Information Technology at Western Carolina University

Computer Purchasing

Student Computer Purchasing

Parents and students: Use the links directly below for your computer purchase!

Sites for Student Computer Purchases:

Note that to purchase a computer at our special pricing you must be an admitted student at Western.

Western Carolina University Minimum Computer Specifications

Western Carolina University has partnered with several vendors to provide discounts on systems and services to the university for our faculty and staff computing needs. The specifications detailed here are the MINIMUM requirements for new computer purchases to be used on our campus.

We will soon post more details with direct quote to purchase links and WCU-specific bundled computer packages. In the interim, if you need to purchase a computer for institutional use, please contact Client Services at 7487 for assistance.

WCU Minimum Mac Desktop Systems Specifications
Minimum Specifications	Business Desktop iMac	Analytical Desktop iMac
Processor Speed	Minimum 2.0 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo	Minimum 2.4 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo
Operating System	Mac OS X Leopard	Mac OS X Leopard
Memory	Minimum 2 GB	Minimum 4 GB
Storage	250 GB	320 GB
Optical Drive	8x SuperDrive	8x SuperDrive
Mouse	Optical Mouse	Optical Mouse
Keyboard	Standard Keyboard	Standard Keyboard
Display (Monitor)	20" Flat Panel	24" Flat Panel
Video Card	128 MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT	256 MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO
Network Card	Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet	Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Speakers	Built In	Built In
Warranty	3 year add on	3 year add on

WCU Minimum Mac Laptop Specifications
Minimum Specifications	Mac Book	Mac Book Pro
Processor Speed	Minimum 2.4 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo	Minimum 2.5 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo
Operating System	Mac OS X Leopard	Mac OS X Leopard
Memory	Minimum 2GB 2x1 DIMM	Minimum 2x1 GB DIMM
Storage	160 GB 5400 Rpm	250 GB 5400 RPM
Optical Drive	Double layer SuperDrive	Double layer SuperDrive
Display (Monitor)	13" Display	15" Display NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB
Network Card	Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet	Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Battery	Lithium-polymer battery	Lithium-polymer battery
Warranty	3 year add on	3 year add on
Keep your hard drive program
CompuTrace	Optional (Required for University purchases)	Optional (Required for University purchases)
Etching	Required for University purchases	Required for University purchases

WCU Minimum Desktop Systems Specifications
Minimum Specifications	Business Desktop	Analytical Desktop
Processor Speed	Minimum 2.4 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo	Minimum 2.66 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo
Operating System	Microsoft Vista Operating System	Microsoft Vista Operating System
Memory	Minimum 2 GB, 2x1GB DIMM	Minimum 4 GB, 4x1GB DIMM
Storage	250 GB 7200 RPM	Primary: 500 GB 7200 RPM Secondary: 500 GB 7200 RPM
Optical Drive	Dual Layer DVD+-RW	Dual layer DVD+-RW
Other	Multiple format media reader	Multiple format media reader
Mouse	Optical Scroll Mouse	Optical Scroll Mouse
Keyboard	Standard Keyboard	Standard Keyboard
Display (Monitor)	17"or 19" Flat Panel DVI	17" or 19" Flat Panel DVI
Video Card	256 MB nVidia GeForce 8300 GS Dual DVI/VGA	512 MB nVidia GeForce 8600 GT Dual DVI/VGA
Network Card	Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet card	Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet card
Speakers	Sound Bar	Sound Bar
Warranty	4 year warranty, Gold level	4 year warranty, Gold level
Keep your hard drive program	Optional (Required for University purchases)	Optional (Required for University purchases)

WCU Minimum Laptop / Tablet Specifications
Minimum Specifications	Business Laptop	Lightweight Tablet
Processor Speed	Minimum 2.2 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo	Minimum 1.2 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo
Operating System	Least expensive Microsoft Operating System	Least expensive Microsoft Operating System
Memory	Minimum 2x1GB DIMM	Minimum 2x1GB DIMM
Storage	80 GB 7200 RPM	80 GB 7200 RPM
Optical Drive	Dual Layer DVD+-RW	Dual layer DVD+-RW
Other	Multiple format media reader	Multiple format media reader
Display (Monitor)	15.4" WXGA TFT	12.1" WXGA TFT
Video Card	At least 128 MB Integrated	At least 128 MB Integrated
Network Card	Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet card	Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet card
Battery	Primary 8-Cell Lithium Ion Battery	Primary 4-Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Warranty	3 year with accidental damage	3 year with accidental damage
Keep your hard drive program	Optional (Required for University purchases)	Optional (Required for University purchases)
CompuTrace	Optional (Required for University purchases)	Optional (Required for University purchases)
Etching	Required for University purchases	Required for University purchases
Carrying case	Optional (Required for University purchases)	Optional (Required for University purchases)

NC Microsoft Select Contract
(for items not available under MS Campus Agreement)

Campus Licenses

MS Campus Agreement
Norton Antivirus
Statistical Packages (SAS, SPSS, Minitab)
Web Tools (TBD)

Execution of Contracts (Policy 62)

Faculty & Staff Personal Purchases

Dell
Apple

The Following Items Are Available at the Western Bookstore:

Software such as Norton Personal Firewall
Cables and surge protectors
Security kits

This is just a sample of the items available at the bookstore, please contact them via email at bookstore@wcu.edu for more information.

WCU and Departmental Purchases:

Please contact Client Services at 227-7487 or itshelp@email.wcu.edu for minimum computer standards and quotes. Our custom DELL WCU purchasing site will be available in a few days.

Apple