Choosing the right computer system is a very personal decision. Visit the Showcase to:
Our sales staff can offer helpful, "no-pressure" advice and expert knowledge of the U-M computing environment.
These are general recommendations:
Check to see if your school or college has specific requirements or recommendations.
These are minimum specifications:
If you are purchasing a new system, we encourage you to plan for the future
(in particular, by investing in a faster processor, more RAM and a larger drive).
Obtain as much RAM as you can.
A large high-capacity hard drive is recommended, as is a second internal or external hard drive.
More and more software is available only on DVDs. Buy or upgrade to a DVD optical drive with at least CD-write capability.
For wired connectivity, your computer must have a 10Base-T or faster Ethernet jack. Some computers, including the MacBook Air, may need an adapter or Network Interface Card (NIC). If you use a wire to connect to broadband–DSL or cable–at home, you're set.
Most laptops come with an internal wireless card. It should provide at a minimum the IEEE 802.11a/b/g protocols. Newer devices are also capable of the more robust 802.11n.
U-M offers a very secure campus wireless network called MWireless. To use it, your wireless device must be capable of WPA2 Enterprise security. If you are not certain about your device, visit the Wi-Fi Alliance and click on Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Products.
To use MWireless, you must configure your wireless device. The easiest way is to download the MWireless installer for your device at our Blue Disc website.
View a map of the many campus wireless locations.