As you may already know Citrix is the primary technology that IEM uses to connect users to the Filemaker database that houses all the school data. Citrix is dependent on the operating system of the computer to operate correctly.
That being said, our current recommendation for Windows computers software to use are as follows:
Computer Operating System: Windows 7 and Windows XP Professional
Most of the new Laptop and Desktop computers are fully compatible with Windows 7 hardware requirement.
If you are planning to upgrade your existing computer to Windows 7. We would strongly recommend to download and run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1B544E90-7659-4BD9-9E51-2497C146AF15&displaylang=en
It will scan your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues, will give you guidance on how to resolve potential issues found, and will recommend what to do before you upgrade.
I am including some links here to some reputable vendors who sell computers with Windows OS.
Here is the Dell link
http://www.dell.com/
Here is the IBM Lenovo link
http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/
Here is the HP link
http://www.hp.com/
The president of our support services company, Ceniom Inc., has generously offered our ESs, Administrators, and school services personnel to purchase Dell desktop and laptop computers with his Dell computer discount. Anyone wishing to do this just has to send their Dell shopping cart to ychan@ceniom.com and he will give them a quote for the equipment.
If you currently are using a different configuration than what we recommend here and it is working fine for you, please do not change it.
Many users successfully use Macintosh computers from Apple. See http://www.apple.com/education/how-to-buy/
Apple IPads also work with our software, however FRED is not optimized for use with an IPad at this time.
Netbook computers - Given that most, if not all netbooks do not have the proper video processing power. We strongly recommend not purchasing a netbook for use with FRED.