If you are planning to purchase a new computer to coincide with your arrival to the University, please be forward thinking in determining what computer specs, software, and hardware you will need for your academic program(s) and that you will want it to last for the next 3-4 years.
A few schools within the University have outlined computer recommendations in order to better prepare their students. You can find this information by going to the following webpages:
Even if you are not enrolled in one of the schools listed above, you may find their recommendations helpful. For example, the page for Arts & Sciences talks about purchasing computers and certain software through the Campus Store at discounted prices.
In general, most students who use a computer at the University will use it for:
For these types of users, any modern entry-line computer from mainstream computer manufacturers like Apple (Macbook), Dell, HP, or Lenovo is suitable.
Some students will have more advanced computing needs for a variety of reasons including:
These users should do a more in depth search on Google by entering a query like "recommended computer for [insert criteria]". In general, users who find entry-level computers to be insufficient will do fine by moving up to a mid-level or higher-end computer from major computer manufacturers. Examples of these are the Apple Macbook Pro and Dell XPS M-Series.
The University does not have a preference of Macs over PCs or vice versa. You should decide to buy a computer that supports Mac OS X, Windows Vista, Windows XP, or any Linux distribution based on what you personally prefer. Wash. U. students use it all, so whatever you decide to buy, you won't be alone. The University has nearly 6,000 computing stations on campus. If there is ever an instance when your computer is unable to perform a specific task, there are resources that can.
You may also also be deciding between buying a desktop computer or a laptop computer. The decision is largely one of personal preference; however, here are a few pros and cons associated with each.