ITS User Services understands that buying a computer can be stressful.
This portion of the site is designed to educate you on computer
purchasing and take the stress out of finding the perfect
computer for your child. If you have any questions please click on the
Feedback link so that we can add
them to the FAQ. Please feel free to
give us a call at 601-974-1144.
To connect to the Millsaps College wired network a computer
will need to be equipped with a network adapter. Most computers that are produced
today come with one automatically builit in to the motherboard but you should always
ask to make sure.
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The hardware recommendations below are high end configurations as of
July 2007. The higher end configuration guaranties that your computer
purchase will last all four years at Millsaps, and will allow the system
to be upgraded to Windows Vista in the future if so desired. If you have
any questions concerning any of the information below please feel free to
call ITS User Services at 601-974-1144.
2 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
2 GB of system memory
256 MB of graphics memory
DVD-ROM Drive3
Audio output capability
Internet access capability
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The general hardware recommendations should allow the average
computer user to surf the internet, check email, and use
office applications with resources to spare. For those students
who are more avid computer users and enjoy computer games,
graphic design, video editing, and other high end applications may
consider upgrading the general hardware recommendations to insure
that their system will last all four years at Millsaps.
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Laptops have a constant tug-of-war. The question that needs to be answered first is:
Do I want a true mobile computer, or a portable desktop, or something in between?
A true mobile computer will have one of two scenarios:
Lower end hardware, to save battery life
Lowers the cost of the true mobile computer.
Comparable high end hardware, that is more energy efficient
Increased the cost of the true mobile computer.
These laptops will be extremely mobile and great for students who enjoy
the outdoors and wish to actually use their laptop without worrying about
an outlet near by.
A portable desktop is a high end laptop that can do everything that a
desktop can do if not more. This is a great laptop for students that
want a semi-mobile computer with out sacrificing performance. Semi-mobile
means that they will have to charge their laptop up more frequently.
It also takes into consideration that most laptops that fall into this
category are not light.
Something in between is the best of both worlds. The laptop has good
qualities from the other choices. It is not the most powerful laptop
on the market, but has good battery life along with an average weight.
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The software recommendations allow students to integrate
with the current college network and lab environment without
having to spend money on software that Millsaps College
provides free to students.
Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Professional allows for maximum integration with in
the Millsaps network and lab environment. Support for Windows XP
is unparallel. It is the operating system found on all faculty,
staff, and lab machines. Windows XP is supported by the full
time staff of ITS along with the ResCons. It is also provided
free of charge to all current students.
Why not Windows Vista?
Windows Vista is currently too new and has not been tested on
our network. There is currently no support for this operating
system on campus. When students running Vista encounter a
problem ITS recommends that they install Windows XP Professional.
Why not Mac OS X?
Millsaps College is a Windows environment. Support for
Macintosh computers is very low and only includes minimum
documentation.
Microsoft Office 2003 Professional
Office 2003 allows for maximum integration with in the Millsaps lab
environment. Office 2003 Professional is installed on all faculty,
staff, and lab machines. ITS User Services not only supports all
applications with in Office 2003 but also offers training classes
to improve users proficiency. It is also provided free of charge
to all current students.
Why not Office 2007?
Documents that are created in Office 2007 cannot be opened
by Office 2003 by default. This causes issues when sending
assignments to professors by email, or trying to work on a
document in one of the computer labs. Office 2007 is
currently not supported by any ITS personal.
For those users who have Macintosh computers Office 2004 is
provided free of charge to all current students. Support for
Office 2004 is minimal.
McAfee
McAfee Virus Scan is provided free of charge to all current students
who live on campus and have a Microsoft Windows based PC. The virus
scan will be installed on move in day. To be sure that your computer
is protected before that date it is recommended that you select a
trial version with your new PC purchase.
Millsaps College has had a partnership with Dell since 2001 to help all students receive
computers for a reasonable price from a leading manufacturer. The prices on these computers
are typically discounted up to 12% of their retail prices through this educational partnership.
However, your purchases are not restricted to these pre-configured models. Through this web
site, you also have access to view the full catalog of Dell products, including scanners,
printers, and other accessories each with a discount off the regular retail price.
Lastly, you are not restricted to using the Internet to order these computers. If you would
like to make your final order by telephone, simply call the Educational Computing Initiative
sales number at 1-888-987-3355, and give them Member ID US15151048, so they know you are
affiliated with Millsaps.
Please understand that the Millsaps Post office requests that all deliveries be made to a
home address. Also, all shipping and billing inquiries should be directed to Dell, not
Millsaps College.
Millsaps College is a College
of the United Methodist Church.
Learn More.
