Computer Purchasing FAQs

Should I bring a personal computer to Calvin?
Does Calvin require that students own a computer?
Can I bring a computer I already own?
If I decide to purchase a new computer, what should I buy?
Should I get a desktop or a laptop?
Should I get a Mac or a PC?
Where should I buy a computer?
What about an extended warranty?
Should I get my computer insured?
What support does Calvin College offer for personally-owned computers?
What software should I have on my computer?
Do I need to buy additional peripherals or storage?
Are there discounts available to students?
What about wireless access points?

Should I bring a personal computer to Calvin?

Although Calvin does not require that students purchase a computer, having a personal computer is a great convenience. Computers and the Internet have become an important tool in our everyday lives, and this certainly holds true at Calvin College. Calvin students do have access to our computer labs and use of our state-of-the-art campus data network; however, many students enjoy the benefits of owning a computer.

Convenience - Most of Calvin's faculty are currently using online material to enhance their classroom teaching. Students who have a personal computer connected to the Internet have unlimited access to these academic resources. Although Calvin does provide over 600 computers across campus for student use, occasionally there is greater demand for computers than the resources available.

Access - Students with personal computers can use them whenever they need, at any time of the day. On-campus students with computers can also use ResNet, Calvin's high-speed Internet and network service. All Calvin students have access to Calvin Wireless, our growing wireless Internet service.

Study Habits - Students have differing study habits. Some do their best work in a quiet environment while others can be productive surrounded by people. If a student owns a computer, especially a laptop, he/she has more control over the environment in which he/she chooses to work in.

Does Calvin require that students own a computer?

No. Students can choose not to bring a personal computer to Calvin, opting instead to make use of the public computers available. There are computers available in each dorm, the library (the Information Technology Center computer lab), and many public labs throughout the academic buildings.

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Can I bring a computer I already own?

Many students bring computers from home, and in most cases, these computers are adequate. Using an older computer can be an ideal solution because it gives you the opportunity to delay purchasing a new computer, and it allows you to better determine your long-term needs.

A computer system that meets the minimum standards provides an acceptable level of performance. For general purpose computing (e.g., word processing, e-mail, and Internet access) an older computer may be adequate. However, some students may have additional needs that warrant using a computer beyond these minimums. Keep in mind, an older computer may not be useful in a year or two.

If your computer system does not meet or exceed the published minimum standards, we recommend that you upgrade your current computer system or purchase a new one. The Calvin Information Technology (CIT) HelpDesk does not offer technical support for wireless (CalvinStudents) or wired (ResNet) access on computers that do not meet or exceed our minimum standards.

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If I decide to purchase a new computer, what should I buy?

Memory (RAM) - The amount of memory installed in your computer is one of the biggest factors in its performance. The more memory you have, the faster your software will run. With more memory you can run more applications at once and it is easier to switch between them. Adding additional memory is relatively inexpensive.
Preferred: At least 2 GB
Minimum: 1 GB for HelpDesk support with computer issues

Make sure to purchase a computer that allows for more memory to be added.
If you own a laptop or notebook computer, having additional memory is important. When a system is low on memory, disk activity increases, draining the battery more rapidly.
Make sure that your computer has enough RAM to power the antivirus program you are using.

Hard Disk Space - New computer systems commonly come with hard drives that hold 100 GB (gigabytes) or more. Most systems allow you to add more disk space later.
Minimum: 2 GB or more free space available

Operating System - New computer systems typically come with the operating systems (e.g. Windows 7) pre-installed. Students should bring the original operating system CDs with them to Calvin in the event that the operating system needs to be reinstalled.
Minimum: Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2 or Windows 7 (preferred). Mac OS 10.4 or later (Mac OS 10.6 preferred).

Networking -To connect to Calvin's wired (ResNet) service, you need a network interface card (NIC) and a category 5 ethernet cable (not a phone cable).

We recommend that you have the NIC installed prior to arrival at Calvin. In any situation, Calvin reserves the right to suggest a subscriber try a different brand, model or type of NIC or other hardware if a ResNet connection proves unsuccessful.

Monitor - With a desktop computer we recommend you not purchase anything smaller than a 15-inch monitor. Regardless of screen size, your monitor should be capable of display at a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels with at least 16-bit color. As flat panel monitors continue to come down in price, they are becoming a good option since they fit nicely on the desks in the residence halls.
Recommended Minimum Resolution: 1024x768

Printer - Having your own printer can be a great convenience. Calvin does provide laser printing services in all public access computing labs including the dorms and apartments. Each student receives a built-in print quota of $30 every semester. Print jobs are automatically charged against this quota. If you exceed the quota, the additional charges will appear on your Miscellaneous Charges bill (you will not be denied printing if you have exceeded the quota). We have a web interface called Paper Cut which allows students to login from any computer including your personal computer and send print jobs to a public printer. You do not need to login to a lab computer to print to the lab printer.

Should I get a desktop or a laptop?

In the end, the decision as to whether to purchase a desktop or laptop computer is one of personal preference. Some things to consider:

CalvinStudents - Wireless network access is available in many areas around campus, including all dorms and apartments, Hekman Library, Johnny's, the Fish House and the DeVos Forum. For a current list of hotspots, visit our Wireless Access page.

Portability - With a laptop, you can take your computer anywhere, especially if you like to take notes during class, need to work in a quiet location, want to work in a group, or want to use the laptop for a presentation.

Security - Because laptops are portable, they are easier to steal. We recommend you purchase a security cable and lock system.

Cost - Laptop computers tend to cost more than desktops for the same amount of computing power.

Size - You might want to take into consideration the size of your computer. Desktop computers have the tendency to occupy a lot of space. Some monitors may stand from 17-20 inches high. The dimensions of a desk in the residence halls are as follows:

length = 36 inches
width = 22.5 inches
space between the desktop surface and first shelf = 15 inches

Repair and Upgrade - Laptops cost more to repair as spare parts are more expensive.

Should I get a Mac or a PC?

The short answer is….personal preference! It really doesn’t matter. CIT supports both as far as assisting with access to wireless (CalvinStudents) and wired (ResNet) internet, providing and supporting an antivirus program, and offering student computer support services.

If you do not have a personal preference, it is best to consider the programs you are interested in studying and whether not these programs/departments have their own recommendations for which type of computer to buy.

Where should I buy a computer?

You can order your computer system by mail order, telephone, or via the Web. The clarity of the monitor or the comfort of the keyboard are important factors to consider in making your purchase, and testing is only available at a retail outlet. Purchasing a computer through a national retailer or major manufacturer can make getting repairs and/or upgrades easier.

Calvin is part of the Dell Education Personal Purchase Program (EPP) that gives Calvin employees and students discounts for Dell purchases. You may shop online at the Apple Store for Education and click on the Education discounts for discounts on Apple products including iPods. HP offers the HP Academy program which includes educational discounts on certain products.

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What about an extended warranty?

You should consider purchasing an extended warranty, or at least an accidental protection plan. Warranties can be on-site, depot (mail back), or carry-in. The Calvin HelpDesk does not provide hardware repair services. Depot or carry-in service will leave you without your computer while repairs are performed. On-site means the warranty provider will come to you. On-site is common for desktop models, but is rare for laptop/notebook models.

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Should I get my computer insured?

You may want to consider getting your computer insured by including on a "special rider" on your parent's home owners insurance policy. This will cover accidental damage such as liquid spilling on your laptop or the computer being dropped/broken that normal computer warranties do not cover.

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What support does Calvin College offer for personally-owned computers?

Calvin Information Technology assists in installation of supported network cards for ResNet for computers that meet our minimum support standards. We recommend having your network card installed prior to coming to Calvin, to make the connection process easier and to avoid voiding your warranty. We are unable, however, to provide hardware support. There are a number of reliable companies near Calvin's campus that offer these services and may be able to work under your warranty agreement.

We also offer virus / spyware removal and computer diagnostic services. Bring your computer down to the HelpDesk if you are having any trouble with your computer. We will try our best to fix your computer, but if it involves failing hardware or OS reinstallation, we offer recommendations and service shops in the Grand Rapids area that will help you out.

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What software should I have on my computer?

The following software packages are widely used at Calvin College:

Virus Protection - It is very important to utilize and maintain antivirus software. Maintenance of your antivirus software includes regularly updating your antivirus definitions. You do not have to purchase additional antivirus coverage as Symantec Endpoint is provided free by Calvin Information Technology. In order to register on our wireless (CalvinStudents) and wired (ResNet) networks, the computer must have a valid, updated antivirus program installed. If your new computer comes with a trial version, you do not need to purchase a license for that program, you can download Symantec Endpoint Protection from Calvin for free or use one of the other accepted programs. Do not install more than one antivirus program; running more than one antivirus program can slow down the computer and cause problems.

Desktop Productivity - The standard suite of office productivity software at Calvin is Microsoft Office suite, which includes word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), and presentation software (PowerPoint). For the 2011-2012 school year, Calvin lab and classroom computers will have Office 2010 installed. If you have Office 2003 or earlier installed on your computer, you will need to download a compatibility pack in order to view Office 2007/8 and Office 2010/11 documents properly. If you are going to purchase any software with your new computer, Microsoft Office (with Word, PowerPoint and Excel at minimum) is the one that we recommend. The latest versions are Office 2010 for PC and Office 2011 for Mac. When you buy a new computer, you often have the option of purchasing this software as part of the bundle; however the Calvin Campus Store offers a significant discount for students - $79.99 vs. list price $149.99. You can purchase this from the Campus Store when you arrive at the beginning of the school year or when you are visiting for Passport.

Web Browser - In order to access Calvin's Web resources, you need a Web browser and either ResNet service or access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The browsers currently used on Calvin's campus are Microsoft Internet Explorer (PC), Mozilla Firefox (PC and Mac) and Safari (Mac). You may also need to install browser plug-ins such as Adobe Acrobat, Shockwave or Flash. Internet browsers and all the listed plug-ins are available free-of-charge from the Web.

e-mail - Your Calvin e-mail is accessible from any standard Web browser at https://mail.students.calvin.edu. No additional software is necessary.

Academic Software - Many of the software applications used in classes are available for you to purchase from the Calvin Campus Store.

Do I need to buy additional peripherals or storage?

In short, no, CIT does not require you to purchase anything technology related. We do however recommend that you consider purchasing and using an external hard drive for backing up and storing your personal files. If you experience problems with your computer, the HelpDesk may be able to assist with recovering files off the hard drive but we require you to provide an external hard drive so we have a place to put your recovered files. There are two types of external drives: portable and desktop. "Portable" drives are smaller and flatter and have only one cable that connects to the computer and uses this connection to draw power from the computer. "Desktop" drives can be larger as they sometimes include a fan for cooling. They also have a cable that connects to the computer, but receive power from a second cable that plugs into an electrical socket. You should be able to find a suitable drive of either type for under $100 depending on how much space you want.

As a Calvin student you will have access to 2GB of personal network drive space for storing your academic and personal files. When you login to a Calvin computer (such as in a public computer lab), you will automatically be connected to this space so that you can save directly to it and access the files as you would any other folder on the computer. You can also use the Novell Netstorage web client to download and upload files to your network drive from any computer. CIT recommends always backing up and saving important academic files to this space because we run daily backups of the network drives. Files saved to this space can be restored in the event of hardware failure or accidental deletion.

Are there discounts available to students?

Yes! Calvin is part of the Dell Education Personal Purchase Program (EPP) that gives Calvin employees and students discounts for Dell purchases. You may shop online at the Apple Store for Education and click on the Education discounts for discounts on Apple products including iPods. HP offers the HP Academy program which includes educational discounts on certain products.

The Calvin Campus Store also sells some hardware, operating systems, and external storage devices. Microsoft Office 2010 (PC) and Microsoft Office 2011 (Mac) are available to students for $79.99 (list price from Microsoft is $149.99). You can purchase this from the Campus Store when you arrive at the beginning of the school year or when you are visiting for Passport.

What about wireless access points?

The attachment of any wireless access point to the Calvin network is a violation of Calvin's Policy on Responsible Use of Technology. If you would like to connect your computer via your wireless NIC, please connect to CalvinStudents. It is now available in all dorms and apartments on campus.

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