Ninety-eight percent of UB students own a computer, even though ownership is not strictly required to attend UB. Faculty and staff expect that all students will have access to a computer resource other than what is available in the on-campus libraries and computer labs. Many students who live off-campus use their home computers or laptops for class work and communication, while other students bring their own computers to use in their dorm rooms or on-campus apartments. No matter what computer you use, the IT professionals here at UB have put together a set of minimum requirements to make sure all students have the hardware they need to take full advantage of the university’s computer resources.

UB supports computers running the latest Microsoft XP, Apple OS, or UBLinux, our Linux based operating system. All current lists for supported hardware and software are on the UBIT website.

Whether running a Windows, Macintosh or Linux system, students should make sure their computer is able to run its operating system efficiently, without lock ups or crashes. All computers need to run Microsoft Office software, or on Linux systems, OpenOffice software. Computer need to run a web browser such as FireFox or Internet Explorer for access to email and other online services. If running a Windows platform, internet security software is also required due to the vulnerability of Windows to new computer viruses. In addition to having enough storage to install and run the required software, most computers also need enough capacity to store large files. Some sort of external storage device such as a USB flash drive (512 MB) or a CD is recommended.

UBMicro is our on-campus, non-profit computer store where you can purchase computer hardware, software and accessories. All the computers sold through UBMicro are certified to meet the latest UB computing standards and are configured for accessing e-mail, the internet, and all the campus network resources. New computers can be shipped directly to a home address, or picked up in the store. UBMicro staff can also answer any questions you have about how to update current computers to meet all the latest UB standards. Visit UBMicro online, or call directly at area code 716-645-3554.

Financial status is not a barrier to computer access at UB. Our Students Needing Assistance Program (SNAP) provides help to incoming students in need of financial assistance. SNAP is a first-come, first-served program and quantities are limited. For more information, visit UBMicro.