Skip to main content

Hardware and Software Standards

The Educational Technology Advisory Committee (ETAC), through its Hardware/Software Standards Committee, establishes district-wide standards for the computers, accessories, and software that ETS purchases and supports. Standardizing on a small set of well-tested configurations keeps district pricing low, simplifies support, and ensures equipment meets the needs of more than 90 percent of office users.

Standard computer configurations

The district standard device for faculty and staff is a laptop with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB solid-state drive, in your choice of operating system:

Operating system Standard device Estimated price
Windows Dell Latitude 5430 $1,500
macOS 13″ MacBook Pro $1,500

Standard configurations typically include a dock, monitor, and wired keyboard and mouse as needed. All prices are estimates for budgeting purposes only and are subject to change. Standard pricing includes items such as an extended warranty and sales tax, so comparisons to commercially advertised systems are not valid.

Standard accessories

Accessory Standard model Estimated price
24″ monitor Dell 24″ UltraSharp P2422HC $250
27″ monitor Dell 27″ UltraSharp P2722HC $350
Dock StarTech 4K USB-C dock (triple monitor, Mac and Windows, 60W USB PD) $260
Webcam Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920S $60
Video adapter StarTech multi-port adapter $75

Accessories over $150 should be purchased from CDW-G using a district purchase requisition at www.cdwg.com/fhdaccd.

For peripherals such as printers and scanners, submit a request at helpdesk.fhda.edu before purchasing.

How to order standard equipment

  1. Review the standard configurations above and confirm which one you need.
  2. Create a purchase requisition in Banner. You do not need to list every specification — identify the configuration by name, for example “Dell Laptop Computer Standard” or “Macintosh Laptop Computer Standard.” Purchasing knows what the current standard is when you name it this way.
  3. Have the requisition reviewed and signed by the designated ETS representative before it goes to Purchasing.
  4. If you have questions about the requisition, contact your FFE Coordinator.

Non-standard equipment and exceptions

The standards are not iron-clad. Exceptions are allowed for special needs, such as accessible technology configurations for employees with disabilities, lab computers, or high-end development work. Requests for non-standard equipment must be approved by your direct supervisor and reviewed by an ETS supervisor, and are granted based on employee or position need. Before submitting a requisition for a non-standard system, consult [ETS CONTACT FOR NON-STANDARD REQUESTS], who will work with you on a specification that meets your needs. Acquisition of and support for non-standard equipment may take longer than for district standard equipment.

Software standards

Standard software is acquired through district-wide site license agreements whenever possible, so individual departments do not absorb those costs in their operating budgets. [LIST OF STANDARD SOFTWARE OR LINK TO SOFTWARE STANDARDS — no current source document found for this section.]

Related information