Barnard Faculty, staff and students are entitled to a discount for Dell or Apple computers. You can customize a computer to suit your needs.  

Faculty and Staff: Visit  the Computer Hardware Web Site for the University 
 

For the description of the College Desktop, see http://www.barnard.columbia.edu/at/Dell.htm
Our general advice for laptops is at: http://www.barnard.columbia.edu/at/BuyLaptop.html

Students: See  the Dell Buying Program

Notes:

• Minimum configuration suggested for a desktop or laptop: 2GB RAM,  120GB hard drive, DVD.
• Preferred configuration for desktop: 160GB hard drive, DVD-R.
• If you will connect to the Internet from home via your telephone line, you need a modem.  This will be quite slow.
• If you connect with DSL or a cable modem, you need a "network card" and a network cable.  Most computers have network capability built in.

• We are permitted to install one copy of Microsoft Office on the one home computer that is used for Barnard related work.  Do not purchase this directly from Dell or Apple.  Call x4-7172 to make an appointment to bring the computer to the Help Desk.

• Look at the general Dell site at www.Dell.com.  "Today's Special Package" price on the main Dell site may prove to be a better value on occasion.
• Consider the service contract.  Barnard purchases a three year contract for campus machines.
• Remember to include delivery and tax in your calculations.
• This transaction is directly between you and the manufacturer.  The Barnard Purchasing Department does not place this order.
• Academic Tech staff  can review your final quote.  We are available to meet on most Tuesdays at 10 a.m.  Please call 854-7172 to schedule an appointment.

• Read Columbia's advice on computer purchases.

Related topics:

• Discount from J & R
• Technical support for Home computers
• Connecting to the Internet from home
• Software
• Printers

last update 03/17/08