There is no general requirement to own or use a computer at Washburn. Washburn provides a number of general access labs where students can use Washburn-owned computers to do their work.

 

That being said, many Washburn students choose to buy their own computers to help them with their coursework. We are often asked for recommendations for computers for incoming students. Below are a few things worth considering:

 

Do you need one right away? Sometimes, the most useful aspect of a computer will not be apparent until after you have started a class. It may not be a bad idea to wait until a couple of weeks into classes before getting a computer. A student can use labs while assessing their requirements and asking questions of their instructors or peers. Many systems also go on sale after the rush of early purchases for school, so there may be advantages to waiting.

 

Are you living on-campus? Washburn provides high-speed wired internet access in student living areas, and starting Fall semester 2008, will be providing high-speed wireless internet in all student living areas. For greatest speed and convenience, we recommend 802.11a/b/g compatible systems. Draft 802.11n wireless systems will work just fine on campus as well, though we don’t expect an initial campus deployment of native 802.11n technology before the summer of 2009.

Washburn University supports a core set of software  in labs, mediated classrooms, and on faculty and staff systems.  Many of these are available for free or at substantially discounted student prices in the Memorial Union Bookstore. Purchasing equivalent software will provide for compatibility with the resources used by other students and by faculty members.  In particular, note that for our core productivity suite we use Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows and Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac systems.  The applications in these Suites, primarily Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, can read and write older versions of Microsoft Office files, as well as many other compatible formats. You may choose to buy a Student Select version of Microsoft Office or any other software that writes office or compatible file formats, such as Real Text Format (.rtf). 

View our ISS Core Supported Software for further details on what software we run in labs.

The choice of buying a desktop or a laptop computer these days is based more on personal preference than any technical capabilities. Modern laptops are generally capable of being equipped for anything that students might ask of them.

A desktop has the advantage of comfort for long-term use, a large keyboard and monitor is often easier on the hands and eyes, and may be particularly advantageous for those with disabilities.

A laptop or other portable system has the advantages of mobility. A laptop with wireless network capability can take advantage of our many wireless hotspots across campus, and can be taken into a classroom, with the instructor’s permission, for note-taking and coursework. On the downside, laptops are often more exposed to the dangers of damage and loss than desktops, and may be more expensive to buy, maintain, and repair than a desktop.

Other alternatives exist, for example tablet PCs are specialized laptops that are generally smaller, lighter, and able to accept screen-based input and handwriting. Again, the choice is based entirely on personal preference for such devices.

Yes, all students, faculty, and staff are allowed up to 3 registered devices on the campus network, not including Washburn-supplied systems.

While we do not recommend a particular manufacturer's computer, Washburn recommends the minimum computer configuration we purchase for our own labs and staff uses. Those requirements are detailed in the ISS Standard PC Configurations reference.

For security purposes, Washburn requires desktop and laptop computers that connect to the campus network to run one of the following operating systems:

Windows XP SP2 or later

Windows Vista (latest Service Pack level recommended)

Mac OS 10.4.x (latest version)

Mac OS 10.5.3 or later

 

Please note that systems will be checked to verify that all the latest security updates are installed before final access is granted to the wired network.

 

Some users may wish to connect devices with other operating systems. These may be allowed on a case-by-case basis but will have minimal support in the event of problems.

 

 

For a number of reasons there are certain things that are not allowed on the campus network. This is for your safety and security, and to ensure that you don’t inadvertently cause problems for others on the campus network. Use of the campus network is governed by the Washburn Acceptable Use Policy, below are some examples of things that we do not allow on the campus network:

 

Equipment or data that are illegal under Federal or State Law

Unauthorized wireless network access points (e.g. wireless routers)

Unauthorized network switches and hubs

Equipment providing unauthorized network services, such as DHCP, DNS, WINS, and NAT

Equipment using network protocols other than those normally used for internet traffic

 

In general, you will be fine if you bring your computer, but please leave the networking to us.

 

 

Feel free to contact the Washburn Technical Support Center for more information at support@washburn.edu or 785-670-3000.