Computer and Networking Lab

Tom Kelliher, CS 102

Feb. 8, 2006

Administrivia

Announcements

Quiz Friday (end of class). Questions?

Assignment

No assignment.

From Last Time

Hardware show and tell.

Outline

1. Introduction.

2. Lab.

Coming Up

Lab.

Introduction

1. Why buy more RAM when my PC is slow?

2. What is a basic PC today? Why might I want more or less? Example system: eMachines T3410 $400, after $50 rebate.
   1. Windows XP Home SP 2. Includes MS Works 8.0, MS Money 2005, MS Digital Image Starter Edition 2006, CyberLink PowerDVD, eMachines BigFix. Also includes Windows Media Player, Acrobat Reader, etc.

      Still needed: antivirus, antispyware (two), firewall (if on broadband).

   2. AMD Sempron processor 3400+ with 1600 MHz system bus, 256 KB L2 cache, and 2.0 GHz processor speed.

   3. 512 MB PC3200 DDR SRAM (watch out for video sharing). Expandable to 2GB.

      NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Graphics with up to ``128 MB shared video memory.'' (PCI Express slot for expansion.)

   4. 160 GB Ultra DMA hard drive with 2MB cache, 7200 RPM.

   5. DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive.

   6. Available expansion slots: 1 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16.

   7. 8-in-1 media card reader, no FireWire ports, 5 USB 2.0 ports.

   8. No diskette drive. One each, serial and parallel ports.

   9. V.92 modem and/or 10/100Base-T Ethernet networking interface.

   10. Integrated audio. Amplified speakers.

   11. 15'' or 17'' monitor (often not included).

   12. Basic $100 inkjet printer (often not included).

   13. One year warranty on parts and labor.

3. Notebook PCs.

4. Reliable brands: Apple, Sony, Dell, eMachines (also good brands).

5. Where to buy? Go to bizrate.com to get prices. Buy online or visit, Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Staples, etc. to buy.

6. Why might I want a MAC?

Lab

Tom Kelliher