Colorado State University 
Computer and Software Recommendations for Students

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At this time Colorado State University does not require students to purchase computers. While Colorado State does offer access to computers through college computing labs, a student may find it more convenient to bring his/her own computer to campus. Colorado State offers the following guidelines for those who choose to bring a computer to campus. These recommendations are reviewed semi-annually by the University standards committee.

For the freshman and sophomore years, basic computing functions can be provided by most of the currently available standard microcomputers. A student computer configuration should include an office software suite and printer. Appropriate networking and Web browsing software is available from the University to students at no additional cost.

As a student progresses through school computing needs may change. The functional needs of the first two years may be less than those of junior and senior years or for graduate or professional programs. Students in their junior or senior years should check with their college for any special requirements. See the list of colleges below.

Computer vendors offer special educational promotions to Colorado State University students.  The University does not endorse any of the commercial providers or their products, but is pleased to pass on information regarding educational discounts.  Visit the Software Cellar's web site and click on the word "Computers" in the side bar.  It's wise to compare these prices to those in your area.

Sample Hardware Configurations -
Windows Desktop/Laptops
Please check the hardware notes listed at the end of this section.
 

HARDWARE NOTES:

1) Hardware changes at a rapid pace and any machine purchased may not meet the needs of a student through the entire four years.

2) Students living in the Residence Halls are encouraged to purchase a network card and network connection. This enables students to connect to the campus network using Ethernet connections, which are many times faster than dialup modems. All rooms in the campus residence halls are wired and offer Ethernet connections.  Refer to the Housing and Dining Services web pages for more information.  In addition, connections in campus labs, classrooms, libraries and other public places accommodate students with notebook computers.

Student computers that connect in residence halls and to other campus network ports need a 100BaseTX or a combination 10/100BaseTX Ethernet card installed in your computer, plus a Cat5 RJ45 cord to connect your Ethernet card to the wall jack. All residence halls now support 100Base-TX ethernet connections. Standard brands of cards used on campus include 3COM, Intel, and SMC. If a network card is installed by a dealer, ask them to test it in a live Ethernet network to ensure that it is correctly installed.

3) Students who want to use the dial-up services of Colorado State are required to subscribe to modem access each semester. Our modem pool web page has information on subscribing, configuring your modem, and answers to frequently asked questions.  Software for dial-up and Internet access is provided on a software CD-ROM distributed free through our all-University computer lab on campus.

4) Any computer owner needs to perform backups. Saving data should be done frequently. For small amounts of data consider using a USB Jump/Thumb drive. CD's and DVD's are also a very popular way to back up larger amounts of data. Some larger backup systems, such as an external hard drive. can save a copy of the entire hard disk.

Windows-based computers are the dominant choice in most Colorado State University academic programs. Students considering purchasing a Macintosh should carefully examine the requirements and recommendations of their academic programs.  See the list of college recommendations below.

General advice on acquiring a computer

• Virus Software -- Symantec AnitVirus is free to students, available at the all-University computer lab on campus.
• Word Processing -- Microsoft Word
• Spreadsheets -- Microsoft Excel
• Presentation Software -- Microsoft PowerPoint
• World Wide Web Browser --  Microsoft Internet Explorer (preferred) or Firefox.
• E-mail -- WebMail is the campus standard for e-mail. WebMail is a full featured mail program that allows you to send, read, file, and delete mail all from your web browser. No special software is required and mail accounts are available for free from the University. If you prefer you can use special email client software including Microsoft Outlook Express or other IMAP compliant e-mail software.
• Networking utilities -- The utilities for dialup software, ftp, chat, news and other Internet services, are available at no cost. These can be downloaded from the ACNS Download Center.

• College of Agricultural Sciences - use the recommendations above
• College of Applied Human Sciences - use the recommendations above
• College of Business - use the recommendations above
• College of Engineering
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - use the recommendations above
• College of Natural Resources - use the recommendations above
• College of Natural Sciences - use the recommendations above (Some departments prefer Macinstosh computers; check with your department).
• College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - use the recommendations above

           Professional Veterinary Medicine students - special recommendation

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Comments or questions: Computing Help Desk
Academic Computing and Networking Services
Colorado State University Home Page
Last updated:  Monday, 04-Jun-2007 08:56:13 MDT