For the current version of the Educator Biofeedback System software, we suggest purchasing our “Quantum Computers” brand notebook (laptop) computers that are specifically designed for the Educator Biofeedback System.
Seriously Smart Technologies began designing notebook computers for Biofeedback systems in November of 2005 under the brand name “Quantum Computers” and has been the computer of choice for Biofeedback practitioners since 2006. Our chassis designs and motherboards are made by Clevo Co., a world technology leader in the business and gaming computer industry since 1983. We use Intel Processors, Intel & nVidia Graphics, as well as quality components from Samsung, Seagate, Western Digital, Corsair, Realtek, Onkyo and others.
Quantum Computers are quite different from mainstream computers you might purchase from a computer store, office supply company or online retailer. Quantum Computers will only have soft-ware installed on them that works in conjunction with the biofeedback softsoft-ware. The Educator software will be pre-installed and security activated before it leaves our facility. When you receive your new Quantum Computer, just plug in the power adapter and biofeedback device, turn it on, and you will notice it boots right to the desktop and your computer is already totally personalized just for you. There is no setup required, it’s already done. The value of that service is worth over $300.
Should you choose to spend a few days setting the computer and software up by yourself, you will want to know the current minimum specifications of your Educator Biofeedback Software. Please keep in mind that minimum specifications are good for the software in today’s configuration. The Biofeedback Software will continue to be updated several times each year, and the Windows operat-ing system needs to be updated with each revision to the Biofeedback Software. You will want to pick specifications that are much higher than the minimum specifications if you want your system to operate at a high level of quality for many years to come because as software is updated, it will continue to use more system resources and the computer will need to handle the updates in order to function properly. This is the main reason why we recommend purchasing the higher quality notebooks with higher specifications.
In today’s world of computer marketing, it is difficult to get proper information from sales personnel who are not aware of all the facts when it comes to using a biofeedback system. Due to that fact, and our experience in biofeedback since 2002, we have decided to provide the specification to you in two ways. We will give you the quick version in case you decide to shop around, and the detailed version to give you the reasons behind the minimum specs, as well as to help make your decision easier.
Computer Specifications and Technical Notes
for Educator Biofeedback System
ECHO-NorthAmerica.com 949-556-1955 949-650-7419 [email protected]
Quick Version:
Display Minimum: 15.6" 1920 x 1080 Full HD (16:9) Display
CPU Minimum: Intel Core i5-4200M Processor, 2.5 GHz, 3MB Smart Cache (Intel Quad Core
Pre-ferred)
Graphics Minimum: 2GB Dedicated or Discrete Graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600 can be used if
CPU is Intel Quad Core i7-4700MQ or higher) (high amount of Graphic Memory preferred)
Memory Minimum: 4GB, PC3-12800/1600Mhz DDR3 - 1 x 4GB (16GB + preferred)
Hard Drive Minimum: 750GB/7200rpm 16MB Cache Buffer (Solid State 256GB capacity preferred) USB Port Minimum: 1 USB 2.0 Port (3 USB Ports Total is preferred)
Operating System Minimum: Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit (Not supported on Apple
Computers) (Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional preferred, Ultimate only necessary if you switch between regional languages)
Office Suite: Microsoft Office 2013 (Office Basic & Office 365 is not supported), or Free OpenOffice
Suite
Virus Protection: SST Antivirus, or Kaspersky Anti-Virus software (SST AntiVirus is preferred)
Detailed version:
CPU: Minimum of Intel Core i5 or Core i7 CPU ~ we prefer using the QUAD Core i7 mobile
proces-sor. There are Dual and Quad Core i5 & i7 CPU's, and there are also low power consumption pro-cessors that will not work properly with the Educator software. The Educator software is based on an SQLite Database with over 11,000 data entries. It requires a high quality processor as well as high amounts of system resources to function properly. Please watch the specifications carefully so you know exactly what you are getting. The entry level Quantum Computer for the Educator uses the “Intel® 4th Generation Core™ Core™ i7-4700MQ CPU, 2.4 GHz” processor which is much higher than the actual minimum requirement.
Memory: Minimum of 4GB DDR3 for Windows 7 Systems, 8GB or more is better because later on
when your computer slows down due to software overload, you'll be glad you had more memory. Many people ask if it is more expensive to upgrade the memory now or later. It depends on demand, history has shown that memory can fluxuate without a consistent pattern. We suggest getting at least 3 times the minimum memory required when purchasing the computer, because most people will not upgrade the memory at a later date.
Hard Drive: Minimum of 500GB 7200rpm hard drive ~ we suggest always allowing a minimum of
20% free space on your Hard Drive. Most computer manufacturers are using a minimum of 750GB Hard drives currently, however should you decide to use a highly recommended Solid State drive for a faster and more reliable hard drive, be sure to select a minimum capacity of 256GB. We currently use the Samsung 840 series Solid State drives due to their speed and they are extremely reliable. Graphics: Minimum of 2GB Dedicated or Discrete Graphics ~ on board or integrated graphics are not recommended unless you are using the i7 Quad core Intel mobile CPU with Intel 4600 integrat-ed graphics and a minimum of 8GB of DDR 3 memory. Without getting into serious technical details, this combination currently works very well as a low cost option.
Screen Resolution: Current screen technology offers two resolutions. 1920 x 1080 Full HD is the
recommended option. Standard HD resolution of 1366 x 768 also 1600 x 900 is not adequate for the Educator software. Currently the Educator software has scroll bars in almost every panel of the program, however there are still a few areas that are not visible when using screen resolutions that are less than 1280 x 1024.
Operating System: We are currently recommending Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit Operating
Systems for the Educator Software. The Professional and Ultimate versions of Windows 7 are fine as well, but not necessary. Windows 8 will work only after special settings have been changed to allow your Biofeedback Software to work properly. We do not currently recommend Windows 8 for the Educator software. However, if you do purchase a computer with the Windows 8 operating system, please schedule a technical support appointment so that we can adjust your settings so your soft-ware will function. Labor charges will apply.
USB Ports: Most computers in today’s computer market will have a minimum of 1 USB 2.0 port. We
Internet Access: Internet access is required for the current and future versions of the Educator
software. Technical support is now mostly done through remote internet connections to your com-puter. Most computers now come with 2 ways to make internet connection (LAN & WLAN) however you still need the internet access to connect them. Most people are using a DSL connection through a telephone company or a Cable network through the local cable television company. Dial-Up, Satellite, and cell phone hotspots are not recommended at all, even in remote areas where your options are quite limited.
Virus Protection: We recommend using either SST Anti-Virus (our own branded antivirus software),
or Kaspersky Anti-Virus software (not Kaspersky Security Suite, or any other Kaspersky product). There are other pay versions of virus protection software that work well, however these are the ones that we recommend because we feel they are the best virus protection software on the market today. These two programs have a long history of not conflicting with biofeedback software as well. We do offer a free installation of the SST Antivirus for all Educator system purchases for one year from the ship date of your new system whether you purchase a Quantum Computer or any other Windows Based computer. Kaspersky Anti-Virus can be purchased directly from
Please keep in mind that the Educator Biofeedback System is an expensive Class II Medical device. The Software is based on a collection of several databases that communicate with each other very quickly. The software uses various algorithms and needs to calculate very complex processes. The computer you choose can make the difference in how your software and device functions, both now and in the future. The average lifespan of a mainstream business class computer is 3 to 4 years. Economy computers have a shorter average lifespan. We can’t really provide an “average” lifespan of a Quantum Computer because many of our computers are currently still in use (8 to 10 years). However, the higher quality, higher priced computers of most brands usually have a longer lifespan than the ones you find on sale, in closeouts, or in most stores.
We also recommend that Biofeedback Professionals have at least two computers available for use that meet minimum specifications of the Educator software. Busy professionals need to be able to quickly setup or update a backup computer in the event of a software or hardware failure on their main computer. Consider how a few days of downtime or longer could become very costly in the event of a computer or software failure.
We hope that these details have been helpful to you as you consider your computer purchases for the Educator Biofeedback System.
