Office of Medical Education

Technology Expectations

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The College of Medicine requires that medical students’ computers meet the recommended specifications and enhanced warranty configurations described on the Academic Computing in Medical Education guide located on this page. An entry level system, an intermediate system and a portable system are detailed on this page. The basic model guidelines will not change, but the prices are likely to lower for these systems as they become more mainstream technology. To take advantage of getting the best technology for the lowest price, we advise holding off any computer purchases until just prior to school starting or just after classes begin unless there is a pressing need to get a new system immediately.

Why are there multiple systems to choose from?
We have found that each system offers different advantages. A desktop computer offers students a more affordable option during the basic science or first two years of medical school. This could serve as a home base for network access and instructional applications and, during the clinical years, as a home base for a palmtop computer. A more advanced desktop system will not become obsolete as quickly as a less advanced model and has added capabilities, while not required by the COM, are certainly desirable to a more advanced user. A laptop computer is more mobile, an advantage during the clinical years, and can also serve very well during the basic science years filling the role of a desktop computer.

In addition to a computer system, you will likely need a printer. Good printers typically sell for approximately $200. The Epson Stylus series and Hewlett Packard DeskJet series are good printers. Other reputable printer companies include Lexmark and Canon.

In order to transport large files and applications, we recommend that you purchase a mass storage device since presentations and distributed curricular software often exceed the capacity of diskettes. Standards at the College of Medicine include various flash drives, a flash drive is distributed during orientation to the medical students. In addition, CD writers can store 700 MB of data that is universally accepted and can be used as a mass storage device. While CDs offer a cheap and reliable medium to transport files and for permanent storage, once written to, CDs are single use items. Once a data CD is used for storage, the files cannot be altered on the CD and no other data can be appended to the CD. This is not that bad of a disadvantage as it first appears. As mentioned before, the price of data CDs are very inexpensive, so stored files can be edited on a computer and the appended file can then be copied onto a new data CD.

Students who do not purchase a recommended machine need to have access to a computer that meets or exceeds the specifications of the recommended machines. However, caution is advised when buying ‘no-name’ systems. In the past, both manufacturers and stores have gone out of business, leaving students without technical support, necessary upgrades, equipment options or recourse. Students must make sure that his or her machine's manufacturer or retail outlet offers at least three years of warranty support and a service department for problems. College of Medicine IT cannot guarantee that a system not meeting the capabilities of the recommended systems or not manufactured by a quality company will work with the standard software.

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Internet Service Providers (ISP)
The College of Medicine strongly recommends that you subscribe to a reputable and reliable internet service provider for broadband internet service. Both DSL and cable services are available in the area. The Insight digital cable TV company currently offers a discount to UK students who have subscribed to one of their Digital Gateway TV packages.

• Insight Broadband - $27.00 per month if a digital cable TV package is subscribed and includes six e-mail addresses and 10 MB of personal Web space. You should check for availability and any setup fees in your area.

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Technical Support
Students who purchase the recommended machine will experience high levels of stability in machine performance and the reliability of on-site service provided by the manufacturer.

Changing Technologies
Computer models change very frequently. The models available at the time of writing may or may not be available in May, June or July. New computer models and hardware/software bundles representing better values can be expected throughout the spring and summer. New models generally have added features at the same cost and tend to drive down the price of previous models.

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Technology Assistance
Should you have questions of a technical nature regarding your choice of a computer, please call 859 323-3580, visit College of Medicine Learning Center — 807 S. Limestone or e-mail Scott Pappas.