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Buying a Computer

You will most likely find life at Olin without your own computer to be a difficult one. Nearly every aspect of your academic program will have an online or digital component to it. While a student computer lab is located in Simon Hall, the demand for computers far exceeds the supply. We strongly encourage all students to have their own computer when they arrive at Olin.

These recommendations are for all Olin students! Although only full-time MBA program are required to have a laptop, these systems are recommended and available to all Olin students.

We recommend Dell Latitude laptops. we are updating the laptop bundle for Fall and will post the links for purchases shortly.

Olin Computer Recommendations/Requirements

We strongly encourage students to acquire a laptop computer rather than a desktop for use at Olin. Laptop units now rival desktops in performance while still being competitive on price. With a laptop you can be productive no matter where you are, connecting to the campus network from Simon Hall, the Knight Center, and many other locations on campus, including the South Forty for students in residence halls. Wireless networking is available in selected parts of Simon Hall. Please see the Wireless Network page for more information.

Your system should at least meet or exceed the minimum specifications. The recommended specifications are provided as a guideline.

MinimumRecommended
Intel Pentium MIntel Core 2 Duo or AMD Turion
1 GB RAM2 GB RAM
40 GB hard drive160 GB SATA hard drive or more
CD-RW driveDVD+RW/-RW drive (DVD & CD writer)
56k Modemsame
10/100 Ethernet10/100/1000 Ethernet
802.11b Wireless Ethernet802.11a/b/g Wireless Ethernet
Windows XP (Any version: Home, Media Center, or Pro)Windows Vista (Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate)
Microsoft Office 2007

Do NOT buy with your laptop! It is less expensive at the campus bookstore!		Microsoft Office 2007

Do NOT buy with your laptop! It is less expensive at the campus bookstore!
AntiVirus Software (Norton, McAfee, Avast!, etc.)Same
3 Year warranty with onsite servicesame
 USB Flash Drive (1 GB or larger)

Purchasing Your Computer

We strongly recommend that you purchase your computer through our direct purchase program with Dell Computer. We have arranged special pricing through Dell for their Latitude D630 laptop. The system is ready to order as configured, or you can use it as a starting point and adjust the configuration to meet your specific requirements.

Access the Dell Premier web site for these systems, as well as access to discounted pricing on all Dell laptop and desktop systems. The recommended system can be purchased by clicking the appropriate links on the Dell site. Please note that you will need your Olin logon and password to access the Dell site. Logons are generally assigned after your admissions deposit is received.

Do NOT buy your copy of Office with your laptop unless you need to have Office before you arrive on campus. You can buy Office for $89.95 at the campus bookstore with a valid student ID. On a typical Dell laptop, you will save ~$100 by buying it at the bookstore! To purchase this software, go to the customer service desk in the book store and ask for it there. If you do not have your student ID yet, bring some communication from the school that indicates that you are a member of the incoming class.

Full-time MBA students should have their system with them when they arrive on campus. Make sure you order your system early!

Olin has standardized on Dell systems for our internal use and have found them to be high quality systems at competitive prices. Students who do purchase the recommended system will receive limited support from the Olin Information Services group. Information Service is not able to provide support for other models or systems from other manufacturers.

CD/DVD Writer

We recommend that you purchase a DVD±RW optical drive with your system. With this type of drive, you will be able to both read and write CDs (capacity of up to 700 MB) and DVDs (up to 4.7 GB).

Modem

Olin provides limited dial-up access to the campus network through a modem bank. Although this service will probably be eliminated in the next couple years, it is still an option. Our recommendation is not to rely on dial-up for your Internet connectivity and instead use a broadband service (such as cable, DSL, or cellular broadband).

Network

Olin's network infrastructure is able to support 100BaseT connections. Having the network card (NIC) integrated into the system saves your PC Card slots for other devices, although a PC Card NIC will work as well.

Wireless access points are available in many locations in Simon Hall and at the Knight Center. A wireless network card that conforms to the 802.11g standard will let you take advantage of this capability. You may want to consider combination cards that support the 802.11a high speed wireless standards. Please see the Wireless Network page for more information. Even though a wireless card can be convenient, it should not be your only network option.

Warranty

Computers do fail at times, and laptops are more susceptible due to their portability. it is important to have a warranty that covers as much of your time here at Olin. Onsite service is important as well, as shipping it off for repairs will leave you without a system for several days at best.

Dell offers an option called Complete Care with their warranty. Dell's CompleteCare provides repair or replacement of your Latitude notebook for any damage that is caused by accidents or other incidents beyond your reasonable control. CompleteCare helps protect your notebook against the rough and tumble world of mobile computing. The combination of CompleteCare and Dell's rugged, high quality notebooks can provide outstanding investment protection. This service is a supplement to Dell's Three Year Limited Warranty/Service Plan and covers non-intentional, accidental damage for three years. Damage caused by intentional acts, fire, theft, or loss is not covered under CompleteCare.

USB Flash Drive

Because floppy drives are rapidly disappearing from computers, including our new computer lab systems, you might want to get a USB flash drive (aka thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, memory key. USB flash drives:

Several online merchants (Buy.com, Amazon, etc.) as well as bricks and mortar retailers (CompUSA, Best Buy, etc.) carry these devices, and they're reasonably priced.

Questions or Comments?

If you have any questions about these configurations, purchasing a computer, or have other questions, please contact Scott Ladewig, Manager of Networking & Operations via email (ladewig@wustl.edu) or phone (314-935-8395).