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CON Laptop Requirement

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Dell Latitude E6420 CON Dell Laptop 

Operating System and Processor

  • Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
  • Intel Core i5-2540M (2.60GHz, 3MB Cache L3 Cache, 1333MHz FSB)

 Memory and Drives

  • 4.0GB, DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 2 DIMM
  • 250GB Hard Drive, 7200RPM
  • DVD+/-RW

Graphics

  • nVidia NVS 4200M 512MB DDR3 discrete graphics
  • 14.0 inch HD+(1600x900) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit LCD screen

Networking

  • Intel WiFi Link 6205 (802.11 A/G/N) Wireless Card
  • Integrated Gigabit Network Connection

Accessories

  • 6-Cell (60WH) Primary Lithium Ion Battery
  • Integrated webcam with single digital microphone

Warranty and Support

  • 3 year ProSupport next business day Onsite Service with accidental damage protection 

 

 

 

 

Why do I have to buy a Laptop?

The College of Nursing requires students to purchase a laptop that has been certified as meeting all necessary requirements to complete College of Nursing course work. You will use your laptop extensively for taking exams, accessing course content in the Blackboard Learning Management System, accessing online e-books and publisher resources (drug manuals, case studies, etc.), viewing course and textbook video resources, listening to audio podcasts, participating in Turning Point student response sessions, and submitting online clinical paperwork. Therefore, your laptop is a significant part of the College of Nursing educational experience.

 

Do I have to buy the TAMHSC laptop?

No, while you are required to have a Laptop PC, however you are not required to purchase a laptop from TAMHSC laptop website. Though it is highly recommended, we realize that some students may already have their own laptop or plan on purchasing from a different manufacturer than we recommend. Please note that a non-recommended laptops will not receive the benefits of full support offered by TAMHSC-OIT. We do have a list of minimum specifications, that are encouraged for any laptop you decide to purchase.

 

Minimum Recommendations

  • Windows 7 Home Premium or better, 32 or 64 bit
  • Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better
  • Minimum 4GB of Memory
  • 120Gb of Hard Disk Space
  • Screen size 12" or larger
  • Backup Device: CD/DVD RW or External USB Hard Drive
  • Ethernet Cable Cat-5 or greater
  • Wireless Adapter:  Wireless-G or better

 

Additional Recommendations

  • Extra Power Adapter
  • USB/Wireless Mouse
  • Minimum 3-year Warranty with Accidental Protection
  • Carrying Case

 

What benefits will I receive when I order my TAMHSC laptop?

All laptops recommended by OIT are robust, business class models designed for the type of computing that will be required. Those choosing to purchase an TAMHSC recommended laptop will receive top level hardware and software support. If you have a problem with your computer, bring it to us! We are working closely with the manufacturer to get your warrantied replacement parts so you don't have to hassle with Tech Support. Any problem you have with your tablet after purchase will be streamlined by our department to get you back up and running as soon as possible. This is not always the case with those manufacturers or models we have not recommended. If you do not purchase the recommended OIT laptop you will receive no support. You will be responsible for your own repairs and software management.

Some of the benefits you will receive when you purchase the TAMHSC required laptop are:

  • Virus/Malware Detection & Removal
  • Software Installation/Configuration/Troubleshooting
  • 3 year Extended Warranty with HP and Accidental Damage Protection
  • Hardware Troubleshooting/Configuration/Warranty Replacements 
  • System Optimization (Disk Cleanup & Defragmentation)

 

Accidental Protection for 3 years

Your TAMHSC-recommended laptop PC will come with a standard 3-year warranty with Accidental Protection for YOUR protection. We have added this so you are protected for while you are attending the College of Nursing.

We work closely with Dell to get your warrantied replacement parts so you don't have to hassle with tech support. Any problem you have with your laptop after purchase will be streamlined by our department to get you back up and running as soon as possible.

 

Ordering Information

  • Laptop can be ordered year round, please allow at least two weeks for delivery.  NO REFUNDS or RETURNS.  http://www.dell.com/tamhsc
  • Once the laptop arrives, OIT will configure the system and load all the necessary software you will need for connectivity and classwork.  When your laptop is ready, OIT will notify you.

 

 

 

 

In the last year, all of the issues listed below are some of the ACTUAL problems that CON students encountered and requested assistance to solve because they were not able to fix themselves.  You should be prepared to fix these on your own or be prepared to take your laptop to a retail support provider to diagnose your computer. 

Average cost:  $75/diagnosis plus repair costs. 
Average time:  Varies, but your laptop will be unavailable to you for several days to sometimes over a week. You will need a contingency plan for these times.
 
Wireless Connection

•    Setting up your wireless internet connection using instructions provided by OIT
•    Troubleshooting your wireless connection when it doesn't work
•    Having an Ethernet cord as a backup in case you cannot get wireless to work

Audio Files
•    Issues with audio (.mp3, QuickTime, Windows Media Player)
•    Issues with video (Flash, QuickTime, Windows Media Player)

Windows
•    Not an administrator of my own computer
•    Single applications closes/crashes
•    Program crashes and reboots Windows
•    Slow performance
•    Blue Screen of Death

Windows Automatic Updates
•    Didn’t know how to change these settings to download or notify rather than automatically updating
•    Couldn’t change the settings (not an administrator)

Browsers (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari)
•    Compatibility with Typhon
•    Compatibility with Blackboard
•    Problems with downloading Windows Media Video files from the Tandberg Content Management Server
•    Downloading Office 2007 files – converted into zip files

Viruses
•    Cleaning your computer if infected
•    Setting your anti-virus software to preventative scan your system
•    Running a full system scan because you think you may have a virus slowing down your computer

Spyware, Malware
•    Cleaning your computer if infected
•    Setting your anti-spyware/malware software to preventative scan of your system
•    Knowing how to run an on demand scan because you think your computer may be infected
•    Disabling spyware for online exams (if required)

Email services
•    Reading webmail in different browsers (Firefox, IE, etc.)
•    How to forward email to iPhone, etc.
•    Password management
•    Archiving messages

Mac Users
•    Installing and using Boot Camp to run Windows on your Mac.

 


Purchasing Software

As an TAMHSC student, the following software is available to you at drastically reduced prices (and in some cases FREE). Simply login to the TAMU Sell [https://software.tamu.edu] with your TAMHSC account and see what you are eligible to purchase.

  • Microsoft Office 2010 - $20.00!
  • Adobe Acrobat 9 Professional - $115.00!
  • EndNote 14 - FREE!
  • McAfee Anti-Virus - FREE!
  • Plus More!

Once ordered, our staff will gladly assist you with the installation.


For any questions, please contact IT Support at it-support@tamhsc.edu.