College of Law Help Desk
8AM-5PM Monday-Friday
Email: help@libra.law.utk.edu
Laptops (Students)
Although College of Law students are NOT REQUIRED to have a laptop, following are some considerations and recommendations which might help if you decide to purchase a laptop.
These are only recommendations which may be beneficial to some users. Laptop capabilities, specifications and options are subject to change rapidly.
PLEASE NOTE: College of Law students have the option of using a laptop and Extegrity Exam4 software to take final exams. Exam4 software will run on Windows computers with Windows 2000 or Windows XP and on Apple Macintosh computers with OS X version 10.4 Tiger and above. Extegrity has stated that a version for Windows Vista will be available for Fall 2007 exams.
Please contact the College of Law Records Office (865-974-6790) for information concerning Exam4.
Hardware
Brand/Manufacturer
We cannot endorse a particular manufacturer, but any major brand, e.g., Toshiba, Dell, Gateway, Sony, IBM, Hewlett-Packard/Compaq, Apple, etc., is acceptable.
The University has contracts with several vendors, including Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard/Compaq, and IBM. Enrolled students can purchase from some of these contracts. Discounts vary and are not guaranteed to match or exceed discounts from mail order houses, direct sales, or discount electronics or computer stores. More information about purchasing from the University contracts can be found at personal purchases.
Laptop computers are also available at the University Center Computer Store. More information can be found at the UT Computer Store.
CPU
A 1.3 GHz or greater CPU with a Pentium M, Centrino, IntelDuo, Core Duo, Core2 Duo or Core Duo LV chipset is recommended.
In practice, most new laptops are equipped with a 1.5 Ghz Centrino or Pentium M processor (or greater).
RAM
1 GB of RAM (memory) is the recommended minimum for Windows XP and Macintosh computers. 2 GB of RAM is the recommended minimum for Windows Vista computers.
Hard Disk
An 80 GB disk drive is the recommended minimum for Windows XP and Macintosh computers. A larger disk drive is recommended for Windows Vista computers because Vista itself requires approximately 15 GB of disk space.
CD-ROM
Since most purchased software is now distributed on CDROM, a CD/R (readable) CD-ROM drive is the recommended minimum.
You may want to consider an upgrade to a CD/RW (readable and writable) CD-ROM drive, a combination CD/RW-DVR (CD readable and writable, DVD readable) drive, or a combination CD/RW-DVD/RW (CD readable and writable, DVD readable and writable) drive.
Wireless Network Adapter
With a wireless network adapter and appropriate software, you can access the Internet (currently free of charge) from any location within the College of Law and most other campus buildings.
Most new laptops have an imbedded wireless network adapter. For laptops without an imbedded wireless network adapter, you can purchase an add-in adapter from the University at significant savings. The cost is subsidized by the Technology Fee paid by each student. More information can be found at: How Do I Purchase a Wireless Card? Wireless network add-in adapters are also available from the Computer Store at Computer Store Prices.
Any wireless network adapter which supports the 802.11b, or greater, protocol standard is acceptable.
Modem
If you plan to remotely dial into a network, e.g., AOL, MSN, Juno, etc., a 56 KBPS modem is the recommended minimum.
If you prefer a faster remote network connection, ISDN, DSL, and cable modems are available if the appropriate service is installed in your area. Contact your Internet Service Provider for more information, availability, and pricing.
The University can serve as your Internet Service Provider. Details, options, and pricing can be found at Enhanced Remote Access.
SOFTWARE
Operating System Software
Microsoft Windows XP Professional (not the Home edition) is recommended because of its power, stability, and networking capabilities.
If only Windows Vista is offered by the laptop vendor, the Vista Business version is recommended. Please read the campus statement about Vista at the Office of Information Technology web site.
Wireless Network Software
Wireless network software should already be installed if your laptop has an imbedded wireless network adapter. If you purchase an add-in wireless network adapter from the University, free installation and configuration of the software is available from them. For more information, refer to Connecting to the Wireless Network.
Word Processing Software
Either Corel WordPerfect 11 (or newer) or Microsoft Word 2003 (or newer) is recommended. Either can be purchased individually or as a component in Corel WordPerfect Office or Microsoft Office application suites. All are available at a significant discount at the Computer Store. Further information is available at Computer Store Prices.