Computers
Macs and PCs are equally suited for college use; the choice is chiefly a matter of personal preference.
The majority of Rice students use laptops, due to their portability and size. However, desktops are less expensive, easier to upgrade, less vulnerable to theft, and usually better suited to intense computer games and demanding applications. For more detailed advice, see the Hardware Recommendations page.
We recommend the following systems; however, if you would rather browse the available discounts, visit Apple, Dell (use member ID US44625481), or CDW-G (for HP and Lenovo computers). More information about these vendors is available at the Vendors page. Keep in mind that these prices may not be the lowest available.
Computer Repair
For information on computer repair, see the Computer Repair page.
Rice Recommendations
Desktops
PC: Dell Inspiron 530s
A solid base system with a 19" monitor, Windows Vista, and Microsoft Office.
$689 (or $21 a month)
Processor: Intel Pentium dual-core E2160
RAM: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
Hard drive: 320GB Serial ATA (7200 RPM)
Optical drive: 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Display: 19 inch S199WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel Monitor with TrueLife
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Integrated 7.1 channel audio
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
56K PCI data fax modem
Dell A225 speakers
Dell USB keyboard and Dell optical USB mouse
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007
1 year limited warranty, 1 year at-home service, and 1 year hardware warranty support
PC: Dell XPS 630
A PC system for gamers and power users with Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007.
$1548 (or $46 a month)
Processor: Intel® Core™2 E8200 (6MB L2 Cache, 2.66GHz, 1333 FSB)
RAM: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
Hard drive: 320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Optical drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Display: 19 inch SE198WFP digital flat panel
512MB nVidia GeForce 8800 GT video card
Integrated 7.1 channel audio
Dell AS501PA 10W flat panel attached speakers
(a 5.1 speaker system is recommended; see the Accessories page)
Dell USB keyboard and Dell optical USB mouse
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007
1 year limited warranty and at-home service
Mac: Mac mini
Small and inexpensive, but does not include a monitor, keyboard, or mouse (shop for these items on the Accessories page).
$579 (or $14 a month)
Processor: 1.83GHz Intel Core 2Duo
RAM: 1GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512MB
Hard drive: 80GB Serial ATA
Optical drive: 24x Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
DVI output port with support for VGA, S-video, and composite video connections
Four USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400
Built-in speakers, optical digital audio output/headphone out and audio input/audio line in
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet
Built-in 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (802.11g) wireless
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module
Size (H×W×D): 2×6.5×6.5 inches (5.08×16.51×16.51 cm)
Weight: 2.9 pounds (1.31 kg)
Includes Apple Remote and DVI to VGA adapter
Mac: iMac
A complete Mac, with a 20" display.
$1,149 (or $28 a month)
Processor: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4MB shared L2 cache
RAM: 1GB
Hard drive: 250GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm
Optical drive: 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW)
20-inch (viewable) glossy widescreen display, 1680 x 1050 pixels
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB of GDD3 memory
Built-in iSight camera
Three USB 2.0 ports; two USB 2.0 ports on keyboard; one FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port
Built-in stereo speakers and microphone
Optical digital audio output/headphone out, optical digital audio input/audio line in
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet
Built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme (802.11g) wireless
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR module
Apple Remote, Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse
Size (H×W×D): 18.5×19.1×7.4 inches (46.9×48.5×18.9 cm)
Weight: 20 pounds (9.1 kg)
Laptops
PC: Dell Inspiron 1525
A basic PC laptop with a 15.4" screen, Windows Vista, and Microsoft Office.
$648 (or $19 a month)
Processor: Intel Celeron 540 (1.86GHz/1MB)
RAM: 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Hard drive: 80GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM)
Optical drive: CD Writer/DVD player (Combo Drive)
15.4 inch Wide Screen glossy display
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
X3100
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
Integrated 10/100 network card, modem, and sound card
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007
1 year limited warranty and mail-in service
PC: Sony VAIO AR770NB
A powerful PC laptop with a 17" screen and Windows Vista.
$1,386
Processor: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8300
RAM: 2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
Hard drive: 200GB Serial ATA-150, 5400 rpm
Optical drive: 8x DVD±RW (±R DL)/ DVD-RAM
17 inch widescreen WXGA+ display
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT with 256MB memory
Integrated WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n wireless
Integrated 10/100 network card, modem, sound card, and camera
Battery life: 2.5 hours
Microsoft Windows Vista Business
1 year limited warranty
Mac: MacBook
The base Apple MacBook, with a 13" screen.
$999 (or $24 a month)
Processor: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache
RAM: 1GB (two SODIMMs)
Hard drive: 120GB Serial ATA, 5400rpm
Optical drive: 24x Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
13.3-inch (viewable) glossy widescreen display, 1280 x 800 pixels
Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
Built-in iSight camera
Mini-DVI video out
Built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme (802.11n) wireless
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
10/100/1000 BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet
Input: full-size keyboard; Scrolling Trackpad
Battery life: up to 4.5 hours
Size (H×W×D): 1.08×12.78×8.92 inches (2.75×32.5×22.7 cm)
Weight: 5 pounds (2.27 kg)
Mac: MacBook Pro
The base Apple MacBook Pro, with a 15" screen.
$1,799 (or $43 a month)
Processor: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache
RAM: 2GB (two SODIMMs)
Hard drive: 200GB Serial ATA, 5400rpm
Optical drive: 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
15.4-inch (viewable) widescreen, 1440 x 900 pixels
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM
Built-in iSight camera
DVI video out with support for DVI video
Built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme (802.11n) wireless
Built-in Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
10/100/1000 BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet
Input: full-size, illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor; Multi-Touch trackpad
Battery life: up to 5 hours
Size (H×W×D): 1×14.1×9.6 inches (2.59×35.7×24.3 cm)
Weight: 5.4 pounds (2.45 kg)