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IT Services Recommendations on When to Replace Aging Computers

For 2008-2009

This recommendation deals with when to replace an aging computer. If you are buying a new computer, IT Services recommends purchasing one of the Stanford Dell Bundles (Windows) or Stanford Apple Bundles (Macintosh), which offer pre-configured desktop and laptop computers that will meet the needs of most students, faculty, and staff and are available at discounted prices. You can find more information about the bundles on the following web pages:

• Stanford-Dell Purchase Program:
  http://www.stanford.edu/services/purchasedell/
  
  
• Stanford-Apple Purchase Program:
  http://www.stanford.edu/services/purchaseapple/

If you choose to purchase a new computer that is not one of the recommended bundles, it should meet the following minimum requirements:

• XP Professional or Mac OS X 10.5 (IT Services recommended); Vista Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise
• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or faster
• 2 GB RAM or greater
• 120 GB hard drive or larger

Definition of General Academic and Administrative Computing Needs

This recommendation deals with computers for general academic and administrative use. For the purposes of this recommendation, general academic and administrative needs are defined as:

• the ability to run at least four applications concurrently (e.g., a browser, an email client, a word processor, and a spreadsheet application)
• the ability to install and run current, off-the-shelf, general-purpose business applications
• the ability to install and run current Stanford-specific administrative applications

This standard must be adjusted accordingly for users who place either higher or lower demands on their systems (e.g., for special-purpose applications on the high end or simply as a web-browsing terminal on the low end).

Three to Four Year Replacement Rule of Thumb

Based upon experience with the continuing changes and improvements in desktop computing capabilities, it is recommended that a three to four year replacement cycle will create an adequate platform to support standard business applications. However, each computer should be assessed on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to support the unique work applications of its user.

If Your Computer is Below This Line...

If your computing needs fall into the profile of "general academic or administrative use," as described above, and your current computer falls below the standards listed below, you should plan to replace or upgrade your computer in the 2008–2009 academic year.

Windows Computers

• Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista (Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate Editions)^*
• Pentium IV (3 GHz or faster) or newer
• 1 GB RAM

^* See Windows Vista at Stanford for compatibility issues.

Macintosh Computers

• Mac OS X 10.4 or Mac OS X 10.5
• Laptops: G4 (1.5 GHz or faster) / Desktops: G5 or Intel processor
• 1 GB RAM^*

^*You can upgrade your RAM without replacing your computer in most cases.

All Computers

If you spend more than a few hours each week using any of Stanford's web-based administrative applications, such as PeopleSoft or Oracle Financials, IT Services strongly encourages you to have at least a 20-inch display, or larger. Display size is measured diagonally from corner to corner. A bigger display means less scrolling and squinting, as you try to view a large amount of graphic information within a limited space.

More specific information about operating system requirements is given in the following table and notes.

'Green' Fully supported, modern OS.	Windows Vista Business Windows Vista Enterprise Windows Vista Ultimate Windows XP Professional	Mac OS X 10.5 Mac OS X 10.4
'Red' Outdated OS / Not supported. Should be replaced as soon as possible.	Windows Vista Home Basic 1 Windows Vista Home Premium 1 Windows XP Home 1 Windows XP Media Center Windows 2000 Windows ME Windows 98 Windows NT 4.x Windows 95	Mac OS X 10.32 Mac OS X 10.0-10.22 Mac OS 9 Mac OS 8.6 Mac OS 7

Notes

1. Security Note on Windows XP and Windows Vista Home Editions:
   There are inherent security problems with Windows XP Home Edition, Windows Vista Home Basic, and Windows Vista Home Premium. Both Information Security Services and Stanford Procurement recommend against purchasing this product.
   
   
2. Note on Mac OS X 10.3 and below:
   If you are running Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, or 10.3 you should upgrade to 10.4 or later.