Get the Right Computer

Recommendations for Windows
Recommendations for Mac
Notre Dame Computer Store (Students ONLY)
Campus Workstation Program & Procurement (Faculty/Staff ONLY)
Unsupported Technology

Recommended Computer Specifications

A computer that meets the specifications below is expected to last 3 - 4 years on the Notre Dame network, with appropriate operating system and other software updates.  To conserve desk space and for convenience and mobility when studying, we recommend that students purchase laptops.

Recommendations for Windows - Academic Year 2009/2010

• Vista Business or Ultimate (32-bit)
• XP Professional (XP is currently supported by the OIT, but will not be available from Microsoft after June 30, 2008).

NOTE: Other versions or editions of these Operating Systems have reduced functionality and may limit your access to some central services and applications. Upgrades to these Operating Systems are available at significant cost savings from the ND Computer Store.

Note! When running Windows Vista, the more RAM and video RAM you have available, the better your experience will be. If you are considering upgrading an existing computer to Vista, Microsoft has published a Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to help you decide if your computer is ready to run Windows Vista. For additional information about Windows Vista at ND visit http://oit.nd.edu/msvista.

Recommended Hardware Configuration:

• Dual core Processor with a speed of at least 2.4 GHz
• 4 GB of RAM or higher
• 150 GB (or more) hard disk space total
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128MB or higher (Look for Vista Premium Ready sticker)
• DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, 10/100/1000 NIC, 802.11b/g Wireless for laptops

Recommended for Macintosh - Academic Year 2009/2010

• Mac OS 10.4 (aka Tiger) OR
• Mac OS 10.5 (aka Leopard)

NOTE: Older versions of the Macintosh operating system may limit your access to some central services and applications which may be essential to your academic work. For additional information about OS X at ND visit http://oit.nd.edu/osx. Upgrades to these Operating Systems are available at significant cost savings from the ND Computer Store.

Recommended Hardware Configuration:

• Intel based Mac
• 4 GB RAM or higher
• 150 GB (or more) hard drive space total
• Free Space on Hard Drive: 5 - 10 GB (or more)
• DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, 10/100/1000 NIC, 802.11b/g/n Wireless for laptops

 

Notre Dame Computer Store (Students ONLY)

The Notre Dame Computer Store offers excellent discount pricing for students on a variety of computer hardware, software, and equipment. Notre Dame also has a special license for SIGNIFICANTLY reduced costs for the Microsoft Office suite.

Campus Workstation Program & Procurement (Faculty/Staff ONLY)

Notre Dame has setup a program, known as the Campus Workstation Program (CWP), to help faculty and staff get computers necessary for their positions at the University and to keep those computers updated on a regular basis.

Unsupported Technology

The OIT will NOT assist in connecting the following systems and technology to the network. 

• Game Systems (e.g., XBox, Sony PlayStation, etc.) - Note: Although we do not support game devices, instructions to provide you the ability to register today's most popular network-enabled games for use on the ND network are available here.
• Wireless Routers/Airports & Network Routers/Hubs - The wireless network is available in all residence halls. To prevent problems you might cause for other users, do NOT install these on the Notre Dame network.  The owner of any wireless access point, AirPort, or router is responsible for any unauthorized access to the Notre Dame network that is gained through an unsecure wireless access point, AirPort, or router.  The OIT reserves the right to take down any wireless access point or AirPort if it causes interferece with the campus wireless netowrks or any other officially sanctioned Notre Dame service operating in the 2.4 GHz spectrum.
• Windows 2000 and lower
• UNIX
• Linux
• Macintosh OS 10.3 and lower

Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Apple, Mac OS X and the Apple logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.