The University of Pennsylvania's Online Computing Magazine
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October 1995 - Volume 12:1 [Printout | Contents | Search ]
By Noam Arzt Information Systems and Computing, in cooperation with the Penn community, annually publishes minimum standards for purchasing 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. ISC provides support - training, documentation, and hardware and software problem diagnosis - for the standard configurations for a guaranteed time period.
What are the new standards?Macintosh and Windows computers in the minimum configurations shown in the top two charts below are the new desktop hardware standards at Penn. (Research and instructional computing may require more specialized machines.) As in the past, configurations are "freshness dated"; ISC support for the new 1995 standards is 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.There are two levels of standard configurations: one for general-purpose computing (like e-mail, word proces sors, and spreadsheets), and one for new administrative systems (like Project Cornerstone systems). The standard for new administrative systems is somewhat higher than the standard for general-purpose computing. A machine that can access Cornerstone systems can handle general office functions, but the reverse is not necessarily true. The Computer Connection offers configurations that match the purchase recommendations. 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 than you currently need. 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) need to be replaced rather than upgraded. ISC does not support the initial release of Windows 95. Generally, you should not install Windows 95 until either ISC or your local support provider can provide appropriate assistance.
When should I buy for Cornerstone systems?Cornerstone systems will evolve over time. Some products will be rolled out in fiscal year 1995-96 (like the Data Warehouse); other products will arrive in fiscal year 1996-97. Initial products will be graphical, in some in -stances requiring the Cornerstone standard configurations. Contact Robin Beck, Program Manager of Project Corner stone (898-7581).If you are buying a new Macintosh primarily for Cornerstone, wait as long as possible to make sure that Macintosh user interfaces are available as expected. Note that Macintosh computers with DOS co-processors are not powerful enough to satisfy MS-Windows standards.
Can I get additional advice?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 on the Penn Web (http://www.upenn.edu/isc/ under "Information Technology Architecture and Standards").
What about support of older configurations?Desktop systems purchased under previously published standards will continue to be supported until expiration of their support guarantee. Thus, systems conforming to the January 1995 standards will be supported until July 1998. Systems conforming to recommendations made three years ago will be supported until July 1996. Replace or upgrade systems that are at or below the following configurations: Macintosh 68030 (25 MHz), 5 MB RAM, 80 MB hard disk, and 13" color monitor; PC/compatible 486SX (33 MHz), 8 MB RAM, 120 MB hard disk, and 14" color VGA monitor.
NOAM ARZT is Director of Information Technology Archi tecture for Information Systems and Computing. MINIMUM CONFIGURATIONS FOR NEW GENERAL-PURPOSE MACHINES MS-Windows Macintosh Hardware 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; 15" color; 17" recommended 17" recommended Support guarantee Until July 1999 Until July 1999 Today's est. price $2,400 $2,400 Operating system Windows 3.1 MacOS System 7.5 Network connection On campus Ethernet Ethernet Off campus PPP (28.8 Kbps) PPP (28.8 Kbps) MINIMUM CONFIGURATIONS FOR NEW CORNERSTONE MACHINES MS-Windows Macintosh Hardware 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; 15" color; 17" recommended 17" recommended Optional CD-ROM, SoundBlaster CD-ROM, sound built-in with speakers or headset Support guarantee Until July 1999 Until July 1999 Today's est. price $2,600 $2,600 Operating system Windows 3.1 MacOS System 7.5 Network connection On campus Ethernet Ethernet Off campus PPP (28.8 Kbps) PPP (28.8 Kbps)
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