Student Computers


 

CCEC maintains computer laboratories to give students access to certain, discipline-specific software applications, which may not be accessible anywhere else on campus. CCEC's two main computer laboratories are the Software Development Lab (in Building 15) and the Engineering & Construction Computer Labs (in Building 50).


 

Even with extended evening and weekend access to these laboratories, some of our students opt to purchase their own computers and obtain their own software licenses.  The goal of this page is to provide a little guidance to our students who wish to purchase their own computing hardware.


 

Science and engineering professionals often require more powerful computer systems than might be used for everyday functions.  Portability is a key feature for our students, so we concentrate here on notebook/laptop configurations.  What we present below are some relatively current, minimum specifications students may use to guide purchasing decisions:

 

 

Features  

Standard 

Advanced 

Processor  Intel Core i5 (2.6 GHz+, 3 MB+ L3 cache)   Intel Core i7 (2.7 GHz+, 4 MB+ L3 cache)  
RAM  4.0 GB, DDR3 SDRAM  8.0 GB, DDR3 SDRAM 
Display   14” WSXGA (1440x900) or HD+ (1600x900)   15” WSXGA+ (1680x1050) or HD+ (1600x900) or FHD (1920x1080)  
Hard Disk Drive   250 GB 720 RPM HDD   320 GB 7200 RPM HDD  or 240 GB+ SSD
Optical Storage   8x DVD+/-RW (built-in)   8x Blu-Ray, DVD+/-RW (Built-in)  
Flash Media Reader   Multicard reader, at least SD and SDHC  Multicard reader, at least SD, SDHC , and SDXC 
Video Controller   512 MB discrete graphics adapter (NVIDIA, ATI, etc.)  1 GB discrete graphics adapter (NVIDIA, ATI, etc.) 
Network    10/100/1000 Ethernet Interface   10/100/1000 Ethernet Interface  
WiFi   802.11 b/g/n (WPA/WPA2)   802.11 b/g/n (WPA/WPA2)  
Bluetooth   Bluetooth 2.1-compliant or newer   Bluetooth 4.0-compliant  
Webcam / Mic   Built-in 720p webcam & mic   Built-in 720p webcam & mic  
Ports   USB 3.0/2.0 (3 or more); eSATA; external VGA/HDMI/DisplayPort; analog audio in and out   USB 3.0/2.0 (3 or more); eSATA; external VGA/HDMI/DisplayPort; analog audio in and out  
Battery   6-cell (60Wh)   9-cell (90 Wh) (optional)  
Warranty    3-yr NBD Onsite  with Accidental Damage Protection 4-yr NBD Onsite  with Accidental Damage Protection
OS  Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit   Any 64-bit Linux with virtual Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 

 

 

 

UNF has negotiated special discounts for our students from a number of vendors, including: