Charlton College of Business Laptop Computer Recommendations for Incoming Freshmen
Using your laptop in
the Charlton College of Business (CCB)
The Charlton College of Business recommends that its students have a standardized laptop computer that includes software and related services. It is important for students to share a common platform, so that hardware and software differences do not impede the delivery of course content.
Business students use their laptops to complete homework assignments, interact with faculty and other students, and conduct research. With wireless access prevalent throughout the campus, laptops enable students to use technology to learn and collaborate at many locations both within and outside of the classroom. Students with 24/7 access to a laptop also enhance their productivity and develop an expertise with technology that cannot be achieved via occasional use of a PC in a lab.
Business professors utilize technology in different ways. Some courses will be more technology-intensive than others, requiring students to use software and the Internet in class, complete in-class exercises and group work using the software, and take tests and quizzes on the laptop. Other courses will require the use of applications outside of class time. With their laptops, CCB students will be able to master the basic business tools such as Microsoft Office and other software applications as well as conduct research using electronic databases and online periodicals.
Hardware
- Operating System: Windows® XP Professional (Service Pack 2 & Backup CD) *
- Weight: Personal, varies by model, feature set and screen size
- Display: 12" to 15.4"
- Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
- Memory: 2 GB (2 DIMM)
- Port Replicator: recommended
- Resolution: SXGA
- Video: 128MB video memory
- Hard Drive: 80GB 5400rpm Ultra ATA
- Optical Drive(s): DL DVD±RW/CD-RW drive
- Wireless: Integrated 802.11 a/b/g wireless networking card
- Warranty/Service: 3-year parts, labor & service on-site; 3-year tech support **
- Accident Insurance: 3-Year **
- Lithium Ion Battery: 4+ hours with AC pack and 1-year warranty
- Ports: (2) USB 2.0, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), VGA, Integrated sound and stereo speakers, headphone/speaker jack, and mic jacks
- Modem: Increasingly unnecessary
- Expansion Slots: (1) Type II PC card slot, Integrated 4-in-1 Memory Card Reader
- Network Adapter: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet adapter
- Floppy: Increasingly unnecessary
* Please note that as of June 30, 2008 Microsoft may no longer offer Windows XP for purchase. If you cannot purchase Windows XP, select the vendor’s preferred operating system for the computer you are purchasing.
** The purchase of these services is strongly recommended but may not be available from all computer vendors.
Software/Downloads
The CCB version of Microsoft Office 2007 is available for a one-time download and installation, available only to fall 2008 incoming CCB freshmen. Please download the software on the computer you intend to use for your fall 2008 coursework.
Please read the license agreement prior to downloading. Details about downloading are on the Installation Instructions page. Once you click on the Office 2007 Download link, you will need to log in using your email user name and password. The Getting Started Guide will be helpful once you've completed the Office 2007 download.
