Gies Faculty Computer Recommendations
Departmental Ordering Guidance
Dept. of Accountancy (ACCY)
Make your request to your department contact, Susan Palmer (sesuther@illinois.edu), and she will request funding approval. If needed, ACCY will either reach out to IT Partners for quotes or encourage you to work with IT Partners at helpdesk@business.illinois.edu.
Dept. of Business Administration (BA)
Before reaching out to your departmental purchaser, please review these computer options and send an email to helpdesk@business.illinois.edu to request a quote for your preferred computer and/or any additional equipment. IT Partners will provide order info to your department once you have approved the quote.
Dept. of Finance (FIN)
Make your request to your department, and they will request funding approval and reach out to IT Partners for quotes, as needed.
Use Case 1 - Heavy statistics software/research usage, requiring a dedicated graphics card, powerful CPU, and/or high amounts of system memory (RAM)
Note: if applicable to your research needs and budget, we can work with you to order a server, custom workstation, and/or cloud computing and/or campus cluster resources.
Desktop, workstation class, very upgradeable – Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra, P620. Examples: CDW# 7903157, 6979825
Use Case 2 - Standard teaching and writing needs, no specialized research software needs
Desktop, upgradeable – Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q (micro) or M70s (desktop). Examples - CDW# 7969995, 8135106, 7935102
Use Case 3 - Statistics/research software needs, requiring high amounts of memory, some mobility required for teaching/travel
Laptop, discrete graphics card, on the bulkier side so not ideal for lots of travel, memory (RAM) is able to be upgraded - Lenovo ThinkPad P1. Examples - CDW #7968119, 7968114
Laptop, thin and light, basic graphics card, better for travel/portability, memory (32 GB RAM) cannot be upgraded - Lenovo ThinkPad P14s. Examples: CDW #7916178, 7934572
Use Case 4 - Standard teaching and writing needs, carry to class and/or for travel, no specialized research software needs
Laptop, lightweight and fast, very capable for teaching, presenting, travel, and general use, no specialized research software needs, partially upgradeable – Lenovo ThinkPad T14, T14s. Examples - CDW#7934576, 7951226
Use Case 5 - Standard teaching and writing needs, carry to class and/or travel, with the ability to mark up content directly on the device, no specialized research software needs
Note: at this time, we no longer recommend or support the Microsoft Surface line.
Detachable, equivalent to Microsoft Surface Pro - Lenovo ThinkPad X12. Example: CDW #7996665 (5yr warranty incl.)
Laptop, business-class, 2-in-1, includes stylus - Lenovo L13 2-in-1. Example - CDW #7905798
Use Case 6 - Supplemental device for editing/marking up content when teaching, pairs well with a desktop as primary computer
- Wacom Pen Tablet - CDW #5010886
- Apple iPad Air (department can request quote from IT)
Use Case 7 - Mac users
Every configuration of Mac desktop and laptop is currently supported by the university and Gies, but they can be customized for your needs. Faculty who prefer an Apple computer instead of a Windows-based computer may reach out to the Help Desk for a quote that includes an educational discount. They are generally not upgradeable.
Note: Personalized engraving on Apple devices is not allowed, per university policy.