Recommended PCs - CMU/SCS Computing Facilities

The following PC configurations, in four main categories, are recommended by SCS Facilities :

Laptops
Desktops
Servers
Macintosh

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 .

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

Note: The SCS Facilities versions of Linux are NOT supported on these recommended laptops

Standard: Dell Latitude E6420

Intel® Core i7-2760QM (2.40GHz, 6M cache), 14" HD(1366x768) Anti-Glare LED-backlit Display, 8GB ram, 500GB 7200 rpm Hard Drive, DVD±RW, wireless 802.11a/b/g/n, webcam, 6 cell battery, includes accidental damage protection $1,544.50

Dell Latitude E6220

Intel Core i7-2640M Processor (2.8GHz), 12.5" HD (1366x768) Anti-Glare LED-backlit Display, 4 GB ram (1 DIMM), 256 GB Solid State Drive, Bluetooth, Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n, includes accidental damage protection $2,092.70

Standard: Lenovo Thinkpad T420

Intel® Core i7-2640M (2.80GHz), 4GB ram, 500GB Hard Drive, DVD±RW, 14" 1600 x 90 Display, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n, webcam, Bluetooth 3.0, 6 cell battery, includes accidental damage protection and docking station $1,436.85

Ultra Portable: Lenovo Thinkpad X220

Intel Core i7-2620M Processor (2.7GHz), 12.5" HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, 4 GB ram, 160 GB Solid State Drive, Bluetooth 3.0, Wireless b/g/n, includes accidental damage protection $1,998

Recommended desktops

Standard: Optiplex 790 Mini Tower

Intel® Core i7 2600 (3.4GHz), 8gb ram, 1TB 7200 rpm hard drive, 1GB AMD Radeon 6450 graphics card, Dell U2312H 23" Flat Panel Display $1091.50

Performance: Precision Workstation T3500

These systems are custom configured to meet the needs of users requiring greater computing power and expansion. One of our technical consultants will configure a system to meet your needs Call for Pricing

Recommended servers

Dell PowerEdge R410 (1U rack mount chassis) Note: 4 x 3.5" disks or 4 x 2.5" disks Up to 64GB of memory

Dell PowerEdge R710 (2U rack mount chassis) Note: 8 x 2.5" disks or 6 x 3.5" disks Up to 144GB of memory

Dell PowerEdge T710 (High performance tower) Note: 16 x 2.5" disks or 8 x 3.5" disks Up to 144GB of memory

Dell PowerEdge R900 (4U High performance rack mount chassis) Note: 8 x 2.5" disks or 5 x 3.5" disks Up to 256GB of memory

Recommended Macintosh Models

Standard: Macbook Pro 13.3-inch

Widescreen, 2.3GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 processor with 3MB shared L3 cache, 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 memory, two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB, 320GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, Intel HD Graphics 3000, Applecare $1,281

Standard: Macbook Pro 15.4-inch

Widescreen, 2.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 processor with 3MB shared L3 cache, 4GB (two 2GB SODIMMs) 1333MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB, 500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, Intel HD Graphics 3000 (integrated) and AMD Radeon HD 6490M (discrete), Applecare protection included $1,938

Standard: iMac 21.5-inch

2.5GHz Intel Core i5, 1920 x 1080 resolution, 4GB (two 2GB) memory, 500GB hard drive, ATI Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB, Applecare protection included $1,269

For other Macintosh configurations and prices, see the CMU Computer Store site.