Desktop Computing Hardware Standards: 1997-98 Update
The desktop standards document, published annually by Information Systems and Computing in collaboration with the Penn community, is
available on the Penn web at
www.upenn.edu/computing/arch/standards/desktop-97-98.html. The document provides recommended and minimum standards for new, institutionally owned, desktop computers; recommendations for new laptop computers; advice on mixed Macintosh-Windows 95
environments; and pointers to related information and followup contacts. Some highlights of the 1997-98 recommendations:
- The desktop recommendations distinguish between general-purpose systems for standard tasks such as e-mail, word processing, and spreadsheet
calculations, and "Cornerstone systems" for accessing administrative applications.
- All users should consider Intel-based, Cornerstone-compliant computers for new purchases to ensure compatibility with new campus systems.
- Newly purchased Macintosh systems may not be fully functional for all Cornerstone administrative systems for the full life of the guaranteed support
period. In addition, support for new general-purpose Macintoshes is extended only until July, 2000; that is, for three, not for four, years as in the past.
- Windows 95 should be installed on new Intel-based computers
- The recommended Macintosh strategy continues to be one of caution, not, in most cases, of migration away from the Macintosh. Recognizing that
an increasing number of Macintosh-oriented offices will introduce Windows 95 computers into their workgroups and that mixed offices may be more
challenging to support, ISC will give providers of computing support additional services targeted at platform migration and mixed Macintosh-Windows
workgroups.
--Noam Arzt, Executive Director,
Administration and Information Technology Architecture
Almanac
Volume 43 Number 34
May 13, 1997
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