Information Technology
Office
School of Engineering and Applied Science
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Recommendations for Fall 2008 will be posted on this page
later in May. For reference, last year's info is below (from Fall 2007), and
the recommendations will be similar.
Fall 2007 Recommendation on Computers
for Incoming 1st Year Students
http://infotech.seas.virginia.edu/firstyear
DRAFT 2
BASIC INFO
Minimum of a mid-range computer running Microsoft Vista or Windows XP. This will be a transition year as Vista is introduced to our computing environment. Windows Vista Business Edition will be loaded on the Cavalier Computers Back-to-School models described below. Windows XP Professional will be used in our student computer labs this academic year and is what most of our current 2nd - 4th year students already have running on their computers. The advice is if you are purchasing a new computer, go with Vista. If you are bringing a computer you already own that is loaded with XP, that's fine.
There has been a dramatic trend toward increased adoption of laptops by our students. A few faculty have started using these laptops in their classes. Last Fall, 94% of our incoming students selected a laptop vs. a desktop system. If you are planning on purchasing a new computer, a laptop or tabletPC is therefore suggested.
MORE ON VISTA
Microsoft Vista is available in six editions, and in 32 bit (and 64 bit versions for the advanced hardware that runs it). Our recommendation is a 32 bit version because device drivers and application software are much slower in being ported to the 64 bit editions. A link to information about the various Vista Editions are given in the references below. Choosing one of the professional editions (Business, Enterprise, Ultimate) is recommended. Many laptops sold in retail outlets, however, are outfitted with the consumer versions (Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium). Of those we recommend Home Premium. It will work fine for now, but please recognize that there is the possibility in the future that an edition upgrade may be required in order for you to access all of the computing services that the University will provide to students.
Hardware minimums to run Microsoft Windows Vista are greater than XP. We therefore don't recommend installing Vista on a computer that was sized to run XP.
The advice on hardware we've received for running Vista effectively are at least 2 GB of RAM, a 5400 rpm hard drive or faster, 256 MB or more of graphics RAM, and at least a 2 GHz CPU. In the advanced editions, there is a snazzy user interface called Aero which has higher graphic performance and graphics memory requirements. Vista works without Aero. If you are interested in the details, we've provided links below.
OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS
Microsoft Windows operating systems earlier than Vista or XP are not recommended or supported. There are also alternative platforms for running Vista and XP, but they too are not supported. They may function quite well for many pieces of software, but technical support is not available if something doesn't work right. There may be cases where some software or connected devices may not work at all. Examples include:
SOFTWARE
Software for classes is either bundled with the course textbook or can be purchased at attractive educational prices at U.Va. In our first year engineering course, we use the Excel spreadsheet software, which is also part of the Microsoft Office suite-- and is often bundled with new computers. The edition we're using this year in the student computing labs is Office 2003 Pro with Excel 2003, but both Microsoft's newest edition Office 2007 Pro and the prior edition -- Office XP containing Excel2002 are also okay.
MORE INFO
More general, U.Va.-wide info can be found at: "The University Computing Info and ITC Services for New Students," and ourSchool of Engineering & Applied Science FAQ.
THE UNIVERSITY'S COMPUTER RESELLER
Cavalier Computers, a division of the University Bookstore, offers DELL laptop PCs under a U.Va. contract. These computers are standardized models loaded with U.Va.’s general software configuration (anti-virus, communications, etc.), include a substantial warranty package, and are available for purchase by students. Cavalier Computers also offers a selection of Lenovo, Dell, HP, Sony and many other PCs in various price ranges without the software and warranty bundle. Please check with them for further details.
ETHERNET COVERAGE
U.Va. provides wireless Internet access for students in Library, study room, classroom and residence hall locations. It is based on the Wi-Fi standards (802.11 b -- Equipment rated for 802.11 b/g is fine; upgrades to a/b/g are underway in many locations.). For more details on this project, compatible hardware and locations of the wireless zones, please consult this link. The 1st year dormitories are also hardwired, with 10/100 Ethernet.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGYAt U.Va. over the next few years, we anticipate the proliferation of new personal computing devices such as mobile handhelds and "smartphones." The convergence of the cell phone and handheld computer is occurring, but infrastructure investments by service providers to improve data transfer rates for those devices are moving slowly in Charlottesville.
We also expect that many new products will be coming to market. It is therefore too soon to make any recommendations on purchasing these emerging devices prior to your arrival at U.Va.
Please check this page for updates later
in the year.
For further information, please consult our FAQ and these Web pages:
Contact Email/Telephone to get more info
Security for Personal Computers security tips, U.Va. policies and student responsibilities
U.Va.
Computing Info and ITC Services for New Students
Cavalier Computers (Division of
U.Va. Bookstore)
Autodesk, Inc. CAD software for Civil and Mechanical
Engineering Students [program home page]
Microsoft's Vista Editions Overview Page
Microsoft Visa System Requirements: [1] KnowledgeBase Article [2] PowerPoint slideshow
>BACK TO: U.Va.
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Revised: 6/1/07