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Computer Recommendations

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As you begin your education at Illinois, you may have some questions about computing on campus. The following pages will tell you about computing, including whether or not you need to buy a computer before coming to school and, if you choose to buy one, what requirements the University has for student computers.

Do you need to bring a computer to campus?

One of the biggest questions that comes up as you're preparing to start college is whether or not you'll need to bring a computer to campus. The answer is no, you don't have to bring a computer. The University provides students access to computer labs, software, and printers; however, the following pages provide computer resource information (where you can use the University's computers or buy computers and software on campus) and, if you choose to purchase a computer, what specifications your computer should meet.

If you are planning on bringing a computer from home or purchasing a new one, you should know that some colleges or departments have their own computing recommendations or requirements. Visit the Undergraduate and Graduate Program Recommendations page for the recommendations of your particular program, or contact your department to determine if it has any computing requirements.

If you are bringing a computer, what do you need to consider?

If you already own a computer and are thinking about using it on campus, you should consider whether it meets all of your computing needs. If you are happy with your computer's performance when you write papers, browse the web, or send email, it should work fine for you on campus. For security reasons, your system needs to be running a current version of your operating system (Windows XP or Vista, Mac OS X, *nix).

The Minimum Computing Requirements page presents the specifications which will allow you to easily run many of the applications that you will need to do your work on campus. Make sure that your computer meets these basic criteria. Upgrades are available through the CITES Software WebStore.

Install and Update Antivirus Software

Before you can plug in to the campus network, your computer must have a current version of antivirus software installed and running. Illinois students can download antivirus software from the CITES Software WebStore at no charge.

Downloading antivirus software from the WebStore guarantees that your computer's antivirus protection is up to date, since the WebStore's version of the antivirus software automatically updates once it has been installed on your computer. Keeping your antivirus software up to date is critical, as outdated software will not recognize new viruses.

Undergraduate and Graduate Program Recommendations

Some academic programs have a preference for a particular platform for their students, but no program has a required operating system. So, if you already own a computer with an operating system other than your program's preferred system, it won’t be a problem. Visit the Undergraduate and Graduate Program Recommendations page for information on recommendations related to individual colleges and programs of study.

Software

As an Illinois student, you can enjoy educational software discounts through CITES Software WebStore. Before you buy any new software or have it pre-installed by a computer manufacturer, check CITES Software WebStore to see if you can get the same software at a substantial discount.

Printing

If you choose to have your own computer, you may also find it convenient to have your own printer. If you choose to not bring a printer, you can print to the University Residence Hall printers either from the residence hall lab computers or from your dorm room, using your own computer. Charges are applied to your printing account, and you can check your account balance online. You can also use the laser printers at any of the six CITES Instructional Computing Services (ICS) labs for a small fee.

What do you need to know before purchasing a new computer?

You’ll need to decide whether you want to buy your computer before or after you arrive on campus. For instance, you may want to delay your purchase for financial reasons or because you can't bring it with you for some reason. If you choose, you can purchase your own computer on-campus from the University's Micro Order Center, as an alternative to local and national computer retailers, and have it conveniently delivered directly to your University Residence Hall room. You can contact a representative by phone at (800) 455-2365 or you can browse the Center's price lists online.

New Computer Purchase Recommendations

Detailed information on minimum specifications (such as memory, processor, and wireless card) can be found on the Recommended Computer Configurations page.

Software

Before you buy any new software or have it pre-installed by a computer manufacturer, check CITES Software WebStore to see if you can get the same software at a substantial discount. You can save money by purchasing the computer software you'll need for classes at significant educational discounts from the University's online software distributor, CITES Software WebStore.