Student Buying Guide

Get hooked up with the hardware and software you need.

Information Technology Services (ITS) is here to help you make important decisions about what technology products can help you succeed in your academic career.

If you have questions about basics and peripherals, use this guide to find out about:

• Choosing between a PC or Mac
• Buying a Desktop or Laptop
• Staying Within Your Budget
• Selecting the Peripherals You Need

Choosing Between a PC or Mac

The choice between a PC or a Mac traditionally depends on what type of work you expect to accomplish. More data-driven students (business, economics, sciences) lean towards the PC, while students pursuing more creative endeavors (artists, designers, film makers, etc.) tend to go with Macintosh. However, the gap between what you can do with a PC or Mac is shrinking and most software titles are available for both platforms. If you are unsure which is best for you, try out both Macs and PCs in the campus computer labs. You can also check with your academic advisor or department to find out what they recommend.

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Buying a Desktop or Laptop

When deciding whether to buy a desktop or a laptop, there are a number of "pros and cons” to consider. Ultimately, your decision will be based on personal preference when it comes to cost, mobility and ease-of-use.

Computer type:	Pros:	Cons:
Desktop: A stationary system made up of separate parts—mouse, keyboard, monitor.	Less expensive Larger monitor Larger keyboard Fixed location makes them less likely to be stolen	Larger components take up more space. Limited mobility – must work in one location. Less convenient for quick use.
Laptop: A portable, compact system that can be used on-the-go. Take it to class, the dorm or even outdoors.	Compact Portable – take anywhere. Durable More opportunities to use campus wireless options. Can also be connected to monitors or keyboards. Use to show presentations in class or campus meetings.	More expensive Smaller monitor Smaller keyboard Requires power source or charged battery. Mobility makes them more likely to be stolen, lost or damaged.

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Staying Within Your Budget

The Campus Computer Store, centrally-located on campus in the Flawn Academic Center (FAC), is your one-stop shopping center for all your computer needs. Students, faculty and staff can take advantage of special, reduced academic pricing. This pricing often translates into hundreds of dollars less than retail and can help you cut the cost of settling in to your new life on campus. Parents and grandparents can also take advantage of the special pricing to help you get what you need.

Find the hottest brands in desktop PCs, laptops, printers, software, mobile devices, accessories and much more. Use the Computing Checklist to be sure you have everything you need.

Anything you can purchase at Best Buy or Circuit City can be found or ordered through the Campus Computer Store—with the added benefit of deep student discounts.

Accepted methods of payment include cash, check, and credit cards.

Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday
Phone: 512-475-6550
Fax: 512-232-4696
E-mail: utsales@computerstore.utexas.edu

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Selecting the Peripherals You Need

What technology products do most students, faculty and staff at the university use for their work? This list will give you an idea of some of the peripherals you might need or find useful as you settle in to your new academic career.

Note: Because you receive an academic discount at the Campus Computer Store, links are provided to some of their product pages.

Product	Benefit
BevoWare	Secure your computer with no cost anti-virus and security software downloads provided by the university. You can also download Web browsers and e-mail programs, media and file viewers, utilities such as FTP software and Aladin StuffIt Expander as well as patches and updates. Software downloaded through BevoWare is fully supported by the ITS Help Desk.
Software	Check with your college or department to see if there are recommendations or special requirements before you buy. For example, you may need special software if you are studying film, an engineering student or a Computer Science major. Academic discounts are available on many of the software titles you may need.
Monitor	Many students like to increase productivity by using a second monitor. You can surf the net on one and write a term paper on the other. Student pricing is available on some of the most popular brands.
Ethernet Cable	You will need an ethernet cable to connect to the Internet via Resnet or with your DSL or cable modem.
Laptop Cable Lock	Protect your laptop by taking the extra step to secure it from theft with a lock.
Printer	Owning your own printer can make life easier. If you live off-campus or like to work late at night when the labs are closed, you can print documents whenever you need them. You may be able to save money by printing drafts of your reports and work at home, and printing the final version in the labs on campus. You can receive student pricing on many popular printers, and ink cartridges as well
USB Cable	Be sure you have a USB Cable. In fact, you'll probably need more than one since many peripherals now require them.
USB Hub	Out of USB connections? A USB hub allows you to connect multiple devices to one USB port. Most standard devices now use USB connections.
USB Flash Memory Drive	Back-up and transport your data with the convenience of a flash drive. They aren't very expensive and they are easy to use. Plug the drive into any lab computer and have instant access to your files. Video files can be large. If you are studying digital media, consider a flash drive with enough storage to meet your needs. When you are collaborating on a presentation, large files can clog your e-mail. Use a flash drive to bring your pictures and graphs with you as you build the presentation together. Keep in mind WebSpace, which is available for no cost, is another good option for sharing files and storing them online.
Power Strip/Surge Protector	Many off-campus houses are old and don't have adequate outlets for all your technology. Expand your options and safeguard against power surge with a power strip.

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