Hardware Recommendations
At the request of new Rice parents, IT staff members created a minimum specification (spec) list for a general undergraduate computer.
PCs - minimum specifications
- 2.60 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor (ie: Intel core i5-2540M)
- 4 GB of system memory
- 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless card (ie: Intel Advance-N 62052)
- 320 GB of hard drive capacity or local memory
- RW DVD/CD Drive
- Audio output capability
- Internet access capability
- Gigabit ethernet card
- Warranty for 4 years
Macs - minimum specifications
It's easy to buy the right Mac these days. The rule to remember is buy the model up from the base unit. Apple presents three configurations of each model, the one in the middle is usually a safe choice. Most of our recommendations are already standard in Macs. Shop Now
- Go for the most power currently available and in your budget
- Minimum 4GB RAM
- Firewire 800 ports preferred,but not required
- Drive spin speed minimum 5400 rpm if you plan to edit video or audio files
- Apple Protection Plan for 4 years
Linux - minimum specifications
If you are looking at Linux, you probably already know what you want, but here is the list for a general undergraduate computer anyway.
- Certified to run red Hat enterprise Linux (RHEL)
- A modern processor (at least 1GHz)
- 4 GB of system memory (more is preferred depending on your computing needs)
- 320 GB hard drive (more preferred depending on your data storage needs)
- RW DVD/CD Drive
- Gigabit ethernet card
Other Items
- To connect to the network cable jacks in the dorm rooms, you will need an Ethernet cable (25 feet is an adequate length). Yes, there is a wireless network (802.11 a/b/g/n), but in peak traffic times, your data will flow much faster over the wired network.
- A personal printer is recommended for students for the sake of convenience. Each college computer lab, plus the labs in Fondren Library and Mudd Lab, have printers. Printing costs 6¢ per page (black and white), but paper disappears quickly.
- Please bring a USB flash drive, thumb drive or other external hard drive to campus to facilitate backups and file transfers.Further questions can be directed to helpdesk@rice.edu.