Computer Recommendations for CS Majors
The department often gets asked what kind of computer a future computer science major should buy. The answer to that question can be fairly complex, so we have put together this page to answer those questions. If, after reading this page, you still have questions, you can contact the department's network administrator at wsp at cs.olemiss.edu or (662) 915-7310.
First of all, the department does not require that students have a computer. The department has several general-purpose labs for the students to use. However, it is recommended that students have their own computer.
Desktop vs. Laptop
We are often asked whether a student should get a desktop or a laptop. The short answer is, "it depends." Desktops are cheaper, more expandable, and often have a longer life. However, the portability of a laptop can be very handy. You can carry them to class, a study group, or home for the weekend. The bottom line is that you must decide if the portability is worth it to you.
Below are specifications for a good desktop and laptop computer systems. They are not top-of-the-line system. We find that it is most cost efficient to buy computers that are slightly less than top-of-the-line. We try to keep the specifications up to date as much as possible, but we have included a date below to show when they were last updated.
Specifications -- Desktop
Updated: February 25, 2009
| Component | Specification | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Pentium Dual Core 2.33GHz or better | More Info |
| Memory (RAM) | 2 GB | More Info |
| Hard Drive | 500 GB, 7200 rpm, SATA | More Info |
| Optical Drive(s) | DVD+/-RW Drive | More Info |
| Sound Card | Any | More Info |
| Graphics Card | See note. | More Info |
| Monitor | 19" Flat CRT or 17" LCD monitor | More Info |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Standard Keyboard and Optical Mouse | More Info |
| Network Adapter | Gigabit Ethernet Adapter | More Info |
Specifications -- Laptop
Updated: February 25, 2009
| Component | Specification | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Pentium Dual Core 2.00GHz or better | More Info |
| Memory (RAM) | 2 GB | More Info |
| Hard Drive | 500 GB, 7200 rpm, SATA | More Info |
| Optical Drive(s) | DVD+/-RW Drive | More Info |
| Sound Card | Any | More Info |
| Graphics Card | See note. | More Info |
| Monitor | 17" or 15" LCD monitor | More Info |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Standard Keyboard and Optical Mouse | More Info |
| Network Adapter | Gigabit Ethernet Adapter and 802.11g Wireless Adapter | More Info |
Processor
The speed of a processor is not really a good indicator of how much work it can do. However, it's the best we have right now. Some computers, especially laptops, have a much lower clock speed but still get the same amount of work done.
Memory
The department no longer orders computers with less than 1 GB of memory. Memory has gotten cheaper over the last few years and is a great way to speed up a system.
Hard Drive
We recommend an 500 GB hard drive. Most people can probably get by with a smaller drive, but the price difference between them is often very small. Be sure to get a 7200 rpm drive. 5400 rpm drives are significantly slower. If you plan on collecting a large number of audio or video files, you might want to get a bigger drive.
Optical Drive(s)
The department has started getting both a DVD+/-RW drive and a DVD-ROM drive on all its desktop computers. There are lots of advantages to having two drives, and it is often cheaper than getting a combo drive. Some students may want to have a DVD writer on their system, however, they are not needed for any CS classes.
Laptops will rarely have more than one optical drive. A DVD+/-RW drive is recommended.
Sound Card
The sound card in your system is not particularly important for our purposes. An integrated card will work just fine in most cases. If you want a higher end card, Creative Labs is a good choice for desktops.
Graphics Card
For desktops, we prefer non-integrated graphics cards. We always get 256 MB ATI or nVidia cards. However, for most people, integrated cards are probably okay unless you want to play newer games.
For laptops, you won't be able to get around integration. Even still, 256 MB of memory should be a minimum.
Monitor
LCD monitors are getting more and more popular. They use less power, take up less space, and are easier on the eyes. However, they are also more expensive. Make sure you get a digital LCD monitor, as the analog ones provide no better picture than a CRT.
Desktops should consider at least a 17" display. An even larger display can have its advantages. Once you start your coursework, you may find you want to have many windows in the screen simultaneously, and a good size monitor will be helpful.
Laptop prices can increase dramatically with screen size, so you may want to consider a smaller screen. Even still, 15" should be a minimum. Smaller "mini laptops" with 11" or 13" screens are not recommended unless you also purchase an external LCD monitor.
Keyboard and Mouse
In our experience optical mice are worth the extra money. They are much more reliable than regular mice.
Laptops can benefit from external keyboards and mice. While they might not travel well, they just make operating the computer easier. As this is a major where you'll spend a lot of time at the computer, ease of use is a major consideration.
Network Adapter
For most home use, 10/100 Base-T adapters are fine. The choke point is generally going to be the Internet connection rather than any LAN connections. Gigabit, however, is becoming ubiquitous and often is no more expensive than 10/100 Base-T.
At the university, however, we have Gigabit switches and an Internet connection capable of taking advantage of Gigabit. If you buy a laptop, Gigabit ethernet adapters are a good investment.
We also have a campus-wide wireless network for students and faculty to use. As such, with a laptop, a wireless adapter is a good idea. The current standard is 802.11g.
Other
Your computer should support USB 2.0. This allows you to take advantage of modern peripherals such as printers, scanners, cameras, and various storage devices. Firewire is similar to USB, but is faster. It is used on digital video cameras and some external storage devices. Firewire is nice, but is not necessary for our purposes. The same is true of Bluetooth.
A memory card reader is generally not required for school work. An ever-increasing amount of peripheral devices (digital camers, phones, etc.) are using SD cards, and if you're buying a new computer, a memory card reader might be something to consider. If you use peripherals that use memory cards, a reader in your computer would make your life a bit easier.
The above specifications are for new computers. If you have an older computer, it may still be adequate. If you'd like to know if your existing computer would be adequate for a CS major, please contact us.
Brands
We don't really recommend a certain vendor, but we have order nearly all our computers from Dell recently. Other respected computer manufacturers include IBM, Gateway, HP, and Sony. Several of these vendors offer discounts to students. The University has special arrangements with several vendors to provide discounts to students.
Apple makes very good computers. They are more expensive than "PCs," but are generally considered better. However, Apple computers run a different operating system, Mac OS X. They can do anything a computer running Windows can do, but they do it a little differently.
Network Connectivity
The University of Mississippi has Internet connections in all dorms and academic buildings. To take advantage of this, your computer should have an ethernet card. Most computers come with them preinstalled now. If you need to buy one for your computer 3com, NetGear, and LinkSys are good brands. You'll also need a network cable with RJ-45 plugs on each end to reach from your computer's ethernet card to the wall.
Wireless
The building the department is housed in is equipped with wireless ethernet. Our wireless network should be accessible from anywhere in the building. Several other buildings on campus also have wireless ethernet. Currently we have both 802.11b and 802.11a. To use this technology you'll need a wireless card that supports one of these protocols. An 802.11g card will work with the 802.11b protocol. Unless you have a portable computer you shouldn't worry about wireless ethernet.
Software
Operating System
Most computer science majors will use Microsoft Windows XP Professional as their operating system. The department has a site license for several Microsoft products that extends to students. Most computers today come pre-installed with Windows Vista, and many students choose to take advantage of our XP license to "downgrade" their systems to XP. This software is free to Comptuer Science students.
Others in the department run Linux as their operating system. Linux is a free operating system developed by volunteers. It includes all the applications found in Windows as well as some tools not normally found on Windows.
Other Software
If you're running Microsoft Windows, the most important piece of software on your computer is your Antivirus software. There are lots of Windows viruses out there, and you need to know if you've got one. The University has Symantec Antivirus software available for students. See our software page for details.
Many students find Microsoft Office useful in their classes. If you're buying a new computer, Office can usually be purchased along with it. The University also has a deal with Microsoft to offer Office at an academic discount. If you don't want to spend money on Microsoft Office, OpenOffice is a free alternative that can do nearly everything Microsoft Office can do.
Most software vendors give heavy discounts to college students. See our software page for special information on software available through our department and the University.
Useful Peripherals
The department offers free printing in its labs, but most students find it convenient to have a printer in their dorm or apartment. Most students have color ink-jet printers, but small laser printers are more economical if you're printing all black and white. HP has been making good printers for a long time.
USB thumb drives are a fairly new idea. Small enough to fit on a keychain, they can hold anywhere from 1 to 12 GB. They start out at around $10. They are extremely handy for transporting data from the dorm to the labs. All our labs have accessible USB ports, so the thumb drives are easy to hook up. Memorex and Lexar are among the companies that make thumb drives.
Digital cameras are rapidly becoming less expensive and higher quality. Low-end cameras can be bought for less than $100. Pictures (and in some cases, movies) can be uploaded directly from the camera to your computer using USB or Firewire. They can then be emailed to friends or family. Digital cameras are an excellent way to document your college experience.
More Information
If you still have questions about buying a computer, please contact the department's network administrator at wsp at cs.olemiss.edu or (662) 915-7310.
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 25, 2009