Residential Networking

Tech Information for New Students

The following is information about room connections, computer specs, software needs, computing resources on campus, and other helpful tidbits.

Room Connections

Pitzer College Residential Networking provides high speed (Gigabit) Ethernet connections in all the residence halls on campus. Wireless access points are not only available throughout the first-year residence halls but vastly around Pitzer's campus. To use these connections, you will need a computer that is powerful enough to handle the demands of the Internet and everyday use.

Recommended Computer Specifications

If you are considering buying a new computer for college or you are bringing an existing computer, you will want to get a machine that is powerful enough to last up to four years at Pitzer. We don't recommend brands, as they are a personal preference. We do recommend you obtain a good warranty that would protect you against hardware issues and/or accidents as well as access to local repair facilities should the need arise. We have developed a set of recommended minimum specifications to assist you in your purchase.

Note: These specifications are listed here only as a general guideline and are presented for your convenience. Actual needs may vary depending on how the computer is used.

Recommended Minimum Specifications for Desktops
Device	PCs	Macs
Processor Speed	Intel Core 2 Duo or higher	Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz or higher
Hard Drive	160GB	160GB
RAM	2GB	2GB
Ethernet	10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet	10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
CD-Rom	CD-RW/DVD	CD-RW/DVD
Display	Color, 17"	Color, 17"
Operating System	Win XP sp3 or Win 7	Mac OS X 10.5 or Better
Software	MS Office 2007 or Word processing software	MS Office 2007 or Word processing software
Optional devices	USB flash drive for transporting files and external drive for device backup	USB flash drive for transporting files and external drive for device backup
Recommended Minimum Specifications for Laptops
Processor Speed	Intel Core 2 Duo or higher	Intel Core Duo or higher
Hard Disk	160GB	160GB
Ethernet	10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet	10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Ram	2GB	2GB
CD-ROM	CD-RW/DVD	CD-RW/DVD
Operating System	Win XP sp3 or Win 7	Mac OS X 10.5 or Better
Wi_Fi	802.11 b/g/n	802.11 b/g/n
Software	MS Office 2007 or Word processing software	MS Office 2007 or Word processing software
Optional devices	USB flash drive for transporting files and external drive for device backup	USB flash drive for transporting files and external drive for device backup

Network - Wireless vs Ethernet

If you are bringing a desktop most likely you will connect via ethernet. You will need a Category 6 network cable with RJ-45 Ethernet connections. Pitzer will provide you with a 10-14ft cable on move in day. If you are bringing a laptop, or your desktop is fitted with a wireless card, you will have the choice in your room to connect via wireless (a 56K connection) or via ethernet (a 1G connection). We always recommend plugging in when at all possible. It is much faster for streaming and downloads. Once on campus you will have the opportunity to go thru computer orientation which will help answer your questions. At that time you will be able to register your wireless devices in order to access the colleges 5-C network.

Campus Computing Facilities

Don't have a computer? No problem! If you would like a quiet place to study online, write papers or use a printer, you can use one of the computing facilities on campus. The Bernard Computer Lab is staffed with student consultants who are available to assist you and help you with installed software.