Office of Medical Education

Recommended Computers

This year, instead of recommending specific systems, Academic Computing will offer guidelines on purchasing a system to fit your needs.

First, we recommend a quality system from a reputable dealer. Rarely are bargain systems true values. UK's official technology partner is Dell computers, a purchase page is available for student personal purchases:

http://www.uky.edu/Purchasing/ebuy/dellcontact.php

This page links directly to Dell's purchase site, provides purchasing instructions and has a few basic guides as well. Dell's purchase page allows the user to choose from standard campus packages including the Latitude laptop and the Optiplex desktop systems, both suitable for the student user, or the full catalog of systems is available at a 12 percent discount.

Second, the individual must decide between a laptop or a desktop system. The advantages of a laptop are portability and the ability to link to the wireless UK network providing free Internet while on UK's campus. The desktop models are more powerful for the money and tend to be more durable and easier to use with conventional mice and keyboards. Due to the fine detailed images required for studying pathology, microbiology, physiology, etc, if you do purchase a laptop, we recommend the enhanced LCD screens available on most laptop systems. The detail of microstructures tend to show up much better with these "+" rated displays.

Third, what ever base system you choose, it needs to be compatible with UK's software and infrastructure. Currently, UK supports Windows XP operating systems. Macintosh, while a good computer system, is not recommended for compatibility reasons. Likewise, the new Vista operating system is not recommended for compatibility of both software and hardware, besides, most new operating systems have numerous 'bugs' to work out, we recommend you let others be the guinea pig and upgrade when the issues are resolved.

Fourth, the Microsoft Office productivity pack is recommended. While many lectures and materials are available in the Web to students, some are only available in Word, PowerPoint or Excel formats. Even Web-based materials usually start from MS Office originals and are available for download in some cases. Besides the aforementioned reasons, most students need a means of producing notes and homework assignments, Office is the most universal method.

Choose a system that has convenient file storage capability. DVD and CD writers are excellent for long term storage of files. Memory sticks, Jump Drives and other EPROM devices are currently the easiest method of getting files from one place to another and have proven very handy for students. The first thing you should do when you get a new system is to make a system backup to restore your computer if something where to happen to it. Be sure to ask for system restore disks when you purchase your new system and ask for the best method of making a system image to restore your computer. Sometimes they can include a 'factory image' of your system on your hard drive or on disk. Likewise, make DVD/CD copies of your unique files like your work documents. Less than 1 percent of computers fail before End of Service, usually three to four years, but that means one or two systems fail for 400 medical students per year, don't be unprepared if you are one of them.