Note
If you are making a computer purchase for personal use (non-Emerson funds), please see more information at Purchasing a Personal Computer.
Purchasing Process
All items listed below are available through the vendor catalog, which approved purchasers can access on Workday. If you do not have access to the vendor catalog, please contact Procurement Services.
Please only purchase approved technology from the vendors linked to below (Apple and Connection). Be aware that, while some computer hardware can be found in the Amazon vendor catalog, it is not approved for campus use. These items will have a Company Restricted label at the top of the webpage.
After you make your purchase, your new computer equipment will be shipped to the mailroom, then brought to the Help Desk for inventory and configuration. Once we receive the equipment, we will reach out to you for details on its use and destination. Computer configuration includes the installation of management software, security tools, and encryption, and in the case of mobile devices, a secure pin. We will contact you when it is ready for deployment or pickup. If the equipment arrives at your location before it reaches the Help Desk, please let us know so we can prepare it for you.
While the campus is dealing with COVID-19 related concerns, the Help Desk is using contactless pickup of computers to ensure everyone’s safety. Please reach out to us to schedule an appointment.
While using your new device, we require you to comply with the Data Classification Guideline and Data Transmittal and Storage Requirements.
Tech Refresh
While there are many reasons a department would purchase a computer on their own (new employees, specific technical needs, etc.), the school also has a Tech Refresh program to ensure all the computers on campus are kept up-to-date. Read more about how this works in our Hardware Replacement Policy guide.
The suggested configurations below state whether Tech Refresh funds would cover their cost, or if your department may have to contribute to the purchase.
Hardware Standards
Below is a listing of standard computer hardware that is suitable for the Emerson College work environment. If you have a specific need outside of these standards, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@emerson.edu for a consultation or to request a quote.
- Apple Laptops
- Apple Desktops
- Windows Laptops
- Windows Desktops
- Printers, Docks, and Accessories
Apple Laptops
13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Standard Build)
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is IT’s most popular Tech Refresh computer. With plenty of RAM and a fast solid-state hard drive, this model is great for anyone interested in upgrading to a laptop.
 |
processor: |
Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU and 8‑core GPU |
| ram: | 16 GB Unified RAM | |
| graphics: | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 | |
| storage: |
256 GB Solid State Hard Drive |
|
| available ports: | Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports* 3.5 mm headphone jack |
|
| display: | 2560 x 1600 pixels | |
| weight: | 3.1 Lbs | |
| tech refresh: | Can be covered completely by Tech Refresh funds. |
* We recommend purchasing a multi-port adapter that will allow you to plug in USB and HDMI devices, and has an extra Thunderbolt 3 port.
16-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Power User)
If 13 inches isn’t enough screen real estate, then the 16-inch MacBook Pro might be for you. Weighing only about a pound more than the 13-inch MacBook, this model is great for powerful video editing on the go.
 |
processor: | 2.6GHz six-core Intel Core i7 |
| ram: | 16 GB | |
| graphics: | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory | |
| storage: | 512 GB Solid State Hard Drive | |
| available ports: | Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports* 3.5 mm headphone jack |
|
| display: | 3072 x 1920 pixels | |
| weight: | 4.3 Lbs | |
| tech refresh: | Not completely covered by Tech Refresh funds. |
*We recommend purchasing a multi-port adapter that will allow you to plug in USB and HDMI devices, and has an extra Thunderbolt 3 port.
Apple Desktops
21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K Display (Standard Build)
The 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K Display is IT’s most popular Tech Refresh desktop computer. This model is great if you are looking for a powerful all-in-one machine with plenty of screen real estate.
 |
processor: | 3.0GHz six-core Intel Core i5 |
| ram: | 16 GB | |
| graphics: | Radeon Pro 560X with 4GB GDDR5 memory | |
| storage: | 256 GB Solid State Hard Drive | |
| available ports: | Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports Four USB 3 ports SDXC card slot Ethernet port 3.5 mm headphone jack |
|
| display: | 4096 x 2304 pixels | |
| tech refresh: | Can be covered completely by Tech Refresh funds. |
If you plan to plug an additional display into the iMac, please confirm that you have the correct input or adapter available. If you’re unsure what you may need, we’ll happily make a recommendation.
21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K Display (Power User)
The 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K Display provides more memory and more storage for those who need a bit more power. This all-in-one desktop is great if you edit video, design graphics, or use other processor-intensive applications.
|
processor: | 3.0GHz six-core Intel Core i5 |
| ram: | 32 GB | |
| graphics: | Radeon Pro 560X with 4GB GDDR5 memory | |
| storage: | 512 GB Solid State Hard Drive | |
| available ports: | Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports Four USB 3 ports SDXC card slot Ethernet port 3.5 mm headphone jack |
|
| display: | 4096 x 2304 pixels | |
| tech refresh: | Not completely covered by Tech Refresh funds. |
If you plan to plug an additional display into the iMac, please confirm that you have the correct input or adapter available. If you’re unsure what you may need, we’ll happily make a recommendation.
27-inch iMac with Retina 5K Display
The 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K Display boasts the largest screen available across all of Apple’s products. This all-in-one desktop is great if you’re looking for a high resolution and color accurate display to aid in complex video effects, 3D rendering, or other graphics-intensive tasks.
 |
processor: | 3.1GHz six-core Intel Core i5 |
| ram: | 16 GB | |
| graphics: | Radeon Pro 5300 with 4GB GDDR6 memory | |
| storage: | 512 GB Solid State Hard Drive | |
| available ports: | Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports Four USB 3 (USB-A) ports SDXC card slot Gigabit Ethernet port 3.5 mm headphone jack |
|
| display: | 5120 x 2880 pixels | |
| tech refresh: | Not completely covered by Tech Refresh funds. |
If you plan to plug an additional display into the iMac, please confirm that you have the correct input or adapter available. If you’re unsure what you may need, we’ll happily make a recommendation.
Windows Laptops
Dell 14-inch Latitude 7420 (Standard Build)
The 14-inch Latitude 7420 is IT’s recommended computer for anyone interested in upgrading to a Windows laptop. With plenty of RAM and a fast solid-state hard drive, this is a great all-around lightweight laptop that offers everything you need for your day-to-day work.
 |
processor: | 3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 |
| ram: | 16 GB | |
| graphics: | Intel Iris XE Graphics | |
| storage: | 256 GB Solid State Hard Drive | |
| available ports: | Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports One USB 3.2 port HDMI port uSD card slot 3.5 mm audio jack |
|
| display: | 1920 x 1080 pixels | |
| weight: | 2.9 Lbs | |
| tech refresh: | Can be covered completely by Tech Refresh funds. |
Windows Desktops
The Optiplex 5080 Tower is IT’s recommended Windows desktop computer. This compact, yet powerful, desktop has plenty of ports for your everyday needs.
 |
processor: | 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 |
| ram: | 16 GB | |
| graphics: | Intel UHD Graphics | |
| storage: | 256 GB Solid State Hard Drive | |
| available ports: | USB-C port Two Display ports Five USB 3 ports Four USB 2 ports SD card slot 3.5 mm audio jack Optical disk drive |
|
| display: | External 21.5-inch HD monitor | |
| tech refresh: | Can be covered completely by Tech Refresh funds. |
Dell Optiplex 7470 Ultra All-In-One (Standard Build)
If you are interested in a Windows desktop, but want something more compact, IT recommends the Optiplex 7470 Ultra All-in-One. With the computer and monitor all built into one, you don’t have to sacrifice your desk space for more power.
 |
processor: | 3.0GHz eight-core Intel Core i7 |
| ram: | 16 GB | |
| graphics: | Intel UHD Graphics | |
| storage: | 256 GB Solid State Hard Drive | |
| available ports: | Two USB-C ports Three USB 3 ports 3.5 mm audio jack |
|
| display: | Built-in 23.8" monitor | |
| tech refresh: | Can be covered completely by Tech Refresh funds. |
Dell Optiplex 5080 Tower (Power User)
The Optiplex 5080 Tower is IT’s recommended Windows desktop computer for those who need a bit more power. With double the RAM and hard drive space, this tower is great for editing video, designing graphics, or other processor-intensive applications.
 |
processor: | 2.9GHz eight-core Intel Core i7 |
| ram: | 32 GB | |
| graphics: | Intel Integrated Graphics | |
| storage: | 512 GB Solid State Hard Drive | |
| available ports: | USB-C port Two Display ports Five USB 3 ports Four USB 2 ports SD card slot 3.5 mm audio jack Optical disk drive |
|
| display: | External 21.5-inch HD monitor | |
| tech refresh: | Can be covered completely by Tech Refresh funds. |
Printers, Docks, and Accessories
There are a variety of accessories and peripherals that can enhance your computing experience. Please browse the options available in the Connection vendor catalog in Workday. We're here if you have any questions or would like some recommendations.