Computers

Computers

The College of ACES operates on a 5 year device lifecycle. While they may be slightly over-spec’d for current usage, we build these devices to be usable 5 years from now without any noticeable degradation in functionality.

Our standard recommendation is Dell machines and monitors. We have found their build quality to be very good, and their service and support times to be exceptional. We currently recommend Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processors, 32 GB of memory, and 1 TB of storage for most users. Our computers are purchased with a 5 year extended warranty coverage (and 5 years of accidental damage for laptops) to ensure that we can get the most out of these devices over the course of their lifespan.

Lenovo and Apple devices are also available upon request. Due to the broad number of options for Macs, we recommend visiting the store on Apple’s website, building a machine and sending us the specs you would like (final purchases will be made through CDW-G or Tech Zone). Our general starting points are the MacBook Pro for laptops and the iMac or Mac Studio for desktops. If you are not sure what would make the most sense for the type of work you are doing, we are happy to offer our suggestions, as well.

For general use cases, we recommend the Dell Pro Slim or Dell Pro Slim Plus. This provides the best middle-ground of price and upgradability. For higher end individual use, we recommend the Dell Pro Max Slim: it provides the same small form factor as the Pro Slim with an option for an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, additional storage expandability, ECC RAM options and higher end graphics card options. Larger cases are also available offering further expandability.

Dell Pro Max Slim

Recommended for statistical computing, digital design, 3D rendering, simulations and other graphics intensive applications.

Recommended specs | Current price*: $1,898.26

  • Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265K (20 cores, up to 5.5 GHz, 125 W)
  • NVIDIA® RTX™ A1000, 8 GB GDDR6, 4 mDP to DP adapters (optional)
  • 32GB: 2 x 16 GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/s, non-ECC
  • 1 TB, M.2, Gen 4


Component options

  • Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285 and 285K processors (24 cores, up to 5.7 GHz, 125 W).
  • Error correcting memory available as an option.
  • Three additional storage slots available.
  • A deeper list of graphics card options.
Dell Pro Slim Plus

Recommended for medium creative work (web, photo & video editing, 3D rendering) and general office use.

Recommended specs | Current price*: $1,644.11

  • Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265 vPro® (13 TOPS NPU, 20 cores, up to 5.3GHz)
  • AMD Radeon™ RX 6300, 2GB GDDR6, low profile, 2 DP (optional)
  • 32 GB: 2 x 16 GB, DDR5, up to 6400 MT/s, non-ECC
  • 1TB SSD


Component options

  • Core Ultra 9 processor.
  • Three storage slots available.
  • Upgradable to 128 GB of memory.
Dell Pro Slim

Recommended for light creative work (web & photo editing) and general office use.

Recommended specs | Current price*: $1,377.64

  • Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265 vPro® (13 TOPS NPU, 20 cores, up to 5.3GHz)
  • AMD Radeon™ RX 6300, 2GB GDDR6, low profile, 2 DP (optional)
  • 32 GB: 2 x 16 GB, DDR5, up to 6400 MT/s, non-ECC
  • 1TB SSD


Component options

  • One additional storage slot available.
  • Upgradable to 64 GB of memory.

The Dell Pro 14 Plus with either Intel or AMD processors can best handle the work of most university employees. These laptops have a 14″ screen (also available in 13″ and 16”) in either touch or non-touch. The AMD option offers more component options, processing power at a slightly lower price. However, we have not had a chance put them through their paces and get a feel for their pros and cons yet. Therefore, we are not ready to recommend them for most users at this time.

The Dell Pro Max available upon request. It is not included on this list because for the price, power consumption and size, we feel that a Pro Max Slim desktop would be more beneficial for most users.

Dell Pro 14 Premium

Recommended for statistical computing and general office use. Dimensions: D: 8.53″; W: 12.25″; H: 0.71″; Starting weight: 2.52 lb.

Recommended specs | Current price*: $1,984.65

  • Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 268V, vPro® (48 TOPS NPU, 8 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
  • 32 GB: LPDDR5x, 8533 MT/s (onboard)
  • 1 TB TLC Performance SSD, SED Ready
  • Ultralight casing
  • 14″, Non-touch, FHD+, 400 nit, Low power, 100% sRGB, Anti-Glare, ComfortView+, 8MP+IR Camera
  • Fingerprint Reader and Collaboration touchpad
Dell Pro 14 Plus (Intel)

Recommended for statistical computing and general office use. Also available in a 2-in-1 format. Dimensions: D: 8.80″; W: 12.30″; H: 0.78″; Starting weight: 3.09 lb.

Recommended specs | Current price*: $1,710.84

  • Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 268V, vPro® (48 TOPS NPU, 8 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
  • 32 GB: LPDDR5x, 8533 MT/s (onboard)
  • 1 TB TLC Performance SSD, SED Ready
  • 14″, Non-Touch, FHD+, IPS, 400 nits, Low Power, FHD IR Camera
  • Fingerprint Reader


Component Options

  • 14″, Touch, FHD+, Anti-Glare, 300 nits, 5 MP + IR Camera
  • 2-in-1, 14″, Touch, FHD+, IPS, 300 nits, Pen Support, 5 MP + IR Camera

Dell Pro 14 Plus (AMD)

Recommended for statistical computing and general office use. Also available in a 2-in-1 format. Dimensions: D: 8.80″; W: 12.30″; H: 0.77″; Starting weight: 3.09 lb.

Recommended specs | Current price*: $1,706.39

  • AMD Ryzen™ AI PRO 7 350 Processor (24 MB cache, 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 5.0 GHz, 50 TOPS NPU)
  • 32 GB: LPDDR5, 7500 MT/s, dual-channel (onboard)
  • 1 TB TLC Performance SSD, SED Ready
  • 14″, Non-Touch, FHD+, IPS, 400 nits, Low Power, FHD IR Camera
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • >RJ45 (ethernet) jack


Component Options

  • AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX PRO 370 Processor (36 MB cache, 12 cores, 24 threads, up to 5.1 GHz, 50 TOPS NPU)
  • 64 GB: LPDDR5, 7500 MT/s, dual-channel (onboard)
  • 14″, Non-Touch, QHD+ 2560 x 1600, 90Hz, Anti-Glare, 300 nit, FHD+IR Camera
  • 2-in-1, 14″, Touch, FHD+, 60Hz, 300 nit, Pen Support, 5MP+IR Camera, 4G Capable

* Prices as of July 2025. May vary based on date of purchase.