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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....


About operating systems...

MAC OS X:  Not recommended for Christian software.  Unfortunately, many programs made to run on OS 8 or 9 will not run in OS X, and increasingly, newer Christian software (as well as many other educational titles) are not being designed to run in OS X. 

If you have a newer Intel based Mac machine, there is no Classic Mode and it can't run some good software that was designed for pre-Macintel era Mac computers.

Windows 95:  No way.

Windows 98/Me:  Don't do it. Even though 98/Me WILL RUN about 40% of the available Christian software, the odds are that the HARDWARE upon which Win98/Me is installed -at this date in time- is weak or may have problems, and the system software is whacked.

Windows 2000:  NO. We strongly recommend NOT using W2000, and definitely not NT. Too many good titles won't run on W2. We do not offer tech support to Windows 2000.

Windows XP runs everything in our catalog. Recommended (though the computer itself may need a ram and videocard upgrade)

Windows Vista (32 bit not 64)
~ A good choice with caveats. Read our full report on Windows Vista and our software. You WILL have to make some tweaks to Vista in order to run some of our titles.

Windows 7   ~  Will run most of our software. Check each program's system specs and read our Windows 7 Compatibility Report.

 

 

Answers to Other Frequently Asked Questions

Need more help? Read the book, Teaching with Computers in Christian Education

How Many Computer do you Need?

The # of Computers you put in your "lab" will dramatically impact your software budget, the ability of the teachers to sit with kids AT the computers, and the amount of SOUND cacophony you have to deal with in the lab.

Beware of over-sizing your lab with too many computers. Even if you have a lot of money and a big room and lots of kids, I strongly caution churches against creating computer labs which are beyond their long-term capacity to resource and manage.   Read my book for more set up details.

Investing in my book will save you money and from making the dumb mistakes most of us have already recovered from.

How Many Copies of Each CD will you Need?

In most cases, you must buy one copy of a program for each computer you want to run it on. Only some CDs come with "site licenses" which allow you to put them on many computer. Most Christian programs must be purchased in quantity.

It is illegal to copy a CD from one computer to another without a site license. It is illegal to "network" a CD to various stations.

In general, you will need one CD of a program per computer you want it to run on. There are only a few exceptions. If someone suggests that you illegally use software so you can teach the Bible, set them straight. Article: Site Licensing & Software Quantity Issues

How Many Students Per Computer?

In most cases you will be putting 2 or 3 students in front of each computer. We believe in cooperative learning.

What about Laptops?

Probably "no."  Their screens are difficult to view when you're sitting at the side or 3 feet away. They aren't as durable as desktops.  You'll still want external speakers.

Apple/Mac for Sunday School software ~ Not Recommended
 
We STRONGLY recommend Windows based PCs. Why? because there are quite a few excellent programs which only run in Window. And in addition, newer Macs with Intel chips no longer have "Classic Mode" to run some of the older Mac capable software available. The issue is not hardware superiority. For the rather narrow use of CE software in a church/volunteer environment, software AVAILABILITY and hardware costs are the superior issues. It is what it is.

Only a few newer Christian education programs can run on OS X  10.4 or higher with an Intel chip. Blame Apple for their refusal to make their operating systems backwards compatible.

What about Linux?  ~ Not Recommended

Not recommended. Too many tweaks would be required by a Linux specialist for the average church to put up with the hassle. Not going to argue with our Linux friends. Just the way it is.

 How soon will my equipment become out of date?

Obviously, the older your computer is the sooner you will need to replace it. Based on our knowledge of the Christian software industry and the tools used to make multimedia software, you can expect NEW computers purchased today to be more than suitable for six to seven years without an upgrade -and longer with a modest upgrade down the road (perhaps more RAM, operating system update, faster videocard). Ideally, you want your hardware to last as long as possible, not only for your budget, but so you can continue to use your software for many many years to come with new classes. In some cases, we are still using software made in the late 90's a decade later.

It is important to note: If you build a good library of software that runs on those new computers over that period of time, and those computers are taken care of, and you didn't want to buy any new software after you built your library, you could conceivably run the lab for many more years. However, this technology IS moving forward. The kinds of software that may be out in five years may excite you to replace your equipment.

 Do I need Internet Access?

YES...you will most likely NEED some sort of access, whether permanent or occasional.  Today's operating systems and hardware are built to be updated/fixed via the internet. It will make your techie's life easier and keep your computers in better shape. Teachers in need of a quick fix or forgotten program guide on Sunday will also thank you.

Your internet connection can be a permanent connection, or you can occasionally bring it into your computer lab to perform upgrades (using, a long cable, or wireless, or a 3G wireless internet card).

HOWEVER, you do not have to have internet access for teaching lessons, though some churches DO use internet resources during classtime. This is an area where you might say "yes, but not quite yet."

 How many computers do I need for my class?

The better question is "how many can you support?" Having 5 computers, one teacher and almost no software budget is ridiculous. But that's occasionally what we hear from churches who have suddenly had old computers or a large check dumped in their lap. In general, we recommend churches have a 2:1 ratio of computers to teachers. Adjust your class size in the lab according to what you can support.  Learning with software in C.E. is a cooperative event for the children that involves a teacher by their side.

"It's wiser to buy one more computer if you discover you need it, than to try and give one back that you don't need." --Neilocrates

 Do I need a printer?

Yes, many programs have print features. We recommend buying inexpensive inkjet printers. Top notch office quality is unnecessary. We recommend a 2:1 ratio or computers to printers if you'll be networking them. Why? Because kids don't have all day to wait for their color printing projects to print out.

 Can I network my computers?

The only reason to network computers is to share printers, conduct operating system maintenance, or share Internet access. Networking computers to share software is illegal if you don't have a network or site license for that software. Read my DETAILED ANSWER TO THE NETWORKING QUESTION

Click here to return to top of this page...
 Can I copy or network software from one computer to others?

Almost all Christian software is licensed to you for use on one computer only. It is VERY illegal to copy programs/CDs.

There are two exceptions...
1)
when you are copying only a small file from one program to another computer, such as in the case of making a quiz question set on one and distributing it to other computers where there is a copy of the quiz software.
2)
When you are copying for ARCHIVE purposes. You can make a copy of a program for safe storage. You may not use it while the original copy is still in use.

 Can I buy site licenses or network copies of this software?

Sunday Software (us) offers "site licenses" on a limited number of our own programs. Most software however, must be purchased individually for each computer.

We strongly recommend you purchase your software based on the average attendance you will experience during the time of year you are using the software (ie, if you have 4 computers but during the summer months will only have 4 kids in the lab, you only need two copies of the program you want to teach with during that time of the year.)

There are different types of "networks." We recommend networking to share printers. The concept of networking stations to a central "server" to run one copy of a program out to several stations is technically expensive, rather non-feasible for most churches, and in most cases it is highly illegal to distribute the software in such a manner. Read my DETAILED ANSWER TO THE LICENSING, NETWORKING QUESTION

Should I use headphones?

Please don't. What's the point of trying to teach a Bible lesson if the kids can't hear the teacher? For more on this, go read "Get Thee Behind Me Headphones."

 How BIG should the monitor be?

If you will have two or more students per computer, we strongly recommend 17" monitors, or even 19" if you can afford them.

Do I need Optical Drives (i.e. CD or DVD drives) on each computer?

Yes.  Most CDs in our catalog run or install off the CD. In many cases, a program that runs off the CD can also be run from the harddrive if it is copied into a folder on the harddrive. (We do this to give you options, however, this is not a license to illegal copy the program!)  However, some good programs require the presence of the CD in the drive and cannot be worked around.

Do I need a DVD capable CD rom player on my computer?

2 of our programs come on DVD: The ILumina Bible and Kid Pix.

 What's the best way to set up my computers in a teaching situation?

Start small, keep your computers separated from each other with plenty of room and sound buffering between them. Make sure there is a spot for the teacher to sit down and go through the software with the kids (and not just watching them).
Read my book on the subject.

Where can I find teacher training and lesson planning resources for using Christian software in my church?

Read our book Teaching with Computers in Christian Education



View our Software Recommendations

Read more articles about Getting Started with Computers in Christian Education


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