<p>Essential</a> Computing Info for New Undergraduates</p>
<p>Among the recommendations: don't spend a large amount of money buying new MS Office suites or professional versions of windows operating systems. You can buy them cheaply at UVa once you get your student ID during the summer orientation session.</p>
<p>(For windows computers, you do need to have a basic version of windows installed before you can buy the full version from UVa.)</p>
<p>I think it is great that U-Va is publishing this information which is very helpful to prospective students.
And the advice to backup one’s data is the single best thing on that page.</p>
<p>However, just a couple of other things.</p>
<p>Computers are now sold with Windows 8 pre-installed, not Windows 7. So the page is a little out of date.</p>
<p>The $15 purchase option for Microsoft Office is not unique to U-Va. Many institutions have personal-use Licensing Agreements with Microsoft.</p>
<p>I’m not aware of any current version of MS Office called “Enterprise Edition.” (There may have been at one time. I can’t recall.)</p>
<p>Microsoft says there are two Office 2010 suites available via Volume Licensing agreements: Office Professional Plus and Office Standard.</p>
<p>Professional Plus includes: SharePoint Workspace 2010 (formerly known as Groove). </p>
<p>Both, I believe, include: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Publisher and Access. But don’t quote me.</p>
<p>Other versions are Home & Student, Home & Business and Office University</p>
<p>Also, by the way, many computers have a “light” version of MS Office already pre-installed.</p>
<p>Thank you for posting this info. It’ll be very helpful if our applicant is admitted.</p>
<p>Do anyone have data about mac vs windows, specifically for engineering students?</p>
<p>SpaceCoastMom - Please note the date on this is April 2012. It is updated each year for the incoming class in April, however this will give you an idea of what to expect as well as answer your questions regarding PC vs MAC.</p>
<p>[UVA</a> School of Engineering and Applied Science, 1st Yr PC Recommendations](<a href=“http://infotech.seas.virginia.edu/firstyear/]UVA”>http://infotech.seas.virginia.edu/firstyear/)</p>
<p><a href=“http://infotech.seas.virginia.edu/firstyear/UVA-SEAS-1stYr-FAQ-Mac.pdf[/url]”>http://infotech.seas.virginia.edu/firstyear/UVA-SEAS-1stYr-FAQ-Mac.pdf</a></p>
<p>Microsoft has changed the name of their Academic version of the Office Suite to the University version. It includes a full set of the common programs, including Access, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. </p>
<p>[Office</a> University 2010 - Office.com](<a href=“http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/university/]Office”>http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/university/)</p>