ITS Computer Buying Guide

These instructions have been moved to the ITS Knowledge Base [http://helpdesk.pomona.edu].
You will be redirected in a moment.

For many first-year students, coming to college is a great opportunity to buy a computer of their own, or to get a newer, faster one to replace the aging dinosaur they're using right now. This page exists to help these students decide which computer to buy.

Please Note: This computer buying guide is updated rarely. The information here is current as of May, 2007. If you would like current information at other times during the year, please contact us.

Table of Contents

• Step 1: Types of Use
• Step 2: Laptop vs. Desktop, PC vs. Mac
• Step 3: Individual Platforms
  • Laptop - PC
  • Laptop - Mac
  • Desktop - PC
  • Desktop - Mac
• Step 4: After your computer arrives
  • PC
  • Mac

Step 1: Types of Use

The most important thing to know before buying a computer is what you will be using it for. Certain applications can run on just about any kind of machine, while programs that are more complex and powerful require significantly better hardware. Most people tend to fit into one of these three categories:

Normal

These are fairly non-resource intensive tasks, including:

1. Writing papers (Microsoft Word)
2. Web surfing
3. Viewing .PDFs
4. E-mail
5. Other office productivity software ( PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
6. Instant messaging
7. Watching movies (requires a DVD drive)

Extended

These tasks require a slightly beefier machine:

1. Photo editing ( Photoshop)
2. High-end statistics programs/other academic software (Stata, Maple, etc.)
3. Desktop publishing ( InDesign, Publisher, etc.)
4. Web design software (Macromedia Dreamweaver/Flash, Pagemaker, etc.)
5. Computer games
6. Advanced graphical user interface effects (Vista Aero)
   

Power User

These programs require high-end machines to work well:

1. Complex photo editing (multi-layer filters, professional manipulations)
2. Video editing (Adobe After-Effects, Adobe Premier, Final Cut Pro (Mac only), etc.)
3. 3D Rendering (Maya, 3DS Max, etc.)
4. Certain high-powered scientific and academic software packages
5. High-end gaming

Figured out which group you (roughly) fit into? Head over to Step 2.