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Computer Purchases for SIPA Students, Staff and Faculty
As a member of Columbia Univeristy, you are eligible for educational pricing for computer purchases with Columbia Vendors, Dell and Apple. Please note that Dell and Apple can change the discount on any product without warning. However, SIPA IT has worked with Apple to get SIPA additional savings as described below.
Disclaimer: SIPA IT is not responsible for making any recommendations or for support of any products you choose to purchase from any of the vendors listed below. If you have any questions regarding the purchase of a computer, please consult one of our technology staff members.
SIPA supports the following operating systems for administrators, staff and students in labs and offices.
- Microsoft Windows XP SP2
Apple Custom Store for SIPA students, staff and faculty
Apple offers a customized online store offering systems to School of International and Public Affairs students, faculty and staff at a substantial discount. Discounts will mean extra savings over and above the education discount on selected computer bundles. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a link to the Apple Store.
Users are encouraged to choose the Operating System that they are most comfortable with, but they should consider the following before making a purchase:
- All currently available Apple Macintosh models use Intel processors, which means that in addition to Mac OS X you are capable of running Windows XP/Vista, Linux and other Unix flavors natively using Boot Camp or via virtualization software such as Parallels, VMWare, etc. However, Apple does not authorize the Mac OS to run on computers from non-Apple vendors such as Sun, Dell or HP.
- For more information on runing Windows and Mac software on every Mac, see http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html. Note: You'll need a licensed copy of Windows and if not running Bootcamp will need virtualization software from Parallels or VMWare. You should consider the following minimum hardware requirements for a basic system. Apple Macintosh System Configuration with Boot Camp option.
Operating System: 10.4 (Tiger), 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: 1.5 Ghz or higher
RAM: 1 GB or higher
Hard Disk: 80 GB
Modem, Ethernet Port/Card, Wireless Connectivity
Optical Drive: DVD-RW Drive
Two Ways to Purchase Your Mac
Discounts vary as promotions change.
When you go to your Recommended Systems tile, you’ll see the laptops displayed but, you won’t see the extra discount on this screen— You have to click the green Add to Cart, then you’ll be able to seeany extra discount reflected in Promo Savings: on the side bar.
3. When you choose a system from the Recommended Systems tile, you won’t be able to further configure with more memory, larger hard drive, etc. Please refer to the options discussed below
Extra Discounts Available for the aluminum MacBooks, MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro’s.
Option 1 allows you to purchase with extra discount and allows you to configure the Mac with extra memory, larger hard drive, or add software or other peripheral devices.
Option 2 is the “Quick Checkout” by going to the Recommended Systems tile. You can select the Mac with discount and go right to checkout.
To access these bundles and more, click on this link:
Click here to go to the SIPA Custom Store (CU UNI required for authentication)
*Users who wish to run Microsoft Windows/Vista or Linux/Unix on a Mac might incur additional costs to purchase licensed copies of the operating system and/or virtualization software from Microsoft, Parallels, VMWare, etc.
Dell computers can be purchased by logging in with your UNI at: http://procurement.columbia.edu/purchasing//contracts/personal/dell-personal.asp
Note: Entering students who do not have an active UNI should call Dell at 1-800-695-8133 and give Columbia's Dell Member ID: US24184416.
We recommend the following minimum hardware requirements for a basic system.
Dell System Configuration:
- Operating System: Windows XP SP2
- Processor: 2 Ghz or higher
- RAM: 1 GB or higher
- Hard Disk: 80 GB
- Modem, Ethernet Port/Card, Wireless Connectivity
- Optical Drive: DVD-RW Drive