (and up) is fine for DVD. Combo CD-DVD drives are common now. Most can write to blank DVDs; these cost more than CDs and are not needed unless you are copying video. Just make sure you have something that can read from a CD (to install software). The ability to write to (burn) a DVD can be useful.
• Networking, e.g. Ethernet (requires a wire to connect).
• Wireless networking, i.e. 802.11 or IEEE 802.11n wireless. You SHOULD have this on ANY laptop/notebook. Make sure it HAS wireless, not just "wireless capability."
• Bluetooth is NOT wireless networking. It allows your computer to communicate with other Bluetooth devices.
• Speakers: You probably want them, so get them when you buy the computer. On a laptop/notebook, they are built in. You can use any earbuds or headphones with a laptop.
• Mouse or pointing device: You can always buy a replacement if you don't like the one that came with your desktop. The "input device" on a laptop is built in, but you can add a mouse if you like. Test the laptop's input device in a store before you buy to see whether you hate it.
• Batteries: The "battery life" is very important for a laptop. Compare the manufacturer's claims and expect the actual "life" (functional time until it needs recharging) of the battery to be LESS than the manufacturer says it is.
• Power supply: An A/C adapter comes with a laptop/notebook so you can plug it in; it also recharges the battery.

Ports and jacks (connectors) ::

• USB: Usually there are at least two USB ports, and today they are "USB 2.0" (MUCH faster than plain USB, or USB 1.0). You can add a USB hub if you need more USB ports later. You should own at least one USB "flash drive" or "thumb drive" to carry files with you -- these come in sizes from less than 1 GB to 32 GB or more. Prices are good (about $20) for 8 GB. See Amazon.com for examples.
• Serial: Not used much now.
• Parallel: One parallel port is normal; used to connect to some printers; however, most printers today use USB 2.0.
• Video: This is where you plug in the monitor; for a laptop, use it to plug in a projector to give a presentation, or a connect to a big monitor at home.
• Ethernet or LAN: RJ-45 (plug in a network cable).
• Microphone: Audio in or "mic input."
• Headphones/speakers: Audio out or "line out."
• Memory card slot(s): Some laptops have these. You do not need them. Your digital camera probably uses a "flash memory" card. There are numerous types or formats for these cards, such as SD. The formats are NOT interchangeable. You can buy a card reader that uses USB, or you can connect your camera directly to the computer with a USB cable.
• IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.Link: Used for video editing and some high-speed external hard drives. Not essential if you never shoot video.
• S-Video: You might use this to play DVDs from your notebook computer on your TV, or to use in video editing. Not essential.
• Docking: Sometimes you get a "docking station" with a laptop/notebook; it provides some of your ports on an external device.

Monitors and screens ::

Computer screens are measured in both inches (diagonal, like a TV) and resolution. Another consideration is the dot pitch or contrast ratio, which indicate sharpness.

Most people today set their screen at one of these two resolutions:

• 1280 x 960 (or x 800)
• 1024 x 768

There are higher resolutions, such as 1600 x 1280. (These all have an "aspect ratio" of 4:3, but for widescreen DVDs, you would want an aspect ratio of 16:9, or 1280 x 800. The 15-inch MacBook Pro is 1440 x 900, a 16:10 aspect ratio.) Resolution refers to the width and height of the full screen in pixels, which are the dots of light that make up the image on a computer screen. A screen measurement in inches tells you nothing about resolution.

Flat screens (LCDs) vs. CRTs: The flat screen has become standard. There is no flicker and no glare on an LCD.

LCDs: Contrast ratio applies mainly to LCDs; a ratio of 400:1 is very good. A higher number is better than a lower number.

Laptop/notebook screens: The size in inches of the laptop screen affects the overall size and WEIGHT of the laptop, so before you decide you want a giant screen, find out how much it weighs!