Randolph-Macon has an initiative option with Dell Computers. Dell has provided academic priced computers for your review. We do not require that you purchase from Dell, this is only for your information. Click on the link below to go to the Dell Online Store.
Randolph-Macon has an initiative option with Dell Computers. Dell has provided academic priced computers for your review. . Click on the link below to go to the Dell Online Store.
Student Computing:
R-MC has thirteen computing laboratories with 200 computers available for students in all disciplines. This translates to one computer for each 6.25 students! However, most students find it desirable to have a computer in their residence hall room or Fraternity or Sorority House. There is a network connection for each pillow (each student can directly connect to the campus data network and the world via wireless or ethernet port. If a student wishes to have their own computer on campus, we have several recommendations.
Recommended Minimum Configurations
The New Computer recommended below should adequately meet a student's on-campus computing needs for four years (although with the ever-changing innovations in technology, there are no guarantees). The Used Computer suggested below will need to be replaced, probably in a year or two.
Note: Repair services on student owned computers are not a function of the College's Information and Technology Services office. When time is available, limited support is offered to assist students with computer repairs. The age of computer systems impact heavily on the level of repairs required. ITS will not be able to provide service on student owned systems that fail to meet the recommended specifications listed below:
New Windows Computer |
Used Windows Computer |
| Intel or AMD Duo Core or Quad (2.5 GHz or greater) - faster than Pentium 4s (Laptops with Pentium M, Duo Core or Celeron M - 2.0 GHz plus) |
Intel or AMD duo core processor 2.0 GHz or greater (Laptops - 2.0 GHz plus) |
| 4 GB RAM |
2 GB RAM |
| 320 GB Hard Disk |
120 GB Hard Disk |
| LCD Monitor |
SVGA Monitor |
| **Wireless Printer NOT recommended** |
**Wireless Printer NOT recommended** |
| Ethernet card (10/100/1000 mbps) and cable |
Ethernet card (10/100/1000 mbps) and cable |
| 24X DVD+/-RW, Sound Card/speakers |
24X CD ROM, Sound Card/speakers |
| Windows 7 (all versions) or Windows 8 (all versions) |
Windows 7 (all versions) or Windows 8 (all versions) |
| Microsoft Office 2010 Professional or Office 2013 Pro* |
Microsoft Office 2010 Professional or Office 2013 Pro* |
| Antivirus Software * |
Antivirus Software * |
| NOTE: Numerous Wireless access points available on campus |
|
*Provided to all students by the College's Information and Technology Services (ITS) office under a Campus Agreement with Microsoft and installed after the start of the Academic year. This can equal a savings of $300 or more on the initial purchase price for a new PC. Please make sure that you do not select Microsoft Office when ordering a new computer system. Questions: Call ITS at (804) 752-8500.
Macintosh: Although Macintoshes are not our standard platform, if a student already owns a Macintosh system, it may be brought to campus and connected to the computing network. The minimum configuration for a Macintosh is any of the MAC series with at least a 1.6 GHz CPU, 2 GB RAM, 120 Gb Hard Drive, CD-ROM, Mac Operating System 10 (OS 10.. or higher), and ethernet connection.
The College has limited support for Apple/Macintosh systems so students with Macs will need to be more self-sufficient in meeting their computing needs.
Printers: For all systems, we recommend a quality ink-jet or laser printer.
Recommended Warranty & Service Contract
R-MC provides hardware maintenance for student-owned DELL computers with an active warranty only. It is strongly recommended that a student purchase the 3 yr. extended warranty for their system.
If a student has hardware problems but doesn't have a warranty on the computer, he or she will need to take their system to a local computer repair facility. The College's Information and Technology Services (ITS) will maintain a list of local area repair sites and provide this information when requested. However, ITS cannot recommend one repair site over another nor do we have any control over the quality and/or cost of their work.