The Columbia Law School Information Technology Department encourages each student to obtain a notebook computer. Personal computers are not required, as computer labs are available for the exclusive use of Law School students. However, the computer labs are very busy during peak hours, and owning a computer allows one to avoid long lines and crowded conditions.
Please Note:
If you buy a computer, the most important consideration is that you buy one you feel comfortable using and will be productive with. Since the Law School does not require that you own a computer, you are free to purchase what you want. We recommend notebooks over desktops simply for the portability. With a notebook, you can bring your computer to school, use it in class or the library, and even take your exams on it.
The IT department welcomes any type of student-owned notebook computers and operating systems and such computers are not, in any way, prevented from connecting and fully utilizing the CLS network.
To that end, you are welcome, free of charge, to the CLS-IT notebook manual designed to guide you through the necessary steps to connect your computer to both the Columbia Law School network and CUNIX. Although the information contained in the manual is intended for computers running English versions of Windows XP Professional and Mac OSX, with some level of computer competency, you may be able to extrapolate the necessary information to successfully configure your other computers as well. If you have an English version of Windows XP Pro or Mac OSX , feel free to contact the Helpdesk notebook specialist for connectivity advice.
Please note that Columbia University provides computer and software purchasing programs to students, faculty, and staff: Apple for Education, J&R Computer World corporate discount, and Dell Computer discount. This service is available at http://www.columbia.edu/acis/acsc/sales/ (you will be asked to login using your University Network ID - UNI).
Price
The general rule with notebooks is: you get what you pay for. Cheaper notebooks usually run slowly and break often. Over the lifecycle of the computer, the time spent waiting for it to boot or waiting for it to be repaired accumulates into a lot of wasted time, money, and frustration. Paying the premium for a high-quality notebook at purchase time, while not ensuring that it will be more reliable or break less often, significantly increases the chances thereof. If you qualify for financial aid, you may be able to apply some of it to your computer purchase; contact the Financial Aid office for further information.
Network Connectivity
The Law School maintains a robust Ethernet network throughout its buildings. In addition to numerous standard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet jacks, we provide wireless Ethernet coverage throughout much of the Law School, and the University provides wired and wireless coverage throughout much of the main campus. A wired Ethernet card is a virtual necessity in this environment. A wireless Ethernet card is a convenience. There are times when one is more appropriate than the other; you may purchase both if your budget and preferences allow. Note that some computers come with an integrated Ethernet adapter, in which case you will not need to purchase an Ethernet card (consult your vendor).
Network Connectivity Support
Although you are free to purchase any computer you like, if you plan to connect to the Law School network and receive network connectivity support from the IT Department, your notebook must use an English-language version of Windows XP Professional or Mac OSX.
Where to Purchase
Please note that Columbia University provides computer and software purchasing programs to students, faculty, and staff: Apple for Education, J&R Computer World corporate discount, and Dell Computer discount. This service is available at http://www.columbia.edu/acis/acsc/sales/ (you will be asked to login using your University Network ID - UNI).
In addition, you can purchase online from a number of vendors including Lenovo (www.lenovo.com), Compaq (www.compaq.com), and others. If you want to look and use some notebooks before you purchase, CompUSA (Broadway and 57th St in Manhattan) has numerous models to test drive. Or visit a Staples store near you. You may find certain websites helpful, like http://shopper.cnet.com and http://www.pricewatch.com.
Recommended Specifications
The following recommendations are provided to help you choose your computer. These are not requirements, but they are our sincere recommendations based on years of experience. Your preferences and budget may steer you outside of these recommendations. Your salesperson can help you identify a computer meeting the appropriate balance of these recommendations and your personal preferences.
Hardware
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Manufacturer
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Any IBM compatible computers
Any Apple notebook computers
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CPU
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1.3 GHz or higher processor clock speed
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Memory
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1 GB or more
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Hard Drive
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40 GB or more
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Battery
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3 hours or more
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Warranty
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3 year parts/labor onsite service or more
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Technical Support
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24x7 phone support
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Wired Network Adapter
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Any make or model
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Wireless Network Adapter
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Any 802.11b-compatible Ethernet card
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Modem
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Any make or model.
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Insurance
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We recommend you insure your computer
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Security
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Cable locks are available from the Columbia University Security Department and most computer vendors.
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Software
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Operating System
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Windows XP Professional or Mac OS X Tiger
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Software
(Purchase both)
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Microsoft Office Suite and
Corel WordPerfect
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Anti-Virus
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Norton AntiVirus
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Preferential factors
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Screen size
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These considerations are completely up to your individual preferences.
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Weight
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Type of Pointing Device
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Sound Quality
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CD-ROM vs. CD-RW vs. DVD
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[1] MS Word and Corel WordPerfect are both used extensively at the Law School. You will encounter documents in both formats and are strongly advised to avoid converting documents between formats; hence we recommend you install both programs on your computer. Both are available at the Columbia University Bookstore at academic discount.
[2] This software or its equivalent can be obtained this fall from the IT Department at no charge.