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This Buying Guide is designed for incoming Wharton MBA and Undergraduate students entering Wharton in the Fall of 2007.  It will help you make the most of the wide range of computing resources and services available to you while you are a student.  To effectively use these services, and to actively participate in Wharton's computing environment, you will need three things:

• A computer system that meets Wharton's recommended standards
• Basic email and productivity software
• An Internet Service Provider (ISP)

The computer recommendations in this guide are helpful to students purchasing a new system as well as for students considering the use of an older system.  As you make your decision, keep in mind that systems tested and developed for business environments tend to be more stable and reliable than similar systems designed for home environments.

New Wharton students should first consider purchasing a new computer, making sure it has a current and comprehensive warranty and sufficient support offerings.  If a new system is out of the question, an older computer may be adequate for temporary use.  We recommend that you read this guide in its entirety so that you understand the system features that will enhance your experience in Wharton's computing environment.  After you have read this guide, refer to the Minimum Specifications for Current Systems section to make an educated decision about whether or not your current system will meet your individual needs.

Wharton does not recommend computers that have been used in a corporate or company environment.  These machines prove problematic since differences between individual company configurations and the school's configurations cause conflicts that Wharton's Computer Consultants are often unable to resolve.  In many cases these machines need to be reformatted, and in most cases the employers have not provided the original Operating System disks for the computer.  These machines are not supported by Wharton's Computer Consultants.

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to buy a desktop or laptop computer.

Two-year MBA students frequently find that portability outweighs a laptop's shorter life span and higher cost.

Four-year undergraduate students may need the expansion options typically offered by a desktop.  Undergraduates who purchase laptops should consider a high-end system or be prepared to either replace it or tolerate its limitations after a few years.

Other purchase considerations should include the following items:

Price:  Laptops are typically more expensive than similarly configured desktop computers.

Expected Lifetime:  Laptops frequently have shorter life spans due to daily wear-and-tear.

Options:  Laptops typically have fewer expansion options and are therefore more difficult to upgrade to meet changing computing standards.

Lifestyle:  Laptops are portable; desktops aren't.  Will you need to compute "on the go?"

On-Campus Network Access:  Laptops can access the University's network via an Ethernet or wireless connection.

Note on desktop cases:  If you plan to purchase a desktop system, give some thought to the type of case that houses the system.  A "low-profile chasis", which sits flat on your desk in a horizontal position, can be easier to transport but a "tower" chasis, which typically sits on the floor and is vertically oriented, can save desk space and usually offers more expansion slots.

Note on laptop weight:  When purchasing a laptop, you'll need to consider the weight of the laptop you will be purchasing.  Choose a laptop that you can easily transport on-campus.  Jon M. Huntsman Hall offers lockers to MBA and Undergraduate students which may provide a location to store some of your books and/or your laptop during the day.  However, you will still need to carry it to and from school, around the airport, etc.  As always, consider your own needs carefully.

Class projects and assignments will be assigned assuming you are using a Windows-based PC, so there is limited support for Macintosh computers at Wharton. If you are determined to use a Mac, you should be prepared to deal with occasional software and configuration incompatibilities that Wharton Computer Consultants may not be able to resolve.  You should also be prepared to do some of your school work in the computer labs, since you may need Windows to do some of your assignments. 

 

Listed below are some options that are available to you for purchasing your new computer. It is recommended that you review the options listed below before making your computer purchase to determine what option is best for you.

Penn Computer Connection

Students are encouraged to review the advice in this guide when shopping for a new computer to ensure that your chosen system will be acceptable for use at Wharton.  While there are many computer retail outlets available to you, one of the best places to purchase computers for use at Wharton is Penn's Computer Connection. Purchasing from the Computer Connection gives you access to knowledgeable staff and allows you to leverage the relationship they have with the computer vendors.  Also, when purchasing from the Computer Connection you may receive a better warranty than you would normally get from an outside vendor. 

The Computer Connection holds a Back-to-School sale each year, offering both laptops and desktops from several computer manufacturers at discounted academic prices to Penn students, faculty and staff.  These computers typically meet or exceed the specifications in this guide.

All incoming students receive information over the summer from the Computer Connection regarding the Back-to-School Sale. Online orders are taken during the summer months, and students have the option of either shipping their system to their home address during June and July, or picking it up when they arrive on campus.  MBAs can pick up systems during Pre-Term; Undergraduates can pick up systems during Move-In. Online purchases may be paid for with a credit card or by charging it to your University bill. 

For more information on availability and prices at the Computer Connection store, watch for the mailing or contact:

Note:  The Computer Connection is a seperate entity from Wharton Computer Consulting.  Wharton Computer Consulting provides consulting and first-tier troubleshooting services for a student's computing issues.  However, if you have a problem with your computer's hardware you will need to work with the Computer Connection or the manufacturer of your computer to get your problem resolved.

Online Stores

While at first glance most online sites provide attractive pricing, make sure you are buying a system that will meet your needs.  Many Internet companies will not check that you have ordered compatible equipment nor will most provide help to get your system up and running. Also, warranties, return policies and delivery schedules vary widely.  The supplier who quotes you the lowest price may not be offering the best value.

Before buying online, check the company's reputation, warranty, return policy and support services.  If they have a technical support line, we suggest calling first to discuss the equipment.  This will give you an idea of the level of support you can expect from the manufacturer.  For those less familiar with computers, we suggest obtaining the help of an experienced user if you want to make an online purchase.

Computer Stores

Retail computer stores vary widely in terms of service and support.  Consider using a computer dealer that's local to Wharton.  You will be able to get direct service and support without having to ship your system back to the store.

While outside of your dorm, apartment or other personal living area, you will need to consider how to connect to the University network.  There are two options available for connectivity while on-campus such as inside buildings like the Library or Jon M. Huntsman Hall.  For the most part either option is perfectly acceptable.  Your choice may rely more on the hardware available with your computer.

Wireless Connectivity

Laptop users can connect to a high-speed wireless network in most of the University's public areas. Most laptops today come with built-in wireless cards. If your laptop doesn’t have a built-in wireless card then you will need a wireless network adapter to use this service. Details can be found under the Network Adapter section below.

Note: By design, the Wharton wireless network is not available in the classroom facilities at Wharton.

Wired Connections

Wharton and Penn also offer high-speed connectivity for laptops through traditional Ethernet wall jacks. A number of Ethernet connections are available for student use in Huntsman Hall.  These are located in the MBA Cafe, the group workstations and group study rooms.  Ethernet connections are also available in many of the libraries throughout campus. To use these connections, you need a traditional Ethernet adapter and an Ethernet cable. Details are included in the Network Adapter section below.

Note:  An Ethernet cable may not have been included with the purchase of your laptop.  Wharton Computer Consulting does not supply Ethernet cables to students.  You may need to purchase an Ethernet cable to connect to the network, which are available at the Computer Connection.

You will need to access the Internet and University network services in order to read email and complete assignments. On-campus housing provides high-speed Internet access (ResNet). If you don't live in ResNet (on-campus) housing, you must choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a connection technology (DSL, cable modem, etc.) to provide Internet access.  Wharton Computing recommends that you select a commercial ISP providing high-speed broadband access.

Penn computing provides information on their website about the Internet access options available to students and highlights some of the Internet Service Providers in the Philadelphia area.  This information is online at http://www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/matrix.html.  For more information on network hardware, please see the Network Adapter section of this guide.

The Penn web page mentioned above (http://www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/matrix.html) provides more information on connection technologies, but a brief description of each follows.

High-Speed Cable Access

Cable modems use your cable access to provide a constant "always on" connection. While it can be more expensive than a DSL connection, cable can be extremely fast. Speed can vary slightly depending on the number of users online at once, and cable is not available in all locations. This connection type will only be available at home, so you will need to supplement it with another choice if you travel with a laptop.

Note:  Cable modem installation and the activation of your Internet service could take some time.  If possible, please prepare ahead of time for your cable modem installation or be prepared to be without Internet service at your residence until your installation/setup is completed.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

DSL also provides a constant "always on" fast connection but uses your telephone wiring instead.  By using a different part of your phone line's bandwidth, DSL makes it possible to use your phone at the same time as you surf the Internet.  DSL is not available in all locations so you will need to check its availability with your provider.  If you plan to order DSL, do so when you order your phone service as it can take several weeks for installation/setup to be completed.  Like a cable modem, this connection will only be available to you at home, so you will need to supplement it with another choice if you travel with a laptop.

Note:  DSL installation and activation can take some time.  If possible, please prepare ahead of time for your DSL installation or be prepared to be without Internet service at your residence until your installation/activation is completed.

ResNet

If you live in a University residence, you can connect to the Internet wirelessly or via Ethernet.  AirPennNet (a division of Penn’s wireless network) and ResNet (Penn's Ethernet network) are available in most college houses. For more information on the Internet access options available in University residences, contact your student residence, call 215-573-9473, or visit the College House Computing web site at: http://www.rescomp.upenn.edu/. This connection is only available on campus, so you will need to supplement it with another choice if you travel with a laptop.

Processor Type

Desktop Recommendation: Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon X2

The Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon X2 processors are both appropriate choices for a desktop system. These chips will provide you the power you need for good Windows Vista performance.  You may also encounter Intel's Celeron and AMD's Sempron processors, which are less expensive and represent Intel's and AMD's value-priced offerings.  They can be appropriate choices for budget systems but if you can afford to choose, we recommend the Pentium Core 2 Duo or Athlon X2. If you purchase a computer with one of these processors your system's performance may not be as high.

Laptop Recommendation: Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo mobile

Centrino is the brand-name of Intel's latest mobile technology and can only be applied to laptops that offer the Pentium M processor and two other components specified by Intel.  Although Centrino Duo laptops are slightly more expensive, the models that are currently on the market outperform their competitors and offer significantly longer battery life.

Processor Speed

Desktop Recommendation: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0 GHz or Athlon X2 @ 2.0 GHz
Laptop Recommendation:  Intel Core 2 Duo mobile @ 2.0 GHz

The processor's clock speed is measured in cycles per second, or "gigahertz" (GHz).  The processor does all of your computer's "thinking."  The higher the frequency of your processor the faster your computer can calculate instructions given from hardware components and software running on your computer.  As you shop, be aware that the differences in architecture (pipelines, cache, etc.) can result in two processors with the same clock speed but different levels of performance.

We recommend buying the fastest processor that you can afford, but recognize that there is a price premium on the fastest chip in any processor family.  For the best value, you can look for a processor speed that is a notch or two below the fastest speed in that particular family.

Note:  Choosing a processor with a higher frequency for your computer doesn't necessarily make it a high performance computer.  Be aware that dual-core processors, such as Intel's Pentium D or AMD's Athlon 64 X2, have lower listed clock speeds than the best single-core CPUs available since there are actually two processing cores on the chip.  These two cores run parallel to each other, allowing them to operate at slower individual speeds and resulting in lower heat output.  Also, there are other factors like memory and hard space that play an integral role in having a high performance computer.


Memory/RAM

Desktop Recommendation: 2GB (gigabytes)
Laptop Recommendation:  2GB (gigabytes)

Buying a system with these memory (RAM) specifications ensures optimal software performance.  The more RAM you have, the more programs you can have open and running on your system at one time.  If your system's base configuration doesn't meet these recommendations, you can typically increase the memory size for an additional price during the customization stage.  Check with your vendor for details.

Hard Drives

Desktop Recommendation:  160 GB (gigabytes) or greater
Laptop Recommendation:  120 GB (gigabytes)

Buy the largest hard drive you can afford.  Upgrading to a larger hard drive once the original is filled with gigabytes of data can be extremely cumbersome, and in order to upgrade you may have to replace the original drive altogether (almost always the case with laptops).  Make sure that your hard drive has at least a 7200 rpm (rotations per minute) spindle speed for fast read/write capabilities.

Note:  Laptops may come with hard drives rated at only 5400 rpm.  This is not uncommon and may be your only choice.  If there is an option for a 7200 rpm hard drive, we recommend you take that instead.


Optical Disc Drives

Recommendation:  DVD±RW/CD-RW or DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive

Optical drives allow you to save your work to either CD or DVD, depending on the type of drive you purchase.  Besides allowing you to store a large amount of data [up to 700MB (megabytes) for CDs and 5GB-9GB (gigabytes) for DVDs], the discs are relatively small, making them easy to carry around.  The trade-off for their large storage capacities is their fragility; the smallest of scratches to the discs can render data inaccessible.  Listed below are the three most common configurations of optical drives.

CD-RW Drive

CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drives

DVD±RW Drive



Additional Drives

Optional:  External Hard Drive; USB Flash Drive

You will find it beneficial to purchase additional drives, such as external hard drives and flash drives.  These drives are not required but save time when backing up and sharing data. We strongly suggest you look over the options available to you when purchasing your system. Note that, unlike some internal components of computers, external drives can easily be taken from one computer to another, possibly saving you money on future computer purchases. 

External Hard Drive

USB Flash Drives


Back-up and Storage

Desktop & Laptop Recommendations:  Any of the following perphirals can be used as back-up and storage devices, (DVD±RW; External Hard Drive; CD-RW; USB Flash Drive).

It's very important to backup your work on a regular basis!  If you don't, you risk losing everything if your system fails or gets a virus.  Never rely upon a single copy of a file.  For example, if all of your files exist only on your hard drive, and your hard drive fails, data recovery is extremely expensive and sometimes impossible.  If the only copy of your term paper is on a floppy disk and the disk fails (or you lose it), you could lose all your work.

Floppy disks are not adequate for backup purposes – they hold too little and fail too often.  We recommend that at the very least you periodically backup your personal data (papers, notes, etc.) using a more reliable media such as a DVD+R/RW (or -R/RW), external hard drive, CD-RW, or USB flash drive.  Alternatively, there are also many good software packages whose sole function is to make the backup task easier and automated.

Listed below are some possible backup options. Select one or a combination of options depending on your hardware and the amount of data you need to backup:

External Hard Drive

DVD+R/RW (or -R/RW)

CD-R/RW

Note:  CD-R and DVD+/-R discs can only be written to once.  If you want to add more files at a later time, use a CD-RW or DVD+/-RW disc.

For a complete list of data backup options, visit the Wharton Computer Consulting website.


Audio Accessories

An increasing number of Wharton assignments make use of online applications that include sound. Your machine will need to be equipped with a sound card, and you are likely to need a set of speakers, headphones, and a microphone at some point. If you are working in a Wharton lab and are using an application that includes audio, you will need to provide your own headphones and microphone.

The quality of these accessories depends entirely on which computer system you purchase (they need to be compatible) and how much you want to spend.

Monitors / Displays

Desktop Recommendation: 19" Flat Panel
Laptop Recommendation: 14" or 15" Regular or Wide-screen Display

The monitor is your main point of interaction with the computer; make sure the quality of your monitor matches the quality of your system and that you like to look at it. Probably the best way to judge the quality of a monitor or display screen is to find a sample system in a computer store and look at it. This is particularly true of laptops, where screens with the same specifications can look very different.

Flat Panel Displays for Desktop Systems (LCDs)
Flat panels ensure optimal focus and image crispness, and can save a great deal of desk space. A flat panel will also have what is called a 'native resolution', which is the resolution at which it produces the best image; other resolutions will not display as crisply. Generally, flat panels are slightly more expensive than traditional monitors if purchased separately. However, prices have dropped dramatically in recent years, and many desktop systems now come standard with a flat panel monitor.

Laptops
For a laptop, choose a screen that is viewable from different angles and easy on the eyes. Also, make sure your laptop has an external video port (sometimes called a 15-pin monitor connector) for connecting to an external monitor or projection system. This is important if you plan on connecting your laptop to the monitors in Wharton's group study rooms.

In most cases, you will not be able to make many choices regarding the LCD screen that comes with your laptop. If you cannot verify the quality of the display in person, you might consider checking reviews of the laptop's display at sites such as http://reviews.cnet.com and http://www.epinions.com.

Video Cards

Remember that your monitor's display quality also depends on the quality of your video card. If you purchase a high-quality, large screen, pair it with a video card that has high resolution/refresh capabilities.

Note: To utilize the high-graphic capabilities in Windows Vista, you must purchase a discrete video card that has at least 128 MB of RAM and supports DirectX 9. Discrete video cards differ from integrated graphics in that they have their own high speed memory allotted for their use and are usually separate from the motherboard. We recommend that you purchase a 256 MB discrete video card.

Network Connectivity

Recommendation: Read the Internet Access recommendations earlier in this guide. The hardware you require will depend on where you plan to live and whether or not you intend to bring a laptop to school. Once you know which connection types you will be using, check below for specific hardware recommendations.

Ethernet: Ethernet Adapter
To take advantage of the high-speed connectivity of ResNet, wiring and other campus Ethernet jacks, you need an Ethernet adapter and network cable. Many new laptops and desktops, including the models sold by Penn's Computer Connection, come with built-in Ethernet adapters.

Wireless: 802.11g Wireless Network Adapter
Penn's wireless network, available in public area's of Wharton's buildings and elsewhere on campus, provides high-speed access to the Internet without the need for a network cable or a wall jack. The network currently uses an 802.11g specification. When purchasing a wireless card it should have an 802.11g, 802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g adapter. (Wharton does not support the Bluetooth wireless protocol).

If the laptop or device you're purchasing does not come with an integrated 802.11g wireless network adapter, you will need to purchase one separately in order to take advantage of the wireless network. For better performance, the University recommends the Cisco Aironet wireless card or the Belkin Wireless Notebook Network Card.

Printers

A high-quality printer is an essential system component. Laser printers offer higher quality, faster printing and can handle a large number of copies at a time, although they can be larger and initially more expensive than inkjets. On the other hand, inkjets are initially less expensive than laser printers although their supply costs tend to be higher over time and are better if you plan to print pictures and graphics. If you are considering an inkjet, keep in mind that printouts can smear relatively easily, and you should choose a brand that does not require you to purchase proprietary ink cartridges.

Mobile Devices

Smartphones and Handheld Pocket PCs are popular among Wharton students. Many students use their handhelds to access their email and the Internet through the wireless network. Handhelds are not required, and keep in mind that they are not a substitute for a regular computer. If you do decide to get a handheld, note that devices running the Palm or Windows CE operating system are the most compatible in Wharton's computing environment. Before purchasing a smartphone/pda device, it is suggested that you view our Handheld buying guide to see which mobile devices are most compatible in Wharton's computing environment: http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/consult/buyguide/pda/pda-guide.cfm.

 

Video Cameras

Some Marketing and Negotiations classes require the use of video cameras for completing assignments. Many students find video cameras advantageous in general for class presentations, so if you have one, we suggest bringing it to school. Students without their own video cameras may borrow one for class presentations from the Instructional Technology division of Wharton Computing. However, loan hours are restricted to regular office hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm; cameras may not be borrowed overnight or on weekends.

Those who may have use for a camera beyond class projects are encouraged to search online buying guides for information and reviews prior to making a purchase. We recommend digital camcorders to better meet your needs while at Wharton and beyond. Students who are unsure of their needs and interests should have plenty of time to decide once they get to Wharton and gain a better understanding of their curricular needs.

The basic software you will need to use as a student is listed below. These recommendations are designed to provide compatibility with the software in Wharton's computer labs and classrooms. When purchasing your system and software, be sure to request disks containing your original software. If your vendor doesn't provide the operating system CD or a recovery CD, be sure to ask about recovery procedures should the system fail.

Operating System

Recommendation: Microsoft Windows Vista (Business or Ultimate Edition) or Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2

All new computers should be purchased with Microsoft Windows Vista Business or Ultimate. Wharton strongly recommends Vista Business or Ultimate over Vista Home, as Vista Home is missing certain security and networking features that are important in Penn's network environment.

Note: Non-English versions of Windows Vista & XP are not supported by Wharton Computer Consultants. Some Wharton services may not work with Foreign Language Operating Systems or Internet browsers.

Productivity Software

Recommendation: Microsoft Office 2007 Professional

Microsoft Office 2007 Small Business or Professional includes Microsoft's Word for word processing, Excel for creating spreadsheets, PowerPoint for preparing presentations, Access for building databases, and Outlook for managing email and calendaring. Office 2007 Professional is installed on all Wharton lab computers.

Note: Microsoft Office 2003 can also be used at Wharton.  

Email / Internet Software

Email Recommendation: Microsoft Outlook 2007
Browser Recommendation: Internet Explorer 7.0

Email
Wharton provides access to electronic mail and other communications services for all Wharton students. While you are a Wharton student, you will have several options for reading and managing your Wharton email account.  In our current mail environment, you will be able to use our Webmail service, forward your Wharton account to an outside email account or connect to your mailbox through the Outlook mail client. If you choose to connect to your Wharton account through Outlook then we recommend that you use Microsoft Outlook 2007 which should be included with Microsoft Office. Once your email account is created, you will receive instructions on configuring Outlook for Wharton's Email servers or forwarding your email to an outside account.

Note: Microsoft Windows Outlook 2003 & Intenet Explorer 6 can be used as an alternate mail program and browser.

Anti-Virus/Firewall
Recommendation: Symantec Anti-Virus
Having anti-virus software that has an update feature is strongly recommended. Wharton and the University distribute copies of Symantec Anti-Virus as a free service – once you have created your Pennkey you will have access to this free service. Other security options that you may want to consider include: installing a software firewall program on your computer and/or connecting a hardware firewall to your provider's connection device. If you are using Windows Vista/XP you should use the built-in firewall that comes with the software. Information on Firewalls, Anti-virus software and enabling Windows XP’s built-in firewall software is available on the Wharton Computing Consulting website.

Internet Browser
Some of Wharton's online services require Microsoft's Internet Explorer; Wharton Computer Consultants recommend version 7.0.
Note: Firefox & Internet Explorer 6.0 can be used as a secondary browser to
Internet Explorer 7.0.

Instructional Software

In addition to the software recommended above, you will use statistical software and other specialized programs in your classes. While this software is available on Wharton's computer labs or Unix host systems, you may want to purchase your own copy of one or more of these programs. Because the specific packages will depend on your courses, you should wait until you start your classes before deciding which additional programs to purchase. Copies of specialized instructional software will often be available at Penn's Computer Connection (http://www.upenn.edu/computerstore).

Note: Be sure to check the software's compatibility with your system before purchasing it.

Caring for your Laptop

The purchase of a laptop is a big investment; therefore it’s vital that you take appropriate steps to protect it. Because they are very fragile and can be easily damaged, you need to take great care in the usage, handling and transport of your laptop.  Common accidents such as dropping the laptop or spilling liquid on it can cause irretreivable loss of important data or programs and it can be very time consuming and expensive to fix. Below is a list of important tips for taking care of your laptop.  Use it as a reminder of steps you can take to keep your laptop safe.

• Do not place your laptop on uneven or unstable work area surfaces.
• Do not expose your computer to liquids or moisture. Be very careful when eating or drinking near your laptop.
• Take care not to drop or place heavy objects on the laptop.
• Do not expose your laptop to dirty or dusty environments.
• Keep your laptop off the floor.
• Avoid walking around with the laptop open and running. You could trip and severely damage it.
• Do not expose your laptop to extreme heat (122°F, 50°C) or extreme cold (below 0°C, 32°F) or direct sunlight.
• Keep your laptop away from strong magnetic or electrical fields.
• Do not touch or splatter liquids onto the screen. The screens are fragile and can get scratched or distorted. Do not use regular window cleaners to clean your laptop screen. You can purchase laptop screen cleaning kits from most computer supply stores.
• Always carry your laptop in a backpack or carrying bag that has a protective pocket specifically made for laptops. Do not carry an unprotected laptop in your backpack along with your books as this can easily damage the laptop. If you must carry it in an unprotected backpack wrap, it with bubble wrap, foam rubber, or other cushioning materials.
• If you don’t already have a backpack that has a protective pocket for laptops, we recommend that you purchase one.  More information on protective backpacks can be found at: http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/packingyourmobilegear/a/bglaptopcase.htm

Choosing Service Agreements

While Wharton's Computer Consultants can troubleshoot minor software issues, you will need to use your service technician or warranty program to fix major problems. Having a comprehensive warranty and service agreement can save you time and expense should your machine require service.

We recommend a 2-3 year service agreement. For convenience, you may also want to make sure that the warranty provides a "rapid-response" plan to minimize any downtime associated with the repair. Check to see if the manufacturer offers nationwide/world-wide, next-business-day, at-your-site options. Some vendors also have special plans that extend the warranty to cover accidental damage or breakage.

If you intend to use a computer provided and configured by your company, make sure they'll be able to support your machine once you are a student. (Company computer setups may cause irresolvable conflicts with the School's configurations and are not supported by Wharton's Computer Consultants).

Wharton Computing Resources

Wharton's computing staff is available to answer questions about School computing and the system options described in this guide. Help and information is available online from the Computing tab in Spike (http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/consult). You can also contact our computer consultants by calling 215-898-8600 or sending an email to: consultant@wharton.upenn.edu .

University Computing Resources

For non-Wharton Computing issues, the Residential Computing Support program provides assistance for freshmen and those living in college houses. Go to http://www.rescomp.upenn.edu for information.

Students living off-campus, and in on-campus residences not supported by Residential computing, may contact the Computing Resource Center (CRC), Suite 202, Sansom West (Grad Tower B), and First Call (215-573-4778 or help@isc.upenn.edu).

For a list of residences and providers, visit http://www.upenn.edu/computing/view/support/student.html

The chart below summarizes the technical specifications provided in this document.

Note: If you have skipped straight to this section, we strongly urge you to read this entire document. Many of your computer-buying decisions require a detailed understanding of the issues and alternatives presented in this guide.

RECOMMENDED configuration for NEW DESKTOP machines
Hardware	Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0 GHz or Athlon X2 @ 2.0GHz
	Memory (RAM)	2 GB
	Hard Disk	160 GB
	Monitor	19-inch flat panel
	Video Card	256 MB discrete video card
	Miscellaneous	DVD multi recorder (±RW) drive, optical mouse
Operating System		Windows Vista (Business or Ultimate Edition) or Windows XP Professional SP2
Network Connection	High Bandwidth	Gigabit Ethernet

RECOMMENDED configuration for NEW LAPTOP machines
Hardware	Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0 GHz
	Memory (RAM)	2 GB
	Hard Disk	120 GB*
	Monitor	14 or 15-inch SXGA+ or WXGA
	Video Card	256 MB discrete video card
	Miscellaneous	DVD multi recorder (±RW) drive, Bluetooth, Laptop Bag (padded)
Operating System		Windows Vista (Business or Ultimate Edition) or Windows XP Professional SP2
Network Connection	High Bandwidth	802.11b/g or a/b/g Wireless Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet

*An 80 GB hard drive is sufficient if you have or are planning on purchasing an External Hard Drive.

Before you decide whether or not to bring your current computer to school with you, we strongly recommend that you read this entire document so that you understand what will be required of your system. The following minimum configurations represent the general-purpose recommendations from three years ago. If your computer meets these recommendations, you can delay purchasing a replacement if you wish. However, you should be prepared to replace your system at short notice, should it fail. Any systems that do not match or exceed the below configuration should be replaced now.

MINIMUM configuration
Hardware	Processor	Centrino Core Duo@(1.83 or 2.0)GHz
	Memory (RAM)	1GB
	Hard Disk	80 GB
	Monitor	14-inch SXGA+ or SXGA
	Miscellaneous	CD-RW /DVD-ROM combo drive
Operating System		Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2
Network Connection	High Bandwidth	802.11 b/g or a/b/g Wireless Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet