Minimum Hardware Guidelines

January 1, 2008
To: Faculty and Staff

From: Mike Zachar
Director of Computing Services

Re: Updated Minimum Hardware Requirements for Desktop Support (Effective January 2009)

The Faculty Advisory Committee on Social Science Computing (FACSSC) has considered the problems of disproportionate burdens by old computers incapable of running current software on services from Social Sciences Computing Services.  Service calls on old machines take relatively large amounts of time.  Consequently, Computing Services increasingly struggles to provide satisfactory support for all clients.  To help resolve this problem, the FACSSC supports a policy on minimum hardware requirements for desktop support.  This policy was initiated beginning January 1, 2001.

This policy extends to desktop computers bought with University funds (includes grants and gifts) that are kept at home.  Computing Services supports these machines only if they are brought on-site to the University.  The policy, however, does not extend to machines used as lab instruments, as they are not used in the traditional role of desktop computers.

The division provides desktop support services only to those desktops that meet the minimum hardware requirements.  Each machine, however, does not have to have the latest OS or applications; it just needs to be physically capable running them.  If a machine is incapable of running the latest OS, applications, or utility programs then it will eventually not be able to fulfill its function.

Building new machines purchased without an OS will also not be supported.  Individuals may like to purchase such machines as they have low prices.  However, the impact on SSCS can be several workdays per machine, thereby increasing costs for Computing Services and taking time away from other clients.

The most current operating systems and primary application for the PC is Windows Vista running Microsoft Office 2007.  The Windows Vista Operating System has had its problems and we are not advocating or mandating its adoption at this time.  We are, however, requiring that machines be capable of running it by January 2009.  A relatively small number of machines are impacted by this policy.  The processor mentioned below as the Intel minimum was first produced around August 2001.  A chart is attached that lists versions of Intel processors that are or are not compliant with the new minimum hardware requirements. 

The most current operating system and primary application for the Mac will be OS 10.5 running Microsoft Office Mac 2008.  

The minimum hardware requirements to run these configurations are as follows:

There are two categories of upgrades to meet minimum hardware requirements. The first is more RAM. The second is purchasing a new machine.  In June 2008, SSD Computing Services will start working on the effected machines to bring them to the new standard. We intend to have the new standard installed and effective across the division by January 2009.  Staff from Computing Services will consult with each faculty member and staff affected by this policy.  We wish to manage this change with as much comfort as possible.

Computing Services will make every attempt to complete the bulk of the work during the Summer Quarter. The Summer Quarter is the least disruptive to our clients and when demand for our other services is lowest. As for future minimum hardware requirement, we anticipate that individuals would replace Macs and PCs every 3 to 4 years (shorter if used machines are bought) to comply with minimum hardware requirements.

We believe that the policy on minimum hardware requirements for desktop computers will continue to provide stable and effective computing for the division.

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