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Whether you own a computer or not, all students can take advantage of hundreds of computers at Campus Computing Sites. For students living in University Housing, a computing site is located in each of the residence halls.
Both Windows and Macs are used throughout the University. Some academic programs have a platform requirement or preference, so ask your academic advisor what types of computers and software are used in your field of study. Aside from that, your decision should be based on price, functionality, and overall lifestyle.
Most students choose notebooks because they are easy to transport, and wireless networking opportunities increase the places where you can work online. If you like the freedom of a notebook, go with it. However, be aware that notebooks are more easily damaged and stolen, while desktop computers generally have bigger screens and often cost less. Choose what you think will work best for you.
The University offers a year-round computer consulting and sales program through the
Visit the Showcase during Orientation. The Showcase has locations on the ground floor of the Michigan Union and on the main concourse of Pierpont Commons.
Showcase staff will answer questions about making smart choices, even if you decide to purchase your system elsewhere. If you are comparison shopping, consider any additional costs, such as extended warranties. The Showcase bundles an extended warranty in the price of the computers it sells.
When you purchase a computer, be sure you understand what the manufacturer's warranty covers and for how long. Not all warranties are equal (for example, some cover accidental damage and some do not).
As a rule, the
No matter where you purchase your computer, understand that you are buying the warranty from the manufacturer, not from the Showcase or other retailer. The manufacturer (Apple, Dell, IBM/Lenovo, etc.) sets the terms of the warranty.
For questions on service or repair, see the Computer Resources section.
There can be advantages either way. If you buy a computer before you move to campus, you'll have more time to become familiar with it. However, by waiting until after you arrive, you can see what other students are using and learn more about campus resources and computing in your field of study.
Some vendors offer back-to-school specials starting in the summer, although good deals are often available at other times of the year also. Check the
Adaptive Technology Computing Services at
We recommend Microsoft Office as a standard set of software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Enrolled students can purchase Microsoft Office through the
We recommend checking the Showcase's prices before purchasing elsewhere. If you own or purchase other software, be sure to bring the discs with you in case you need to reinstall the software.
ITCS provides no charge, downloadable anti-virus and preconfigured SSH and SFTP software. Visit our Blue Disc website to download these products.
If you need to use additional standard or specialized software,
Computing is changing so quickly that we expect you'll see several new technologies evolve over the course of your academic career. Be sure to check with your school or college for any specific recommendations.
The following specs should support your needs for the coming year. Most new computers exceed these minimums. Having or getting additional RAM, storage, and speed is generally a good idea.
Your Basic Computing Package (BCP) includes your uniqname (login ID), UMICH Kerberos password, e-mail,
Your
All residence hall rooms are wired with Ethernet for Internet access. University Housing charges an annual fee—automatically billed to your student account—for the network connection, Computing Sites' services, and educational programs.
You will need an Ethernet
Some residence halls offer wireless networking in common areas. In-room wireless is available in certain halls.
There are various resources on or near campus:
You have several options available:
Yes. The University does not provide insurance for student belongings that are lost, stolen, or damaged, so getting insurance is an excellent idea. Your parents may have a policy that provides coverage for college students in on-campus housing as part of a standard policy. If not, they may be able to add this coverage at an additional cost. Other options include renters' insurance, which is quite reasonable when compared to the cost of a replacement computer. For added safety, a security kit that locks down computer components is a good investment.
Yes. Check the map on the
If you need assistance setting up your computer, stop by the Computer Showcase.
No, but many students like the convenience of owning a printer. All students can print on University laser printers located in ResComp Sites, Campus Computing Sites, and some University Library locations.
As a convenience, you also can use mPrint, which allows you to print remotely to any Campus Computing Sites' printer.
A printing allocation (renewed each term) is included in your Basic Computing Package. All color printing and additional black-and-white printing exceeding your allocation at ResComp and Campus Computing Sites will be charged directly to your student account. You can check online to see how much of your allotment is left.
No, although most students come to campus with a cell phone. Most students living in the residence halls are provided with a room telephone. Optional voicemail is available for a small fee on a per-room basis.
For more info, visit Housing's Telephone Service Quick Guide
Yes. To protect your computer and the campus networks, the University provides a couple of options. We recommend that you take advantage of one of these options as soon as you set up your computer.
1)
2) During Fall Move-In and Welcome Week, ResComp and ITCS offer free Inoculation Stations. The I-Stations are centralized support locations where you can follow self-guided instructions to patch your operating system and install anti-virus software. For I-Station dates, times, and locations, visit the ResComp website.
Computer safety is a major concern to the University community. We strongly recommend that you visit the
The
For more info, visit UM Emergency Alert.
Log in to the mFile website or click on the "My IFS Home" icon on any Campus Computing Sites' computer. Use this secure space to store and share files and to publish your personal website.
You can download software from the Blue Disc website (Fugu or Fetch for Macs, or SSH Secure Shell for Windows) to access your IFS home directory. Additional space beyond the standard allocation is available for a nominal fee.
Certain forms of file sharing are legal, while others are not. It is possible to share files and not know you're doing so. The penalties for illegally sharing files can be costly.
As a service to students, the University has designed a service called BAYU (Be Aware You're Uploading), which notifies users on the residence halls' networks that they might be uploading. The system does not look at the content being uploaded, nor does it look at the content on the computer's hard drive. Instead, it sends an e-mail with a link to educational information and University resources to the person whose computer is uploading.
Yes, backing up your files regularly is important. You should back up often and check your backups to make sure they are reliable. The University supplies
Your e-mail address is automatically set to use
For more info on dealing with spam, visit the
You will need to provide your parents with a Friend Account and authorize them to access specific services, such as University billing statements and financial aid data.
If you own a computer, we encourage you to learn as much as possible about using and maintaining your system and application software. Some students take advantage of community classes before coming to
Once you get to campus, there is a variety of information available to students through ResComp, ITCS, University Library, and the