Recommended Computer Specifications for Public Libraries

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Patron Computer

Hardware: Hard Drive and RAM

  • Minimum 80GB hard drive
  • Suggested 120 GB or more depending on how much software you plan to have on patron computers\
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM ; Suggested 3 GB RAM
  • Networking: Ethernet Network card (NIC) or wireless card

Operating System

DO NOT purchase Vista Home Basic

  • Vista Home Premium: minimum recommendation. This will be suitable for most small libraries. Note: Vista Home Premium will not work if you have a domain set up on your network.
  • Vista Business or Vista Ultimate are also suitable but more expensive.
  • See this article for more info: Windows Vista Review: Part 2: Understanding the Vista Product Editions
  • You may still find offers to purchase Windows XP. If you do, make sure you purchase XP Professional.

Optical drive

  • DVD (just a DVD/CD player) - minimum recommendation
  • DVD/CD-RW combo (DVD Player/CD player and burner/writer - Recommended
  • DVD/RW Drive (DVD and CD burner) – Purchase only if you want patrons to be able to burns CDs and/or DVDs; or if you do not have this capability on existing staff computers so you have this available for library staff use)
  • New Blue Ray

Video/graphics card

  • Integrated cards should be fine for patron computers
  • Dedicated cards are a step up and would be needed for a computer for complex video games. If you plan to offer gaming on this patron computer get a dedicated card.

Sound/Speakers

  • Make sure there is a sound card Headphones and/or speakers for patron computers.
  • Internal or external speakers

Keyboard and Mouse

  • PS/2 or USB Keyboard (makes sure you have enough USB ports if choosing USB)

Surge Protector

  • Recommend Tripp Lite and APC (American Power Conversion).

Software

  • Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation software (also called a “productivity suite”)
  • Microsoft Office (versions and prices vary from $120 - $325) Purchase from TechSoup Stock for significant discounts.
  • Open Office (Open Source) – free download
  • iWork (Mac) – For Mac OS X - $79
  • Google Docs - free
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader - free
  • Anti-virus Software (Norton, Trend Micro, AVG, McAfee) Malware protection (prices vary) ClamWin (Free Open Source)
  • Security (Deep Freeze, Centurion, Clean Slate, Windows Steady State) (prices vary)
  • Browser - Internet Explorer (comes with Windows), Firefox, Safari (comes with Mac OS X) – free with OS or download
  • Players – Windows Media Player, QuickTime, Real Player, Shockwave and Flash players (all free)

Warranty

3 year, parts/service/on-site - Always get the warranty!

Staff Computer

Hardware: Hard Drive and RAM

  • 120 GB or more depending on how much software you plan to install as well as pictures, instructional videos, pdf files, etc.
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM ; Suggested 3 GB RAM
  • Networking: Ethernet Network card (NIC) or wireless card

Operating System

DO NOT purchase Vista Home Basic

  • Vista Home Premium: minimum recommendation. This will be suitable for most small libraries. Note: Vista Home Premium will not work if you have a domain set up on your network.
  • Vista Business or Vista Ultimate are also suitable but more expensive.
  • See this article for more info: Windows Vista Review: Part 2: Understanding the Vista Product Editions
  • You may still find offers to purchase Windows XP. If you do, make sure you purchase XP Professional.

Optical drive

  • DVD/RW Drive (DVD and CD burner) - minimum
  • BD-ROM - I think it would be a good idea to have a drive with the new Blue Ray format on one computer in the library

Video/graphics card

  • Integrated cards should be fine for a staff computer.

WebCam

  • For distance learning and video-conferencing for meetings

Sound/Speakers

  • Make sure there is a sound card
  • Headset with microphone for webinars and video conferencing
  • Internal or external speakers

Keyboard and Mouse

  • PS/2 or USB Keyboard (makes sure you have enough USB ports if choosing USB)

Surge Protector

  • Recommend Tripp Lite and APC (American Power Conversion).

Software

  • Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation software (also called a “productivity suite”)
  • Microsoft Office (versions and prices vary from $120 - $325)
  • Open Office (Open Source) – free download
  • iWork (Mac) – For Mac OS X - $79
  • Google Docs - free
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader - free
  • Anti-virus Software (Norton, Trend Micro, AVG, McAfee) Malware protection (prices vary)
  • Browser - Internet Explorer (comes with Windows), Firefox, Safari (comes with Mac OS X) – free with OS or download
  • Players – Windows Media Player, QuickTime, Real Player, Shockwave and Flash players (all free)

Warranty

3 year, parts/service/on-site

Purchasing Tips

  • Make sure when you configure online that you are in the correct area. Dell won't sell a library a computer from the "Home" area so you need to configure as a small business or local government.
  • Vendors treat public libraries differently. You may find one company will give an educational discount whereas others plop you into a non-profit area, or state and local government.
  • Stay away from Best Buy and Circuit City unless you can get operating system and the configuration that meets your needs. The computers at these locations are pre-configured and it's harder to find the right one.