Penn Tech Recommends Non-Apple Laptop for Students

[kepner]

http://www.pct.edu/schools/BCT/comp_sci/pdfs/Laptop_Requirement.pdf

Minimum Hardware and Operating System Requirements:
• Equivalent of an Intel® Core 2 DUO processor (2 GHz)
• XGA TFT Active Matrix Display
• SVGA/XGA Video Adapter
• 2 GB Memory
• 120 GB Hard Drive
• DVD-RW Drive
• Integrated 10/100 Ethernet adapter
• Integrated 802.11b/g wireless network adapter
• Integrated sound and stereo speakers, headphone/speaker jack, and microphone jacks
• Lithium ion battery with AC pack
• Extra Lithium ion battery
• Extended Service Plan
• Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional or Vista® Ultimate

Note: The purchase of Apple computers or substantial deviations from the minimum requirements stated above may result in
potential hardware/software compatibility problems in current or advanced CIT courses.

This angers me. Do you see any reason why a MacBook Pro running Boot Camp could not fit their requirements?

 

[atszyman]

http://www.pct.edu/schools/BCT/comp_sci/pdfs/Laptop_Requirement.pdf





This angers me. Do you see any reason why a MacBook Pro running Boot Camp could not fit their requirements?

The note is most likely a holdover from back in the day when Apple computers could not run Windows natively and had to rely on virtual machines at the cost of speed in order to run Windows Applications.

If the Apple computer meets all of the requirements and has Windows installed via Boot Camp, then it meets all the requirements and would be a valid choice.

 

[Eraserhead]

I don't see why a Mac with Boot Camp would be a problem, check though.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

I see this as liability to cover their @ss. Go get an MBP and be done with it!

 

[kepner]

The note is most likely a holdover from back in the day when Apple computers could not run Windows natively

That's what I assumed.

What about the "SVGA/XGA Video Adapter". That's the only thing that looks foreign to me. I'm assuming that's for connecting external monitors or projectors for presentations. Certainly the included DVI-to-VGA dongle would cover that?

I'm pretty sure I'll get an MBP regardless of what I hear from them. I'm almost certain it'll be an advantage more often than a problem.

 

[twoodcc]

That's what I assumed.

What about the "SVGA/XGA Video Adapter". That's the only thing that looks foreign to me. I'm assuming that's for connecting external monitors or projectors for presentations. Certainly the included DVI-to-VGA dongle would cover that?

I pretty sure I'm going to go with the MBP regardless of what I hear from them. I'm almost certain it'll be an advantage more often than a problem.

yes, it sounds like it's talking about connecting to a projector in the classroom, and can be done with the adapter.

 

[pastrychef]

http://www.pct.edu/schools/BCT/comp_sci/pdfs/Laptop_Requirement.pdfThis angers me. Do you see any reason why a MacBook Pro running Boot Camp could not fit their requirements?

Nope. I don't see any reason how it would not fit their requirements.

 

[portent]

Usually, those recommendations are drummed up by the MCSEs that run the school IT department, not the faculty who actually teach the classes.

Still, think about finding a better school....