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​​​Buying a Computer

Personal Purchases

A number of vendors have offered to sell personal computers, mobile devices, and related service programs to RIC faculty, staff, and students at rates discounted below the normal published prices. As a convenience to the campus community, the College has placed links to several personal computer vendors below. For mobile device and service contract discounts you should check with your local vendor of choice.

While the personal computer vendors linked below are authorized to offer competitive pricing based on master price agreements or other discounts, the College makes no warranty or endorsement as to any specific vendor or the products or services being sold. Faculty, staff, and students are free to make personal computer purchases from other sources and may obtain access to the College's master software agreements through the Student ID program.

The College strongly recommends that all purchases include a minimum manufacturer's warranty of three years. and you may need your RIC network username and password.

Faculty, Staff and Student Purchases

You will need your RIC network username and password. When the dialog box appears, enter your username and password in the appropriate fields. You must enter ric in the domain field. If the domain field does not appear in the dialog box, you must precede your username with ric\ (ex: ric\jdoe).

Outside LinkClick here to proceed to the Dell Online Store

Outside LinkClick here to proceed to the Apple Online Store

Recommended Computer Configuration for RIC Students:

In order to properly integrate with the Rhode Island College campus network, the College recommends the following minimum requirements:

Standard Windows Computer

  • Intel Core i3/AMD Ryzen or better processor
  • Minimum of 8 GB RAM
  • A 10/100/1000 network interface card
  • Laptops -Wireless b/g/n networking support
  • Hard drive with a minimum capacity of 250 GB or larger
  • Windows 10
  • Micorosft Office 2019 (available through your Office 365 account)*
  • 3 year manufacturer's warranty
  *  

Matriculated students who have registered for fall semester will have the ability to download the latest version of Office for a PC online free of charge. To learn how to install the lastest version of Office for a Mac, visit http://www.ric.edu/uss/Pages/Microsoft-Office-Software.aspx .

Note:You will be able to install the Microsoft Office up to 5 machines [PC and Mac]. If you have any questions, please contact the HelpDesk at 456-8803.

Standard Apple Computer

  • Processor Intel i5 (or better)
  • Minimum of 8 GB RAM
  • A 100/1000 network interface card
  • Laptops -Wireless b/g/n networking support
  • Hard drive with a minimum capacity of 250G
  • Mac OS X 10.13.x or 10.14.x
    • Microsoft Office 2019 (available through your Office 365 account)*
  • 3 year manufacturer’s warranty
  *  

As of July 1, 2014, matriculated students who have registered for fall semester will have the ability to download the latest version of Office for a Mac online free of charge. To learn how to install the lastest version of Office for a Mac, visit http://www.ric.edu/studenttoolbox/Office_365/officesoftware.htm.

Note: You will be able to install the Microsoft Office up to 5 machines [PC and Mac]. If you have any questions, please contact the HelpDesk at 456-8803.


Decisions between a desktop or a laptop system is personal preference; either type will work on the campus network, provided it meets or exceeds the above-mentioned requirements.

If you have questions regarding computer compatibility with the campus network contact helpdesk@ric.edu or call 401-456-8803.

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Page last updated: October 22, 2019