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This page explains how to purchase computers and printers if you are a Brandeis faculty or staff member and also for students.
Brandeis has arranged with Dell and Apple Computer for the Brandeis community to purchase new computers at extremely competitive prices. If you are considering the purchase of a new desktop or laptop computer, you will find that these prices are lower than most other name-brand manufacturers for models with the same features. Although you are taking advantage of Brandeis discounts, you are buying the computer directly from the manufacturer.
To learn more about Brandeis-sponsored computer discounts, visit the vendors' websites. Institutional purchases are computers to be used in Brandeis offices.
DELL (personal purchases) 888-973-3355
DELL (institutional purchases) 888-973-3355
APPLE (personal purchases) 800-780-5009
APPLE (institutional purchases) 800-780-5009
In conjunction with the Academic Dean's office, LTS has placed Arts and Sciences departments and administrative offices on a four year refresh cycle. Every four years, each department receives new computers and updated software. LTS staff set up the new computers, load the software, and transfer files from the old computers to the new ones. A department is usually completely refreshed in a single day so as to cause minimal disruption.
For more information information please go here: Desktop Refresh Program.
Brandeis LTS supports network printing for all academic and administrative departments. We recommend the following HP LaserJet printers:
For more information about selecting a printer, view the Choosing a Printer brochure (Saved as a PDF).
For students, Brandeis LTS recommends HP DeskJet printers. The actual model will depend on the student's needs. Students should be sure that the printer they choose is compatible with their computer and that they purchase any necessary cables.
This is the question asked most frequently by new computer buyers. Although we cannot decide for you, we can help list the criteria you should use to make your decision:
Laptops are becoming more popular with students, especially with those needing to bring their computers home during breaks and intersessions. Another advantage of the laptop is the ability to use it in various places on campus, whether it's a classroom or a personal study space in the Library. However, laptops are less powerful and less expandable than comparably priced desktop models. Laptops also tend to have higher repair costs and are prone to security risks.
As an incoming student, you should be careful to purchase a computer that will be useful for your four years at Brandeis. For most students, an entry level computer should be sufficient. The Dells and Macs recommended by Brandeis should meet the requirements of most students, although the minitowers offer greater capability to expand the computer as necessary down the road. Our minimum recommendations are a processor with a speed of 2.8 gigahertz (PC) or 1.25 gigahertz (Mac), 512 megabytes of RAM, a 40 gigabyte hard drive, an Ethernet card, and a CD-RW drive.
You may be familiar with Dell's consumer product lines, the Dimension desktop and the Inspiron notebook. We recommend Dell's Optiplex and Latitude models because they are built with standard parts. Lower-end product lines from most vendors (including Dell) are built with any parts the manufacturer can obtain. Each Optiplex and Latitude is built with the same selection of brand-name parts for at least one year. This makes it much easier to find the software and drivers to support it. The price for the recommended Optiplex is comparable with the similar Dimension.
Apple and Dell let you add options to their computers. The recommended models should act as a template on which to base your computer. You can add more memory, a larger hard drive, a second CD or DVD drive, a modem, and many other options.
If you will be living on campus, your computer must have an Ethernet card to connect to the campus network.
You can have your computer shipped to your home or to your Brandeis address, where it will wait for you until you arrive.
We recommend that every new computer have Microsoft Office. Currently, we are supporting Office XP and 2003 for the PC and Office 2004 and X for the Macintosh. There is no need to buy virus protection software; Brandeis has a campus license for Symantec AntiVirus. This program can be downloaded from the web using your UNet ID and password.
We recommend Windows XP Professional for a PC. Do not choose Windows XP Home; you will not be able to use all of our network services. For a Macintsoh, we recommend OS X v.10.2 and above.
In order to connect to the campus network, your computer must have an Ethernet card and an Ethernet cable. If you use a cable modem or DSL at home, you can bring your Ethernet cable with you. If you purchase a cable, be sure it is CAT5. Long (25'-50') cables are recommended. If you are buying a new computer, please be sure that it comes with built-in Ethernet. Our recommended Dell and Apple models all have Ethernet capability. If you are not purchasing a new computer, be sure to bring all documentation and software for installed Ethernet cards to help with your network connection. If your computer does not have an Ethernet card, please call us at 781-736-4801, and we will help you choose one that will work on our network.
