Recommended PCs - CMU/SCS Computing Facilities
The following PC configurations, in four main categories, are recommended by SCS Facilities : Unless otherwise noted, SCS Facilities has tested these configurations and found them to work as dual-boot Windows XP/Linux machines. If you choose to purchase a PC not on this list and wish to run Linux, please check with SCS Purchasing to confirm that your proposed hardware is compatible with an SCS Facilities-supported version (Fedora Core 7 is the most recent).Some flexibility is possible regarding memory and disk configurations. In addition, variations on the basic configuration are available, and SCS Facilities will attempt to accommodate special needs.
Facilities will support recommended PC's for at least three years after the date on which they are recommended (not the purchase date). This support includes software installs, hardware repairs, and upgrades to the latest versions of Facilities-supported operating system available for that hardware.
Purchasing a nonrecommended PC has several disadvantages:
- Systems will take longer to build and may have significantly longer repair turnarounds
- Support charges will be higher due to additional cost related to nonstandard hardware and drivers
To order a machine, and for any questions or problems, please contact SCS Purchasing
All prices are subject to change. For a list of available Dell Equipment, access the company's site via the CMU "Internet Purchasing Portals" page (offsite link, will open in a new window and requires ISO clearance). Then select "Dell" on the pulldown "Supplier List." For more information about IBM ThinkPads, see the CMU Computer Store site.
Recommended laptops
Latitude E4300- Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600 (2.53GHz)
- Operating Systems: Genuine Windows XP Professional, SP2, with media
- LCDs: 13.3 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD Panel
- Memory: 4.0GB, DDR3-1066 SDRAM, 2 DIMM
- Internal Keyboard: Internal English Keyboard
- Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphic Media Accelerator 4500MHD
- Hard Drive: 250GB Hard Drive, 7200RPM
- 8X DVD+/-RW w/Roxio and Cyberlink PowerDVD
- Touchpad Options: No Fingerprint Reader and No Contactless Smartcard Reader
- AC Adapter: 65W A/C Adapter
- Wireless LAN (802.11): Intel 1510 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card
- Resource CD: No Resource CD
- Batteries: 6 Cell Primary Battery
- Updated September 23, 2009
- Price: $1,705.74
- Note: Linux and dual-boot support is available for the E4300 with the following restrictions:
- There is sufficient disk space for the Linux partition (30 GB for F7). Those figures include only a minimal amount of user space (1 GB).
- Certain features available under Windows will not be available under Linux (e.g. sleep mode, power save mode).
- Intel Core 2 Duo P9700 (2.80GHz)6M L2 Cache, 1066Mhz
- Operating Systems: Genuine Windows XP Professional, SP2, with media
- LCDs: 15.4 inch UltraShartp Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD Panel
- 8X DVD +/-RW combo drive
- Memory: 4GB, DDR2-800 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
- Internal Keyboard: Internal English Keyboard
- Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M
- Integrated Webcam w/ digital microphone
- Hard Drive: 250GB Hard Drive, 7200RPM
- Touchpad Options: No Fingerprint Reader Standard Touchpad
- AC Adapter: 90W A/C Adapter
- Wireless LAN (802.11): Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card
- Resource CD: No Resource CD
- Batteries: 6 Cell Primary Battery
- 4 Year Warranty
- Updated September 23, 2009
- Price: $1,668.70
- Note: Linux and dual-boot support is available for the E6500 with the following restrictions:
- The machine is equipped with an Intel networking cards (wired and wireless).
- There is sufficient disk space for the Linux partition (30 GB for F7). Those figures include only a minimal amount of User space (1 GB).
- Certain features available under Windows will not be available under Linux (e.g. sleep mode, power save mode).
- Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz
- 2.0 GB PC3-8500 RAM (1 DIMM)
- 160 GB Hard Drive-7200 rpm
- Multi-Burner DL CD-RW/DVD+RW
- 14.1 inch SXGA LED Display 1280x720 resolution
- ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 Graphics
- 256 MB Video RAM
- Integrated Intel 802.11 a/g/n Wireless Mini PC Card
- Webcam
- Intel Turbo Memory 2GB
- Bluetooth
- Fingerprint Reader Security
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 56K Modem
- 6-cell Li-Ion Battery (6.5 hours)
- 3 USB 2.0, IEEE 1394a, VGA,ExpressCard slot/PC slot
- MS Windows XP Pro
- 3 Year Limited Warranty
- 3 Year Accidental Damage
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Updated December 12, 2008
- Price: $1279.00 from the CMU Computer Store
- Note: Linux support for this laptop on Fedora 7 with the E1000E NIC only
- Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8 GHz
- 2.0 GB PC3-8500 RAM (1 DIMM)
- 160 GB Hard Drive-7200 rpm
- Multi-Burner DL CD-RW/DVD+RW
- 15.4 inch SXGA CCFL Display 1280x720 resolution
- ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 Graphics
- 256 MB Video RAM
- Integrated Intel 802.11 a/g/n Wireless Mini PC Card
- 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
- Intel Turbo Memory 2GB
- Bluetooth
- Fingerprint Reader Security
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 56K Modem
- 6-cell Li-Ion Battery (4.3 hours)
- 3 USB 2.0, IEEE 1394a, VGA,DisplayPort, ExpressCard slot/PC slot
- MS Windows XP Pro
- 3 Year Limited Warranty
- 3 Year Accidental Damage
- Weight: 5.8 lbs.
- Updated December 12, 2008
- Price: $1432.00 from the CMU Computer Store
- Note: Linux support for this laptop on Fedora 7 with the E1000E NIC only
- Intel Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz
- 2.0 GB PC2-5300 RAM
- 64 GB Solid State Drive
- 13.3 inch WXGA LED Display 1440x900 resolution
- Intel Integrated X3100 Graphics
- Integrated Intel 802.11 a/g Wireless Mini PC Card
- 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
- Bluetooth
- Fingerprint Reader Security
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 56K Modem
- 6-cell Li-Ion Battery (6.5)
- 3 USB, external display; AC adapter; headphone/line-out, microphone/line-in
- MS Windows Vista Business
- 3 Year Limited Warranty
- 3 Year Accidental Damage
- 3.12 pounds
- Updated December 12, 2008
- Price: $2350.00
Recommended desktops
Dell Optiplex 960- Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9650 3.0GHz, 12M, 1333MHz FS Minitower
- Memory: 4GB DDR2 nonECC SDRAM,800MHz, (2 DIMM))
- Boot Hard Drives: 320GB SATA 3.0Gb/s and 16MB DataBurst Cache
- Monitors: Dell P2210T 22 inch VIS Professional Widescreen Flat Panel
- No Floppy Drive
- 16X DVD+/-RW SATA, Roxio Creator Cyberlink Power DVD
- Video Card: 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4670 Dual DVI/ plus single DVI VGA adapter
- Integrated Gigabit NIC, 10/100/1000
- Small Minitower Base
- Keyboard: Dell USB Keyboard, No Hot Keys, English, Black
- Mouse: Dell USB 5-Button Premium Optical Mouse, Black
- Dell AX510 Sound Bar for all UltraSharp Flat Panel Displays, black
- 4 Year Basic Limited Warranty
- Genuine Windows Vista Business Downgrade, XP Pro Installed, English
- Updated: September 23, 2009
- Unit Price: $1,295.20
Recommended servers
Dell PowerEdge 1950 (1U rack mount chassis) Note: Maximum 2 SATA disks or 4 SAS disksDell PowerEdge 2950 (2U rack mount chassis) Note: Maximum 6 SATA disks or 8 SAS disks
Dell PowerEdge 2900 (High-performance tower) Note: Maximum 8 SATA or 8 SAS disks plus 2 media bays