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Desktop Recommendations - 2003-2007 Four Year Overview

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

2006-2007 Desktop Recommendations

Recommended Minimum Configurations for New Desktop Systems
  Windows Mac OS
Hardware Processor Pentium D 830 (3.0 GHz)
or Athlon 64 (2.2 GHz/3700+)
Core Duo T2400 (1.83 GHz)
Memory (RAM) 1.5 GB 1.5 GB
Hard Disk 160 GB 160 GB
Monitor & VRAM 19-inch LCD or 17-inch CRT
128 MB discrete video card
17-inch LCD or 20-inch LCD
128 MB discrete video card
Sound Built-in audio & speaker Built-in audio & speaker
Miscellaneous CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive CD-RW/DVD±R drive
Network
Connection
High-bandwidth 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet
Low-bandwidth optional 56 Kbps V.92 modem optional 56 Kbps V.92 modem
Operating System Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 Mac OS 10.4.x
Support Period Until July, 2010 Until July, 2010
Estimated Price (7/2006) $1,150 to $1,300 $1,450 to $1,850
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