Desktop Recommendations - 2002-2006 Four Year Overview
2002-2003 Desktop Recommendations
| Recommended Minimum Configurations for New Machines |
| |
Windows |
Mac OS |
| Hardware |
Processor |
Pentium 4 (2.0 GHz) Athlon (1.7 GHz) |
PowerPC G4 (933 MHz) |
| Memory (RAM) |
512 MB |
512 MB |
| Hard Disk |
40 GB |
40 GB |
| Monitor & VRAM |
17-inch CRT
(19-inch CRT or 15-inch LCD optional)
32 MB VRAM |
17-inch CRT
(19-inch CRT or 15-inch LCD optional)
32 MB VRAM |
| Sound |
Sound Blaster compatible audio & speaker |
Built-in audio & speaker |
| Miscellaneous |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive ZIP 250 drive 1.4 MB floppy drive |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive ZIP 250 drive |
| Support Period |
Until July, 2006 |
Until July, 2006 |
| Estimated Price (7/2002) |
$1,700 |
$1,800 |
| Operating System |
Windows 2000 Professional Windows XP Professional |
Mac OS 9.2.x Mac OS X version 10.1.4+ |
| Network Connection |
High-bandwidth |
10/100BaseT Ethernet |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
| Low-bandwidth |
56 Kbps V.90 modem |
56 Kbps V.90 modem |
2003-2004 Desktop Recommendations
| Recommended Minimum Configurations for New Desktop Systems |
| |
Windows |
Mac OS |
| Hardware |
Processor |
Pentium 4 (3.06 GHz) Athlon (2.083 GHz/2800+) |
PowerPC G4 (dual 1.25 GHz) |
| Memory (RAM) |
512 MB |
512 MB |
| Hard Disk |
60 GB |
60 GB |
| Monitor & VRAM |
17-inch CRT (19-inch CRT, 15-inch LCD, or 17-inch LCD optional) 32 MB VRAM |
17-inch CRT (19-inch CRT, 15-inch LCD, or 17-inch LCD optional) 64 MB VRAM |
| Sound |
Sound Blaster compatible audio & speaker |
Built-in audio & speaker |
| Miscellaneous |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive optional ZIP drive 1.4 MB floppy drive |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive optional ZIP drive |
| Network Connection |
High-bandwidth |
10/100BaseT Ethernet |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
| Low-bandwidth |
56 Kbps V.92 modem |
56 Kbps V.92 modem |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Professional |
Mac OS X version 10.2.x |
| Support Period |
Until July, 2007 |
Until July, 2007 |
| Estimated Price (7/2003) |
$1,450 |
$1,950 |
2004-2005 Desktop Recommendations
| Recommended Minimum Configurations for New Desktop Systems |
| |
Windows |
Mac OS |
| Hardware |
Processor |
Pentium 4 (3.0 GHz) w/400 MHz RAM Athlon 64 (2.0 GHz/3000+) w/400 MHz RAM |
PowerPC G5 (dual 1.8 GHz) w/400 MHz RAM |
| Memory (RAM) |
1.0 GB |
1.0 GB |
| Hard Disk |
80 GB |
80 GB |
| Monitor & VRAM |
17-inch CRT or 17-inch LCD (15-inch LCD or 19-inch CRT optional) 64 MB VRAM |
17-inch CRT or 17-inch LCD (15-inch LCD or 19-inch CRT optional) 64 MB VRAM |
| Sound |
Sound Blaster compatible audio card & speaker |
Built-in audio & speaker |
| Miscellaneous |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive optional 1.4 MB floppy drive |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive |
Network
Connection |
High-bandwidth |
10/100BaseT Ethernet |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
| Low-bandwidth |
56 Kbps V.92 modem |
56 Kbps V.92 modem |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Professional |
Mac OS X version 10.3.x |
| Support Period |
Until July, 2008 |
Until July, 2008 |
| Estimated Price (7/2004) |
$1,350 to $1,600 |
$1,750 to $2,150 |
2005-2006 Desktop Recommendations
| Recommended Minimum Configurations for New Desktop Systems |
| |
Windows |
Mac OS |
| Hardware |
Processor |
Pentium 4 550J (3.4 GHz) or Pentium 4 650 (3.4 GHz) or Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2 GHz) |
PowerPC G5 (2.0 GHz) |
| Memory (RAM) |
1.0 GB |
1.0 GB |
| Hard Disk |
120 GB |
120 GB |
| Monitor & VRAM |
17-inch CRT or 19-inch LCD (17-inch LCD optional) 64 MB VRAM |
17-inch CRT or 19-inch LCD (17-inch LCD optional) 64 MB VRAM |
| Sound |
Built-in audio & speaker |
Built-in audio & speaker |
| Miscellaneous |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive |
Network
Connection |
High-bandwidth |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet |
| Low-bandwidth |
56 Kbps V.92 modem |
56 Kbps V.92 modem |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 |
Mac OS X version 10.4.x |
| Support Period |
Until July, 2009 |
Until July, 2009 |
| Estimated Price (7/2005) |
$1,150 to $1,400 |
$1,500 to $2,200 |
|