Hi! I’m (student’s name) and in this lesson we’ll cover some of the computer hardware standards here at UB, and what you should look for when buying a computer for college.

Owning your own computer while going to UB is not strictly required, but last year ninety-eight percent of UB students did just that. In fact, the faculty and staff here at UB expect all students to have access to a computer resource other than what is available in the libraries and computer labs. Simply put, you just can’t get by without a reliable computer of your own. Many of us who live off-campus use our home computers or laptops for our classes and communication, while some students bring their own computers to use in their dorm rooms or on-campus apartments. Financial status is not a barrier to computer access at UB. Our Students Needing Assistance Program (SNAP) provides help to students with financial hardship. Either way, the IT professionals here at UB have put together a set of minimum requirements to make sure all of us have the hardware we need to take full advantage of the university’s computer resources.

Okay, let’s get down to it.

First of all, your choice of a computer is not limited to a particular brand or platform. UB supports computers running the latest Microsoft XP, Apple OS, or UBLinux, our Linux based operating systems, so choose the one you will be most efficient with and that meets your specific needs. Since many applications are being updated all the time, you’ll find the specific lists for supported hardware and software included in the text section of this lesson. For now, I’ll talk more about some of the general requirements for all computers that you need to be aware of.

Whether you are working with a Windows, Macintosh or Linux system, you should make sure your computer is able to run your operating system efficiently, without lock ups or crashes. Your computer needs to run Microsoft Office software, or if you have a Linux system, OpenOffice software. You’ll learn more about these in the next lesson. Your computer needs 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, your computer also needs enough capacity to store large files. Some sort of external storage device such as a writable CD/DVD drive is also recommended. In addition, every student should own a reliable USB flash drive for temporary storage and moving files between computers.

Now, if you’re without a computer yet, there are a couple options to think about. UBMicro is our on-campus, non-profit computer store where you can buy any of the hardware, software or accessories you may need. Buying a computer through UBMicro takes all the guesswork out of your decisions because all the computers we sell are certified to meet the latest UB computing standards and are already equipped for accessing your e-mail, the internet, and all the campus network resources. You can even have your new computer shipped right to your home, or have it waiting for you to pick up when your semester starts. UBMicro can also help answer any questions you have about how to update your current computer to meet all the latest UB standards. You can reach UBMicro by visiting them online at www.ubmicro.buffalo.edu, or by calling them directly at area code 716-645-3554.

Financial hardship may qualify you to receive a computer on loan through UB’s Students Needing Assistance Program (SNAP). Students who have submitted all their financial aid applications and paperwork to the Financial Aid Office by April 15th, and who have paid their tuition deposit fee by June 1st will be contacted by mail before August 1st if it is determined that they are eligible for a SNAP computer. For privacy, a list of the person numbers of eligible students, without names, is published on the UBMicro web site each semester. If you think you qualify, check the web site and have your person number handy. You can find more information about the SNAP program on the iconnect@ub website at www.buffalo.edu/iconnect.

Hopefully you now have a better idea of what to look for in a computer to meet your needs here at UB, and know where to go for help.

Thanks for watching!