Contents
Hardware
Software
Networking
Purchasing
Hardware
May I use a computer that I already own?
You may bring an older computer, but please keep in mind:
- The older a computer, the greater the risk of a hardware failure. Newbury
College staff cannot fix personal hardware. We have neither the required
personnel nor the facilities.
- We also see hard disk failures with a resulting loss of many important
documents. Every student should learn to backup documents by burning a CD-R
or by copying to a USB key chain drive.
- Windows 95, 98, Me, and Apple Macintosh OS 9 cannot communicate with
network data servers from the dorms. These old operating systems connect to
the Internet, but they cannot get files from campus servers. Also, Microsoft
no longer supports Windows 95/98, and they may not support Windows
Me and Windows 2000.
Do I need an Apple Macintosh or Microsoft Windows PC?
Our students and employees use both with a majority using Windows. We support
both.
Graphic Design tends to use Macintosh whereas Math and Computer Science uses
Windows PCs. Other departments use a mix.
Our student email system, Outlook Web Access, is available with any Apple
or Windows browser.
Which is better, a tower or a notebook?
A notebook computer with wireless allows you to work in the library during busy
times like midterms and finals without waiting for a computer. You can also
work in the dining hall, cafe, and the greens.
If you purchase a notebook computer, get the extended 3 year warranty because
of expensive repairs. Some companies, e.g. Dell, do not cover accidental damage
in their normal warranty. They offer a special extended warranty with coverage
for accidents which you should consider.. Several students have spilled drinks
on their notebook keyboards resulting in a destroyed motherboard at a replacement
cost of hundreds of dollars. If you go with a Macintosh, Apple includes telephone
software support with their extended hardware warranty, AppleCare.
I'm buying a notebook. What about a carrying case?
Students do not like to carry large, heavy notebook cases like you might see
in the hands of a business traveler. Rather than risk having an expensive computer
toted around bare, you might consider a protective computer sleeve or small
carrying case.
If you are looking for a product on the Internet, here are some brands and models
to enter in a search engine: Slipskin by Targus, Body Glove by Fellowes, and
Neoprene Notebook Sleeve by Case Logic. We have not tested these; we're just
providing a tip on where to start looking when shopping.
We use and really like the small cases by Higher Ground which are traditional
cases with handles and straps, but they're more compact than usual.
What brand and model should I buy?
Newbury does not require or recommend specific models. Your budget is
the determining factor.
We have done well with Dell and Apple computers. However, Dell has provided
very good support to our students, especially with extended warranties.
It appears that the lighter the notebook computer, the more likely a student
is to carry it when going to the library or class. This is a benefit. Students
will carry a 3 or 4 pound computer whereas a 5 pound computer may be left in
their room.
Memory needs?
Windows XP: We strongly suggest at least 512 megabytes of memory (RAM)
and preferably 1 gigabyte.
Windows Vista: Purchase 2 gigabytes of memory (RAM). 1 gigabyte is the
bare minimum; it works but the computer will be very slow. Vista needs a fast
processor and a lot of memory.
Apple Macintosh OS X: Purchase 1 or 2 gigabytes of memory.
Note: If you purchase a computer with Windows XP, seriously consider purchasing
at least 2 gigabytes of RAM for a potential upgrade to Windows Vista during
your college career.
Do I need networking hardware?
You need a wireless card for wireless access on the Newbury campus. Almost every
new notebook computer has built-in wireless.
PCs and corresponding internet access for home use are purchased at your own
discretion. Please contact your Internet Service Provider for specific information.
New computers don't have floppy drives. What drives should I consider?
CD burners are excellent for permanent, read-only backups of documents, music,
photographs, and other files.
A CD-R can also be used to carry documents, but there are serious limitations.
One is that students often burn the CD in a way that makes it incompatible with
other computers. They get to the classroom to make a presentation and the CD
cannot be read. Second, the most compatible CDs are read-only. If you use it
to carry a project to a public computer in the library, you can work on the
project, but you cannot save it back to the read-only CD. Therefore, a CD-R
is great for permanent backup, but it is not the best way to carry works in
progress.
Floppy disk drives are obsolete because floppies are not reliable and they're
too small for many types of files, e.g. music, photos, PowerPoint slide shows,
etc.
Our recommended solution to the CD-R and floppy issues is to use a USB key chain
drive, aka thumb drive:
- It is very inexpensive.
- It is very small and portable.
- It is much more reliable than a floppy.
- The 512 MB size holds as much as 320 floppies!
- Unlike a CD-R, a USB drive is read and write, not read-only.
- Finally, it can be used with any Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Apple
OS X computer.
Software
Do I need special software?
We use Microsoft Office with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
The current campus software is Office 2003 for Windows and Office 2004
for OS X.
Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows is available, but it has a radically
different interface and file format. If you have this version, please contact
the help desk about the proper way to save documents before sending them to a
professor.
Students are able to purchase Microsoft Office 2007 (Windows) and Microsoft
Office 2004 (Apple Macintosh) through a 3rd party distributor.
What about security software?
New computers come with a "teaser" version of antivirus software that
works for only 60 or 90 days and eventually stops protecting. You're supposed
to be hooked by then and will therefore purchase the full product. Students
don't do that and soon they have outdated, inactive virus protection and a corrupt,
unusable computer. A professional cleanup is time consuming and therefore costly.
Please remove any old, outdated, non-functional, or trial antivirus software
and install the one we recommend. AVG Anti-Virus Free edition is a popular solution
available at no cost to home users and provides a high level of virus detection
capability. AVG runs on Windows Vista, XP, 2000, 98 and Me, but not on a Mac. If you need advice
about uninstalling your old program or installing the new, please call the Newbury
College help desk.
Windows Defender is very helpful in preventing and
removing spyware and adware. It is a free download for Microsoft
for Windows XP but it comes with Windows Vista.
See http://www.microsoft.com/defender
for details. This does not replace antivirus software; viruses
and spyware are different kinds of malware and require different
security software. You want both antivirus and antispyware
protection.
Do I choose Microsoft Windows 'XP Home' or 'XP Pro' or 'Vista'?
Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Home
both work fine.
Windows Vista works on the campus network, but some existing software
will not be compatible until new versions are released.
Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007 are very compatible
with Windows Vista. Many other programs will not
run or will run with errors. If you have Vista, always install
the newest version of any 3rd party software.
Which Apple Macintosh OS do I choose?
The latest versions of Apple Macintosh OS X are best, i.e. Panther, Tiger, or
newer.
OS 9 does not work well on our network and the help desk cannot support it.
What about the discs that came with the computer?
Bring the operating system and application discs to school, or at least copies
of them. If someone has to perform maintenance on the computer, it may be necessary
to have them readily available.
Networking
Will I have Internet access in my dorm room?
Each dorm room has wireless connectivity.
Will I have Internet access on the Newbury campus?
Most of the campus will have wireless capabilities, with
the exception of Holland Hall and the Carriage House. If
you have problems connecting to the Newbury wireless network,
contact the campus help desk located in LG 002 in the Academic
Center.
Purchasing
I heard Newbury students can get discounts.
Dell gives our students an educational discount. See Dell student discounts
here.
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Revised 09/04/2007
Information Technology Department
Newbury College
(617) 738-2421
or email helpdesk@newbury.edu
