University of Virginia Health System

Buying a Computer for Medical School
Updated April 8, 2008

• Letter from the Director of Educational Technology
• Is my Current Computer Adequate?
• What Computer Should I Buy?
• What Software Should I Buy?
• Where Should I Buy Computer Hardware and Software?

Letter from the Director of Educational Technology

Dear New Students and Parents:

The medical school curriculum is computerized to a large extent. For example, in your first term, the Cell and Tissue course has extensive Web-based resources, with one-third of the class being independent study using the course Web site. Many other courses such as Practice of Medicine, Neuroscience, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Microbiology also provide many study resources available only on the Web. During your clinical training you will learn to use extensive Web-based information resources, such as MEDLINE, MD Consult, and InfoRetriever to help you with the diagnosis and management of clinical patients.

The Health Sciences Library provides medical students, graduate students, and residents with a 70 station computer lab, open 100 hours per week, equipped with the latest multimedia technology and a broad selection of software. This state of the art facility has wired and wireless network access in study carrels and small group study rooms. We also provide computers and wireless networking in all of our classrooms and student study spaces.

In addition, all students in the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia are required to own a computer with a connection to the UVA network and the Internet. Most of our incoming students already have computers from their undergraduate years. If you plan on using your present computer, please make sure it meets the requirements in the "Is my Current Computer Adequate?" section below.

If you decide to buy a new computer, we recommend that you consider one of the  configurations described in Recommended Laptops for Medical Students. We have also included a list of the software that we recommend, use, and support. You'll get the best help from our support staff if you use this software.

The cost of a basic computer system with a printer is about $1200 - $2600. You should also budget at least $100 per year for Internet access. Computer purchases and Internet access fees can be included in your financial aid package. We hope that the enclosed information is useful to you in making any purchase decision.

Of course people need help in learning to use computers, networks and electronic information resources effectively. The University offers free classes in Introduction to Windows, Introduction to the Macintosh, Word, Excel, E-mail, and other subjects every semester. Consultants in the computing labs are also available by telephone and E-mail to help answer specific questions.

Sincerely,
John Jackson, M.Ed.
Director of Educational Technology
jjackson@virginia.edu

[Top]

Is My Current Computer Adequate?

Generally computers need to be replaced every three to four years. If your computer is four years old now you should consider purchasing a new one for medical school. The configuration below is a bare minimum that would be usable for a year or two. If your system does not meet these specifications you should consider a new laptop.

Bare Minimum: 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 or Pentium M, or 1.3 GHz G4, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB hard drive, 1024x768 resolution or higher monitor, CD-ROM, 801.11b WiFi, Ethernet, 56K modem, ink jet printer.

What Computer Should I Buy?
Recommended Solutions for Medical Students

The computer industry rolls out new models and features constantly. Choosing which computer and printer to buy is complicated, but to make it easier, we’ve listed some specifications and models at the end of this section for a "most portable" and a "larger screen" configuration.

Either Windows-compatible or Apple Macintosh computers are equally appropriate for use at the School of Medicine. There are a few rare types of software that will not run on the Macintosh, but we provide nearly all course resources on the Web, which is platform neutral. New Apple computers allow you to purchase and install Windows if you choose.

We recommend the purchase of a laptop computer, rather than a desktop. A laptop computer is a very handy for taking notes in class, carrying to the library or taking to a remote clerkship location.

Make sure any laptop you buy includes a modem, Ethernet jack, and 802.11 b/g/n wireless connectivity. Students living in private housing can access all the University's network based services such as E-mail, Web, and reference systems remotely. Most medical students find using a high speed Cable Modem or DSL connection is a necessity, since multimedia files download much more quickly than with a modem. A DSL or Cable Modem connection will cost $25-$50 per month, but it can be used at the same time by several roommates.

If you buy the "Most Portable" model of either the Windows compatible or Macintosh system, you will get a computer that is small and easy to carry, and more than adequate for word processing, E-mail, Web browsing, and other common tasks. If you choose the "Large Screen" models you will get a little larger screen size and possibly a slightly faster processor, but with increased weight and size. We list Dell and Lenovo models below as examples of the Windows configurations. These are some of the best models available according to comparison reviews, and local sales and service is available at Cavalier Computers.

If you are buying a new computer, you will probably want to purchase a printer to make your work easier. Basic color inkjet printers are available for less than $100.

Recommended Hardware Configurations:

Larger Screen PC: Dell Latitude D830, Latitude D630, XPS M1530: Intel Core Duo 2.2 GHz; 3 GB RAM; 160 GB hard drive; DVD+/-RW drive; 802.11 b/g wireless; 10/100/1000 Ethernet; 14.1”-15.4" WXGA+ display; Integrated Speakers; Carrying Case; 5 lbs; Price range: $1100-$1600.

Most Portable PC: Dell XPS M1330: 13.3" screen, 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo, 3 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive, DVD/CD-RW, 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n wireless. Weight about 4.3 lbs. Price range: $1200-$1900

Larger Screen Mac: MacBook Pro: 15.4" widescreen display; 2.4 GHz Intel Core2 Duo; 2 GB RAM; 200 GB hard drive; FireWire 400, 800 and USB 2.0 ports, Slot-loading double-layer SuperDrive (8x DVD+/-RW); AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g/n), and 10/100/1000 Ethernet; Mac OS X Tiger, Weight Weight: 5.4 lbs. Price range: from $1999.

Most Portable Mac: MacBook 13.3" widescreen display, 2.4 GHz Intel Core2 Duo; 2 GB RAM; 160 GB hard drive, Firewire 400 and USB 2.0 ports, Slot-loading double-layer Superdrive (8x DVD+/-RW), Airport Extreme (802.11b/g), 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Mac OS X Tiger, weight 5.0 lbs. Price range: from $1300.

Windows XP or Vista?
Many laptops  can be purchased with either Windows XP or the newer Windows Vista. Which is best?  Since Vista has only recently been released, some software does not yet work with it and there are still some kinks in the early versions. But over the life of your new computer Vista will become the dominant operating system and XP will be phased out. UVa supports both versions of Windows and either will do the job. We do not recommend upgrading a computer made before 2007 to Vista.

What about a PDA?

All medical students buy a PDA while in medical school, but it is not a requirement until the core clerkship year. Typically students load their PDA with reference software that is helpful while seeing patients in the third and fourth years of medical school. Many students also find them useful for their calendar, contact management, to-do lists and note taking capabilities. We currently recommend that clerkship students buy Palm OS based PDAs, but that could change by the time the entering class reaches the core clerkships. For more information see our PDA resource site or our PDA requirements page.

[Top]

Which software should I buy?

The following table highlights most of the standard, supported software usable in the UVA Health System Library. Many times new computers come packaged with all the software you will need. But if you need to purchase software we'll be able to help you better if you choose one of the packages below.

¹Software is available free of charge to all UVA students, faculty, and staff. ITC's Software Download site.

Do I have to buy Microsoft Office?

No. Courses many time distribute documents in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files, but you can use free alternatives to MS Office. The best option for Windows is OpenOffice, a open source free Office suite alternative that works well. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation package, database, and drawing package, and it reads and writes Word and PowerPoint files with few problems.

NeoOffice for Mac is based on Open Office, and has been modified to work well with Mac OS X. It offers a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation package, database and drawing package, and reads and writes Word and PowerPoint files with few problems.

These applications are not officially supported, so you should be comfortable working with unique software should you like to avoid purchasing MS Office. If you do buy Microsoft Office, be sure to purchase it from an educational reseller like Cavalier Computers for they offer a deep educational discount not available in most stores.

OpenOffice
NeoOffice

[Top]  

Where should I buy computer hardware and software?

There are many places to get good deals on computer equipment and software including mail order, direct from the manufacturers, computer "superstores," and local retail outlets. When checking prices, be sure to contact Cavalier Computers, a division of the University of Virginia Bookstore, which offers educational discounts that meet or beat many prices available elsewhere. Cavalier Computers is located across the street from the medical center and offers the added convenience of packages designed specifically for medical students, plus local service. You can contact Cavalier Computers' medical branch at (434) 924-4600 or visit their site at http://www.cavcomp.virginia.edu to get information on their packages and order on-line.

[Top]