RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS:

Howard University School of Law Minimum Specifications for Personal Computers

The Law School network will work with both IBM compatible and Macintosh computers. We recommend using a IBM compatible. Computers running Windows XP Professional or Macintosh running OS X 10.5 and above are able to connect to our network resources.

New computers should conform to as least the following minimum specifications.

Processor: Intel Duo Processor (2.33GHz) acceptable.

Memory RAM: 2 GB

Video RAM: 16MB
(If you expect to make intense use of graphics, get at least 32 MB of Video RAM)

Hard Drive: 120.0 Gigabybe (GB)

Display Active/TFT
(Display size is a matter of personal preference. Larger displays make for easier reading, but may add weight to the computer. 14.1 inch is now a common size)

Modem 56 kbps meeting v.90 standard
(If your computer does not have an integrated modem, then we recommend you buy a 3com or a Xircom model. Even if you have high-speed access at home, you’ll want a modem when you travel).
Network Card Wired Ethernet 10/100BaseT and Wireless meeting 802.11g (WiFi) standard
(Portions of the law school have wireless connectivity and wireless may be expanded later this year. If your computer does not have integrated cards, we recommend 3Com and Xircom wired Ethernet cards and Cisco wireless cards).

Operating System: Windows XP Professional Edition
(Your computer should provide a stable environment for business and networking applications. Windows XP Professional Edition provides such an environment. Students should be certain to order computers with XP Professional, not XP Home Edition. The latter version does not support business networking. The law school provides very limited support for users of IBM & Macintosh computers).

Optical Drive DVD or DVD/CD-RW combination

Carrying Case Designed for portable computers
(It should have sufficient padding, keep the computer snug and offer room for the accessories you use every day).

Security Kit Providing cable and lock.
(Never leave your computer unattended in a public area, even when it is secured. Security and alarm systems serve merely as deterrents to casual thieves).

updated: July 18, 2008