Sections
Personal tools
You are here: Home → Administration → IT Services → Student Information → Personal Computer Recommendations
Contact Information

Taylor Hall 125
M-F: 8am - 5pm
(970) 943-3333
helpdesk@western.edu

 

Personal Computer Recommendations

Personal Computer Recommendations

While it isn't required, you may choose to bring a personal computer to campus. We recommend the following configurations for all areas of campus; residence halls & apartments and wireless:

Windows Platform:
Windows XP Professional or Home Edition, Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista, Service Pack 2, Windows 7, Service Pack 1
Core Duo or AMD (Intel Core Duo or i Series CPU, AMD Athlon 64x2 or better)
2 Gigabytes of RAM (minimum)
150 gigabyte Hard Drive or larger
Ethernet Adapter
If purchasing a laptop, integrated 802.11 g wireless adapter

Macintosh:
OSX 10.4 Tiger or above
2 Gigabytes of RAM (minimum)
150 gigabyte Hard Drive or larger
Ethernet Adapter
If purchasing a laptop, integrated Airport (wireless) card

Software Requirements

The following are required for network access in all areas of campus; residence halls & apartments and wireless:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1
    • If you don't meet the service pack requirements you may download the service packs from Windows Update.
  • Use of a supported anti-virus client for Windows clients (See our Anti-virus page).
  • A valid campus username and password.

For security purposes, the minimum Microsoft Windows version required for network access is Windows XP with Service Pack 2. All prior versions of Microsoft Windows (3.x, 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000) cannot access the WSC network.

Failure to meet the above requirements will leave your computer without connectivity to any campus resources, including the Internet.