Office of the Vice Provost for Information Systems and Computing-- September 18, 1995
Information Systems and Computing, in cooperation with the Penn community, now annually publishes minimum standards for new desktop computers. The standards help hold training and support costs in check and make it possible for people across campus to work together. They clarify buying decisions and help in planning equipment life cycles. For "supported" desktops ISC provides specific training, documentation, and hardware and software problem diagnosis.
Macintosh and Windows computers are the supported standards at Penn. Most of the revised standard configurations are "freshness dated," with ISC support guaranteed until July 1999. ISC does not recommend mixing Macintosh and Windows computers within an office or workgroup, where a single standard is much easier to support.
Desktop systems purchased under the previous standards will continue to be supported until July 1998. ISC will continue to review desktop standards each year in light of University needs and industry changes. As new desktop standards are issued, they too will specify support guarantees.
Support Timetable for Standard Desktop Configurations
Minimum Existing Configurations: January 1993--July 1996
Summer 1993 recommendations: July 1993--July 1997
January 1995 ISC Standards: January 1995--July 1998
July 1995 ISC Standards: July 1995--July 1999
July 1996 ISC Standards: July 1996--July 2000
There are two levels of standards: desktops for general-purpose computing (like e-mail, word processors and spreadsheets), and desktops for new administrative systems (like those used for Project Cornerstone). The standards for new administrative systems are somewhat higher than the standards for general-purpose computing. A machine that can access Cornerstone systems can handle general office functions, but the reverse is not necessarily true. Research and instructional computing may require more specialized machines.
The Computer Connection offers configurations that match the standards below. In addition, buyers with limited budgets may choose to trade off various components of a desktop system depending on specific needs: for example, memory versus additional hard disk space versus a larger monitor. Remember, it is easier to add additional memory or peripherals later, but some components (like a smaller monitor) cannot be effectively upgraded.
If your school or department is considering major changes or investments, ISC strongly recommends a consultation to weigh pros and cons in today's rapidly changing environment. Contact Noam Arzt, ISC Director of Information Technology Architecture (arzt@isc.upenn.edu; 898-3029). Up-to-date standards and additional information are available via World Wide Web (URL: http://www.upenn.edu/isc/ under "Information Technology Architecture and Standards").
Windows 95 Note: ISC is not supporting Windows 95 as initially released in August, 1995. Generally, you should not install Windows 95 until either ISC or your local support provider can provide appropriate assistance and support. Windows 95 is not installed on computers purchased in the Fall 1995 Back-to-School Sale.
If you are buying a new machine, here are the minimum standards, to be supported by ISC until July 1999. Buying the best computer you can afford usually pays off in extra years of service from the machine, so you may prefer to buy a more powerful configuration:
Minimum configurations for new general-purpose machinesMS-Windows Macintosh
Processor 486DX4 (100 MHz) PowerPC (60 MHz)
Memory 8 MB 16 MB plus RAM Doubler
Hard disk 350 MB 500 MB
Monitor 15" color SVGA; 17" recom. 15" color; 17" recom.
Support guarantee Until July 1999 Until July 1999
Today's est. price $2400 $2400
Operating system Windows 3.1 MacOS System 7.5
On-campus connect. Ethernet Ethernet
Off-campus connect. PPP (28.8 Kbps) PPP (28.8 Kbps)
Cornerstone systems will evolve over time with various delivery dates beginning in Fiscal Year 1995-1996 and others beginning in Fiscal Year 1996-1997. If you are purchasing a computer at this time and expect to use any of the Cornerstone Systems (general ledger, purchasing, accounts payable, data warehouse and budget planning) in the future, buy the recommended standard. If you will be an initial user of the Data Warehouse or Budget Planning, then you must be at standard this year to use these systems. Buying the best computer you can afford usually pays off in extra years of service from the machine, so you may prefer to buy a more powerful configuration.
If you are buying a new Macintosh primarily for Penn's new administrative systems, wait as long as possible to make sure that Macintosh user interfaces to those systems are available as expected. Note that Macintosh computers with DOS co-processors do not satisfy MS- Windows standards.
Minimum configurations for new Cornerstone machines
MS-Windows Macintosh
Processor Pentium (75 MHz) PowerPC ( 60 MHz;
not 603; 603e is OK)
Memory 16 MB 16 MB plus RAM Doubler
Hard disk 500+ MB 500+ MB
Monitor 15" color SVGA; 17" recom. 15" color; 17" recom.
Optional Peripherals CD-ROM, SoundBlaster CD-ROM, sound built-in with speakers or headset
Support guarantee Until July 1999 Until July 1999
Today's est. price $2600 $2600
Operating system Windows 3.1 MacOS System 7.5
On-campus connect. Ethernet Ethernet
Off-campus connect. PPP (28.8 Kbps) PPP (28.8 Kbps)
The following minimum configurations for general-purpose office computing represent the general departmental purchase recommendations from three years ago. They will be supported by ISC for one more year only. Transition from these configurations as soon as possible to the new purchase standards:
Minimum configurations for existing machines - Supported until July 1996 only
MS-Windows Macintosh
Processor 486SX (33 MHz) 68030 (25 MHz)
Memory 8 MB 5 MB
Hard disk 120 MB 80 MB
Monitor 14" color VGA 13" color
Support guarantee Until July 1996 Until July 1996
Operating system Windows 3.1 MacOS System 7
On-campus connect. Ethernet Ethernet
Off-campus connect. PPP (14.4 Kbps) SLIP (14.4 Kbps)
Generally, laptop computers cost more than similarly functioning desktop computers and lag at least a generation behind in technology. If you are planning to purchase a laptop to use as a primary desktop workstation it should comply with the appropriate General-purpose or Cornerstone minimum standard configurations.
Other than some slight differences in peripherals, support for laptop computers is generally no different than for desktop computers. The following guidelines represent ISC's recommendations for laptop computer configurations:
Guidelines for laptop computers
MS-Windows Macintosh
Processor 486DX4 (75 MHz) Motorola 68LC040 (33 MHz)
Memory 8 MB 8 MB plus RAM Doubler
Hard disk 300 MB 320 MB
Monitor 10.4" dual-scan color 9.5" active matrix color
Today's est. price $2400 $3100
Operating system Windows 3.1 MacOS System 7.5
On-campus connect. Ethernet (PCMCIA) Ethernet (via Dock or
SCSI)
Off-campus connect. PPP (28.8 Kbps PCMCIA) PPP (28.8 Kbps internal)