Open Laptop Program

All students enrolled in the Dental School are required to have a laptop that meets the "Open Laptop Program" minimum requirements by the first day of class. Students entering on July of 2012 must pre-register their private laptop. Instructions on how to pre-register will be emailed by May 20th.

If students do not currently have a personal laptop, we strongly recommend that they purchase through our links under Recommended Laptops and take advantage of onsite support.

Minimum Laptop Specifications

The following are the minimum specifications required to be in compliance with this program:

PC

• Windows XP SP2 or above
• Microsoft Office 2007 or above
• Security software with an up-to-date virus definition file
• Wireless capability (wireless adapter A/B/G and N)
• Internet Explorer (IE) version 7 or above or Firefox
• An Ethernet port, or a USB-ethernet port adapter, which would allow you to get an Ethernet connection, when needed

Mac

• OS X or above
• Microsoft Office 2004 or above
• Security software with up-to-date virus definition file
• Wireless capability (wireless adapter A/B/G and N)
• Firefox browser
• An Ethernet port, or a USB-ethernet port adapter, which would allow you to get an Ethernet connection, when needed

Efforts will be made to assist students in upgrading their laptops with selected software at a discounted price.

Recommended Laptops

The recommended laptops for students entering on July of 2012 are Apple and HP, which may be purchased through the following links:

• Apple
• HP

Benefits of Purchasing a Recommended Laptop

The use of a recommended laptop has a number of benefits. Recommended laptops are pre-configured and pre-tested to insure that they are able to effectively work with network communications, printing resources, and other services supported by the dental school.

Recommended laptops will receive the following support, through the dental school's IT Help Desk services:

• Installing school software
• Assistance in connecting to the wireless network, printing, etc
• Removing and preventing viruses and spyware
• Troubleshooting and tuning up (running updates, etc.)

IT Help Desk support does not include repairs to laptops. For that you must find an off-campus repair facility.

Getting Help

Bring your laptop to the IT Help Desk on the 6th floor. You will be asked to complete a service form describing the type of assistance you are requesting. An IT personnel will provide basic support, including installing software, etc. If other problems are present, such as viruses or spyware, which may prevent connection to the wireless network, or if you are requesting more advanced troubleshooting assistance, your laptop will be left for an IT technician to diagnose.

Technology Fee

The "technology fee" paid by students at the dental school covers the cost of a number of items that comprise the School of Dentistry Open Laptop Computer Program, including, but not limited to the following:

• Commercially developed software
• Software developed by the school
• Network access

Support

The IT Help Desk is open from 7:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Monday through Friday