Hardware Recommendations & Suggested Minimums
for computers in Christian education
=Last Updated September 2011=

Recommendations about Older Computers (below)      Recommendations about New Computers (below)

Notes on printers, monitors, videocards, cd drives, setup, # of computers, and other FAQs related to our software (below)

Hardware can be a blessing or a curse.  Well maintained computers allow you to focus on teaching. Poor hardware can be the a huge source of headaches and wasted effort. You can have too much hardware, or too little. And you can have good equipment undercut by a misinformed concept of use. If you want to get up to speed quickly, read this webpage, then read my book. I've been teaching with software in Christian education since 1990 and I'm in touch with thousands of churches doing the same. Learn from our experiences, mistakes, and successes.

After you've read this page.... I'm ready to help you consider your options, and give you an expert opinion about your hardware, software and lessons. My email address is neil@sundaysoftware.com and my name is Neil MacQueen. You are not "bugging me" when you ask for help. This is my ministry and business.

We currently still prefer XP if you ALREADY have it installed on computers that aren't too old, and already own a number of our titles. Read more about that below.

Windows 7 is a good choice if you are starting or updating to new equipment. Most of our software will run fine on Vista and Windows 7, but in several cases you need to "tweak" Vista or W7 in order to get a good program to run on it.

A couple of our titles will not run in Vista or Windows 7. Check each program's technical specs carefully.

Neil MacQueen
Sunday Software Inc.
neil@sundaysoftware.com   

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Our Latest Suggested Minimums

For those getting started with NEW computers...

As of September 2011 we are recommending you seriously consider getting started with nothing less than this:

• Windows XP or Windows 7

• 1.6 ghz processor or higher.

• 2 mb Ram or more.

• DVD-capable CD Rom drive.

• Minimum 64 megabytes of VideoRAM, "3-D accelerated graphics" videocard/chip.**

• Internet access**

This level of "used" machine described above will allow you to run everything currently on the market, and likely to come out within the next two to three years in Christian software.

A lot of businesses and church members have these types of machines available for donation. Just don't take them if they are TOO old (older than 6 yrs in my estimation), and make sure they don't come with problems. You should expect that you will need to do some operating system maintenance, clean them up and debug them, and you may need to add ram and an inexpensive videocard. Some older computer come with substandard or problematic video chips.

Something slightly LESS powerful than the above specs will be able to run many good titles from the past few years, but may give you trouble on some titles, and won't get you too far into the future. Forewarning: Older computers that get donated to churches often need a thorough technical cleaning and some hardware updates. Some older computers are not worth the trouble.

Used Computers to be wary of:  No-name brands, Emachines, Compaq, and Dell's Optiplex line. They tend to come with substandard parts and problems. The Optiplex line of office computers from Dell seem to be particularly problematic. If you get them, expect to at least upgrade them with new videocards.

**Internet Access: today's operating systems need to be able to update themselves. If you're starting with used XP computers, you'll want to go to Microsoft's website and download the latest updates. Your lab doesn't need dedicated or constant internet access. You just need to be able to get your computers updated every so often, and especially at the outset.

**If you get used computers that are more than 5 or 6 years old, you should expect that they will need additional RAM memory and perhaps a new inexpensive but capable videocard.

**If you get used computers, you will probably need to UPDATE their video drivers or add a decent videocard.
 

If I was buying a NEW computer today for my Sunday School....

I wouldn't hesitate to get a decent inexpensive Windows 7 installed desktop.

I tell folks to "go to Dell's website, go into their Home desktop computer page, and pick the one that's ONE LEVEL ABOVE BASIC." In other words, do not buy the cheapest one.

When buying new, it's a very good idea to get as much RAM as you can afford. These days, that means at least 2 gb of Ram. Also, select the upgraded videocard if offered. (I recommend Nvidia and Intel brand videochips. They are the best).

I still recommend Desktops over Laptops. Here's why:

Cost, durability, upgradability, and viewing area.  Laptop screens are okay for one person, but not so great for two students and a teacher.

Pretty much ANY "near" lower-end desktop or laptop you can buy these days is going to be PLENTY powerful enough for your Sunday School to run all our software for many years to come. You are not multi-tasking or guiding the space shuttle.

Stick with a good name brand. In my personal opinion, Acer, Gateway, Dell and Sony. HP tends to have support problems. I would not buy a Compaq, or eMachine.  I would not buy an offbrand.

Do not consider Macs for Christian education use. Way too many good titles won't run on them. And Apple pays only lip-service to backwards compatibility.

We strongly suggest that labs have "some sort" of internet connectivity to keep operating systems and hardware up-to-date, and for teacher and techies to be able access our guides, tech tips and tech updates in the lab when needed.  New computers and systems are built to be updated. Read our book for details about how to get internet connectivity in your lab WITHOUT necessarily having dedicated/open internet access on demand there.

Note: At this time we are not recommending use of the internet as a learning resource for most children and youth Christian education classes.

Flat Panel or CRT ? (the old big box monitors)
Either or is fine, but I lean towards LCD monitors these days.  They occupy less space, are easier to move, and reasonably priced.
 

Laptops?  Printers?  Macs?  Etc Etc?   Read on....