Computer Requirements - Rules of Thumb (drive)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Florida State University
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<p>At FSU computers are absolutely essential to get anything done. It would be difficult to get by without your own computer. I strongly suggest you get your own - now, and be sure you use it now and are totally familiar with it before you go away to school. Figure out what makes it work at home rather than in your dorm room and away from help.</p>

<p>Computers are tools and you must know how to use them well. </p>

<p>Laptops are much easier to deal with than workstations/PCs - especially in dorm rooms or taking to class for presentations. Make sure you buy the lock that secures the laptop to your desk. </p>

<p>Get a sturdy backpack or other case that will fit and protect your laptop when you carry it across campus.</p>

<p>No matter what you buy - Apple or Windows, get Microsoft Office for Mac 2004 or Microsoft Office 2003 for Windows. Get the Professional version of Office, which can be had for a substantial educational discount at the FSU Computer Store.</p>

<p>Buy a USB Thumb drive of at least 512 MB (better still get 1GB). They are cheap; no one uses floppies anymore.</p>

<p>Make sure you can burn CDs (at a minimum). (No, not for just music)</p>

<p>Macs are less likely to have problems than Windows computers. You can run virtually any program on a Mac that you can on Windows (with either Boot Camp or Virtual PC for Mac {older Power PC hardware}). If you go this way, know how to make it work before you get to school. </p>

<p>Always buy the warranty - at a minimum, you'll need a new battery for the laptop before the warranty runs out.</p>

<p>After 6 semesters at FSU as a biochemistry major my daughter (who has a Mac) had two occasions to want to run a Windows application per her professors. One program was 'Maple' (allows you to write and run calculus and other advanced math equations as you create them) and a molecular construction program. Of the two, Maple proved unnecessary because the prof did most of the work with Maple and students used paper; the molecular construction program ran fine on Virtual PC for Mac.</p>

<p>She uses Word all the time as well as PowerPoint for presentations.</p>

<p>The university computer store offers all products at Educational discounts. They are nice people - the FSU bookstore has higher prices for computer gear.</p>

<p>If you're a Microsoft Windows fan - Vista, the new MS operating system is due out in 2007. While I don't suggest waiting to buy a computer - because you most certainly need a computer at FSU - you can buy the correct hardware for Vista now:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the great information!</p>

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<p>A push up for those just now thinking of buying a computer.</p>

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<p>Update - with the new Intel platform Apple uses you no longer need Virtual PC for Mac (used with the Power PC processor).</p>

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<p>As always parent2noles your information is always appreciated.</p>

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<p>computer/laptop lock where do you get that?</p>

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<p>The on-campus FSU Computer Store is an excellent place.</p>

<p>Click here >>> FSU</a> Computer Store</p>

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<p>Or any electronics store.</p>

<p>Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, etc...</p>

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<p>Don't forget <em>also</em> to download and use the Firefox browser.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.mozilla.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.mozilla.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Here's a link to CC's article on Laptop vs Desktop -- not saying one is better than another, just listing positives and negatives of both:
<a href="http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_life/notebook_desktop.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_life/notebook_desktop.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>This will make this easier to find.</p>

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<p>See that sucks, I got a laptop a graduation gift and it doesnt have a floppy disk, its one of those computers you build by dell and my mom didnt think i would need it.</p>

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<p>You don't need a floppy disk. As long as you have a CD/DVD drive/burner and possibly a memory stick would be good.</p>

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<p>Parent obvious you are skilled with PC, I do quite a bit myself. I think all your comments are spot on thanks for the info. The only thing I might add is you have an older PC or Laptop and get the thumb drive make sure you don't endup with an issue between USB 1 and USB 2. I was transfering files to my new laptop from my old Dell and couldn't use my new USB 2 1 GB thumbdrive because the laptop was still USB 1, had to use my old thumb drive which was 512, just took a bit longer.</p>

<p>I'm getting my daughter the same HP laptop as I bought in December (Pavillion 6000) great machine plus if she has issues we can work along over the phone to get it resolved. My comment if possible you may want to mimic your machine at home.</p>

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<p>I would urge any student going to FSU to buy a new laptop. You really do not need issues of repair and incompatibility.</p>

<p>bb - you don't need a floppy drive. Just buy a USB thumb drive. No one uses floppies anymore.</p>

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<p>Parent2 are there network hubs in the classrooms and labs where they truly are road warriors and can just plug-in?</p>

<p>I think your comment about buying new is a good suggestion. We are going to buy ahead of time and bring it with us also. Make sure the virus protection is up to date and working.</p>

<p>I'm also thinking about scanners, do they have those avaliable around campus where if they need to send hard copy electronically you have that option. If not I guess Kinko's is always the option.</p>

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<p>The campus is wireless outside of the dorms, but in dorm rooms you must connect an Ethernet cable to use your laptop. Make sure you buy an 802.11g wireless capability with your laptop.</p>

<p>I'd suggest buying a printer/scanner/copier combo for the student. Then you'll need a long USB cable to reach where the printer is - which can be under the bed (the beds in the dorm raise up for storage).</p>

<p>Windows/Vista computer will need a complete security package, including virus, trojan, intrusion and spyware protection. Macs don't need as much - yet - but be sure to turn the OS firewall "on" and close any remote services.</p>

<p>The libraries and computer labs have computers and printers, probably scanners, too. If you have a thumb drive you can save you files easily on it and transport them to whatever computer you need.</p>