Agriculture Information Technology

Advisory Group (AITAG)

 

Baseline Hardware for North Dakota State University
Agriculture and University Extension

Developed by the Ag IT Advisory Group

updated July 2, 2008

 

New Computer Purchases | Support Specs / End of Life | Digital Projectors

Digital Cameras | Printers | Scanners | Video Conferencing Equipment | Webcams


2008 Summer Costshare Information (6/18/08)

This summer, instead of Dell computers, we will be ordering systems from Hewlett Packard. These systems and prices will follow the information provided below for NDACo systems. Please keep in mind that these prices are estimates only and can change prior to order. NDACo pricing may also vary slightly from NDSU ordered systems.

Dell computers will still be avaliable to those that want them. However, cost share will only cover 50% of what a comparable HP system would cost.

 

Two components of the baseline hardware are: 1) recommended specifications for new computers, and 2) minimum specifications for current computers.

 

Recommended Specifications for New Computer Purchases

Component

Desktop

Notebook

 
NDSU Supported Offices
NDSU CostShare
&
NDACo Supported Offices
NDSU Supported Offices
NDSU CostShare
&
NDACo Supported Offices
Computer Model
Dell GX755
HP dc7800
Dell D630
HP 8510p
RAM

2GB

2GB 2GB 2GB
CPU speed

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
Hard drive size

250GB

250GB 120GB 120GB
CD/DVD drive

DVD +/- RW

DVD +/- RW DVD +/- RW DVD +/- RW
Sound system

integrated

integrated integrated integrated
Keyboard

USB

USB integrated integrated
Mouse optical optical touchpad touchpad
Monitor 19" LCD 19" LCD 14.1" WXGA
built-in display
15.4" WXGA built-in display
Ethernet card integrated integrated integrated integrated
Wireless network card no no integrated 802.11b(g) integrated 802.11a/b/g
Other ports USB 2.0, parallel USB 2.0, parallel USB 2.0 USB 2.0
Modem no no 56k 56k
Video 256MB video 256MB video 128MB integrated video 256MB integrated video
Warranty 4 years 4 years 4 years 4 Years
Operating System Vista Home Basic downgraded to Win XP Pro Win XP Pro Vista Home Basic downgraded to Win XP Pro Win XP Pro
Carrying Bag N/A N/A Standard Nylon Standard Nylon
Estimated Unit Cost $1,350 $1050**

$1,600

$1,400**
For the following items, add the price to the estimated unit cost.
  LCD monitor
(19" Included with desktop) (19" Included with desktop) $320 $325
Port replicator
N/A N/A $150 $159
USB Floppy Drive
N/A N/A $29 $29
External keyboard
(Included with desktop) (Included with desktop) $30 $30
External optical mouse
(Included with desktop) (Included with desktop) $20 $20
External speakers (bar)
(Included with desktop) (Included with desktop) $40 N/A

Note: View lists and prices of NDSU site-licensed software.

*Counties supported by the NDACo: please visit with your local NDACo technician about ordering a NDACo supported HP that meets the minimum specifications listed above.

** These systems are available to NDSU supported offices when ordering computers through cost share and also to NDACo supported offices ordering through their NDACo technician. Currently, we are only able to purchase HP systems in batch orders. This means that for now we are unable to place individual orders outside of cost share.. We are working to develop a more streamlined purchasing process that will allow purchase of individual computers in the future.

Monitor, keyboard, and mouse are integrated into laptops. If a laptop is to be used as a desktop replacement, the user may want to consider purchasing a port replicator, as well as an external  monitor, keyboard, and mouse.  

  • A port replicator is for users who want to turn their notebook into a desktop by connecting common peripherals (monitor, keyboard, mouse and output devices) as well as a network connection. The port is vendor and/or model specific. For best prices, it should be purchased with the laptop. It can be purchased later, but at a higher price.

 

Minimum Specifications & End of Life for Current Computers

Current computers, at a minimum, should be capable of effectively using Windows 2000 or XP Pro. AITAG currently recommends that computers be replaced every 4 years.

To receive computer support, a computer must be as good or better than the following:

Component Current Specification 6 - 12 Month Estimated Specs
Minimum CPU Pentium 4, 1.8 GHz Pentium 4, 2.5 GHz
Minimum RAM 1 GB 1 GB
Minimum hard drive size 40GB 40GB
Minimum disk drive configuration CD-RW/DVD ROM Combo CD-RW/DVD ROM Combo
Minimum Video Integrated 32MB 64MB

For Dell computers, here are the support cut-off dates:

Dell Optiplex Model

Support End Date

Optiplex GX400 Not Supported
Optiplex GX150 Not Supported
Optiplex GX240 Not Supported
Optiplex GX260 June 30, 2009
Optiplex GX270 June 30, 2010
Optiplex GX280 June 30, 2011

 

Peripherals

Agriculture faculty and staff are encouraged to contact the following Agriculture Communication staff for recommendations on hardware peripherals.

The Agriculture Communication staff can assist offices with ordering projectors and printers; however, if offices want help with the cost, they should place their order only AFTER they have obtained approval from administration. The ordering of all other peripherals and accessories is the responsibility of each individual county office or department.

Digital Projector

Baseline Specifications

    • 2000 ANSI Lumens or better (brightness)
    • 2000 hour lamp
    • XGA resolution (1024x768)
    • 1 year lamp warranty
    • 3 year projector warranty

      Estimated Unit Cost = $1000



Actual System Specifications

Viewsonic PJ559D DLP Projector

  • 2700 ANSI Lumens
  • 3500 hour lamp
  • XGA resolution
  • 3 year warranty, 1 year on lamp
  • Dimensions (WxDxH): 8.9 " x 4.3 " x 8.8"
  • 6 lbs

    Estimated Unit Cost = $930

Digital Cameras
Each office is urged to conduct their own research to purchase a camera that meets their individual needs. Here are a few sites that may help:

* - This website requires a login & password. Please contact Becky Koch for this information.

Becky Koch, Becky.Koch@ndsu.edu, 701-231-7875
Printers
Jon Fry, Jon.Fry@ndsu.edu, 701-231-7934
Scanners
Deb Tanner, Deb.Tanner@ndsu.edu, 701-231-7891
Videoconferencing Equipment

Standard Definition Package

$6750 - VSX 7400 Presenter

  • VSX 7000s
  • 1 microphone array
  • Visual Concert VSX
  • People Plus Content (P+C IP)
  • Remote
  • 3-year maintenance agreement

High Definition Package

$8300 - HDX 8002 XL

  • HD codec
  • Eagle Eye HD camera
  • HDX microphone array
  • People Plus Content (P+C)
  • People Over Content (PoC)
  • Remote
  • 3-year maintenance agreement

Requires minimum of two T1 lines to function in HD

Please contact Mike Miller for assistance in determining which option will best fit your office's situation.
 
Mike Miller, Mike.Miller@ndsu.edu , 701-857-7677
Webconferencing
Webcams

The following webcams are currently supported for use with Wimba webconferencing:

 

Apple
  • iSight (also built-in on many newer Apple computers)

Creative
ecamm
Logitech
Microsoft

 

Please contact Bruce Sundeen for assistance with questions about webcams or Wimba.
 

 

Additional Wimba support can be found by visiting:
h
ttp://www.ag.ndsu.edu/wimba/

 

 

 


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