last updated  10/14/09

Overview

The College of Health Professions (CHP) requires that all residential students and some distance students bring a laptop to campus for their classes, labs and other activities. You will use this laptop computer for many important school-related activities. Our buildings are all wireless-enabled, and you will be able to access your campus email, student-related information, course materials, or other important web-based resources at any time using your laptop.

To ensure compatibility with the existing campus technology infrastructure, the College has identified hardware and software standards for student laptops (see below). Students must bring to campus a laptop that meets or exceeds these standards. Please note that CHP laptop hardware and software standards are different from university standards. The College has provided some suggested laptop models below for students interested in purchasing a new laptop. 

During orientation, new students will attend an IT training. You will be given instructions on how to access the campus wireless network, email, course materials, software, and computer support. You will need your laptop for this training. If you are waiting on financial aid in order to purchase your laptop at the time of orientation, you will still need to attend the IT orientation. All students should have laptops in hand by the second week of classes. 

For more information on the laptop requirement, please contact Dusti Annan-Coultas, Director of Educational Technology at 843-792-3968 or annandu@musc.edu

Suggested Laptop Models

Below are some laptop models suggested by the College for students who need to purchase a new computer. Students assume all risk and responsibility when purchasing these models.

• Dell Studio 15 (available to purchase from Dell website: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndobw1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-studio-1555)
• Macbook Pro 13" (avialable to purchase from http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs-13inch.html)
• Macbook Pro 15" (available to purchase http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html)

If Dell or Apple update these models, the above links may change. These links will be reviewed periodically.

Student Laptop Minimum Standards and Requirements 

Students must bring to campus a laptop that meets or exceeds the following standards. Students with laptops that do not meet the minimum standards will receive limited software support by the College IT team. IT will not be able to offer hardware support or repair for any student-owned laptops. At the time of orientation, IT will make available information regarding ways to get help with hardware support and repair. Students who need to purchase software may be able to do so through Compusult (http://www.compusult.com/, 1-800-992-6058). Compusult is a local software retail company that offers students discounted prices.

PC Hardware Standards

• Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache
• 4GB RAM memory
• 120GB Hard Drive
• Graphics card with 256MB dedicated memory
• Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11 a/g/n
• DVD-RW

PC Software Standards

• Windows 7 Professional or Vista Home Premium
• Microsoft Office 2007 Professional
• Adobe Acrobat PDF Viewer
• Virus protection software
• Quicktime
• Windows Media Player
• DVD player software

Mac Hardware Standards

• 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB on-chip shared L2 cache 
• 4GB RAM memory
• 120GB Hard Drive
• Graphics card with 256MB dedicated memory
• WiFi 802.11 a/g/n
• DVD-RW

Mac Software Standards

• OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
• Office 2008 for Mac Business Edition
• Adobe Acrobat PDF Viewer
• Virus protection software
• Quicktime
• Windows Media Player
• DVD player software