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Buying a Computer?
Leverage your education with a wireless laptop. The College of Engineering encourages students to purchase their own wireless laptop computer. A wireless laptop provides many advantages for an engineering student including mobility, in class use, and collaboration. Laptops allow students easy and flexible access to Web-based intellectual, social, and creative environments on campus. Access to the engineering instructional software and public printers is available to wireless users throughout the College of Engineering campus. Wireless access to the internet is also available in many public areas around the UW-Madison campus. If your budget does not allow you to purchase a laptop, don't. College public computer labs are available through the Computer-Aided Engineering Center (CAE) for all engineering students. Hardware recommendations for a new computer purchase:
  • 2.0 GHz Pentium Core Duo processor, or equivalent CPU
  • 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM
  • 80 GB Hard Drive
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate
  • CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive or DVD±RW Drive --> -->
  • Internal Wireless Card (compatible with the IEEE 802.11b/g standard)
  • 14 inch (or larger) XGA Display, 1024 x 768 minimum
  • Video Card with at least 128 MB memory
  • Onboard Gigabit Ethernet
  • 3 Yr Parts and Labor Warranty (minimum)
To purchase a laptop that meets these requirements at educational pricing go to the DoIT Tech Store. These recommended specifications can be upgraded if your budget permits. Buying a faster processor, more RAM, larger hard disk, etc. will certainly improve the performance of any computer. These upgrades will also extend the useful life of the laptop. Parts and labor for repairing a laptop are expensive. Purchasing a good warranty that includes parts and labor is a good investment to keep your laptop functioning properly. It is also a good idea to check your homeowners or renters insurance to see if it will cover claims against a laptop. Also, there are various security devices and carrying cases available to deter theft. Do not buy a laptop solely on the basis of price. There are a number of laptop vendors and the industry is highly competitive. Purchase a computer with high quality parts, service, and support. As an engineering student, your laptop is an essential tool and purchasing one that will last and give you little trouble is well worth the additional expense. Before you rush into purchasing an external monitor, keyboards, mice, docking stations, or other peripheral devices, you should use your laptop for a few days to see how well you adjust to it. Many laptop users find these peripherals unnecessary and not a wise use of money. If you already own a wireless laptop and plan to bring it to campus, the minimum recommended configuration depends somewhat on usage. The below minimum configuration will be sufficient for a first year engineering student. Minimum hardware configuration: --> -->
  • 1.6GHz Pentium M, Dual Core processor, or equivalent CPU
  • 1 GB DDR SDRAM (1 DIMM)
  • 60 GB Hard Drive
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive or DVD±RW Drive --> -->
  • Internal Wireless Card (compatible with the IEEE 802.11b/g standard)
  • 14 inch (or larger) XGA Display, 1024 x 768 minimum
  • Video Card with at least 32 MB (non-shared) Memory
  • 10/100BaseT Ethernet card
To extend its usefulness and get more enjoyment out of your laptop you may wish to exceed the minimum specifications we have listed above. If you do wish to upgrade an already purchased laptop from the minimum specifications above, we suggest that you first purchase additional RAM, then increase the size of the hard drive. These two upgrade items will most affect enhanced performance. Software recommendations: Purchase your Windows operating system and productivity software through the online Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog or get buying advice from the DoIT Tech Store. DoIT is able to provide educational discounted software to students and faculty. For example, there are three office productivity suites available through the DoIT Tech Store: Microsoft Office, StarOffice, and Corel WordPerfect Office. It is highly recommended you download for FREE the Symantecs Security packages. Computer Security must be a real concern for all computer owners that connect to the Internet. For more information see the Personal Computing Security Guide. Software needed for your engineering courses is provided through either tethered licensing or terminal service technology from CAE.