student computer recommendations

The University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry encourages its students to own computers. It is not a requirement, however, and the School makes every attempt to accommodate the computing needs of students with on-site computing facilities. There are several student computing areas, some open all night, that contain dozens of Macs & PCs. If you are thinking of buying a computer to use during medical school, here are some suggestions:

• If you have a preferred platform (Mac or PC), you may stay with it. If you don't have a preference, consider this: Like many academic medical centers, Rochester's ambulatory clinics and hospital units use PCs.
• If you plan to buy a new computer, make sure you purchase the power you need. Some basic configurations are described below. Visit University of Rochester's Computer Sales web site for specifics, or to compare costs to those in your area.
• Depending on the power of the CPU, size of monitor, etc., a basic PC configuration like one in the student computing areas, would cost about $1,400.
• Pentium IV 2.4 GHz processor (CPU) (the faster the better)
• 512 MB memory (RAM) (the more the better)
• 40 GB hard drive storage (the more the better)
• 16X DVD-CDRW drive
• 15" flat panel monitor
• Windows 2000 (or later) operating system
• For a Macintosh desktop configuration with similar functionality, a 'bundle' like the PowerMac G4 listed on the University of Rochester's computer sales web site would cost around $1,900.. If you don't mind a slightly less powerful system, you could also get an iMac starting at around $1,300.
• PowerMac G4 800 MHz processor (the faster the better)
• 512 MB RAM
• 60 GB hard drive (the more the better)
• DVD/CD-RW combo drive
• 15" flat panel monitor
• Mac OS 10.2 (Jaguar) or higher
• Get the fastest modem you can buy. The e-mail program you will be using, Internet access, and graphical user interfaces on other software make a 56K modem highly recommended. If you expect to make very heavy use of the Internet, high-speed/broadband Internet service is available in many parts of Rochester area starting at $30 per month. If you will be using the cable modem service you will not need a 56K modem because the service prvider provides networking equipment.

• If you would like to plug a notebook computer into the URMC network, your notebook computer will require an Ethernet card, or you might want to consider a combo-card from 3COM or Xircom, which includes both Ethernet and 56K modem jacks.