Equipment

After nearly six years, I am just at the point where I have access to the equipment necessary to use the Web effectively. Here is a list of the equipment I use followed by comments on the necessity for each item.

Item

Description and Comments

Approximate Cost (Retail)

Laptop

 

Apple PowerBook 3400--200mhz with 48mb of RAM, 2gb hard drive-- Purchased with grant funds (IV-E)

This is a very fancy model with all multimedia features. Any networked cpu will do, however. I have used everything from SEs on up.

  • We like the laptop for several reasons:
    • portability
    • saves a desktop cpu for other uses
    • eliminates sharing of classroom cpu

 

$4,000

Desktop

 

Apple 8550--200mhz with 32 mb of Ram, 2 x 2gb hard drives--SAU Apple Store Demo model

This 604e-based machine is faster than the 603e-based laptop above. It also serves as a back-up server and as the development platform for creating Web pages.

 

$3,500

Server

 

Custom-built PC compatible with AMD K-6 233mhz cpu, 64mb RAM, 4.2gb hard drive--Purchased with grant funds (IV-E)

This 586-class machine runs Linux and serves as the default server for all of the department's Web pages. It also handles e-mail, ftp, audio and video streaming, and more.

 

$2,000

Data Projector

 

In Focus 720 LCD Data Projector-- Purchased with grant funds (IV-E)

This display device just recently replaced an older 16-color In Focus LCD panel and overhead projector. There is no comparison in the output of those two devices.

 

$5,500

Total

$15,000

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