Personal computers
Take your pick of brands, bring it to BU, plug in
If you have a personal computer or plan to buy one, almost any brand or model will be fine. Connecting to BU's high speed network is simply a matter of plugging in an Ethernet line to a connection in your dorm room.
Do you need a computer? Not necessarily. There are large computer labs throughout campus, many open seven days a week, with printers and full network service. More than 800 machines are available for student use, 200 of which are in Andruss Library.
Upside of laptops: space-saving in dorms and portable on campus. Downside of laptops: keeping them secure and forgetting it somewhere on campus. Remember, you can use any computer lab machine to access the network for e-mail, records, research.
Learn more...
... about services offered to students through Residential Computing
Before you buy:
- Does it have an Ethernet card? (Most do)?
- Can you burn CDs or DVDs? (Most do; this is a helpful feature for backing up files)?
- Does it have Microsoft Office installed (Most do; the university uses Microsoft products throughout its network, so it's handy to have the same software)?
- Does it have a fully licensed (not a trial period) anti-virus application installed? If not, you can obtain a licensed Macafee application free when you arrive.
Suggested length of Ethernet cable: 12 feet. Some rooms require less.
Safety Tip
To help protect all valuables, borrow an engravers tool from University Police to mark personal property, usually with a driver's license number. Valuables and contact information can then be recorded with the police to help prevent theft. As always, though, it's best to protect valuables by always locking room doors when absent.
Wireless connections: available in all academic buildings, Kehr Union, Andruss Library and Warren Student Services for laptops.
When you arrive: simply plug in to the network and follow instructions on screen. Before you can access the Internet (web, instant messaging):
- You will register your computer online with Residential Computing
- The network will check to see if your operating system is current and whether there is a fully-licensed anti-virus application on your machine. If not, you can download necessary upgrades and a free licensed anti-virus application.
- Your computer will then be released to have full network access. This helps protect you and the network from viruses.
Residence halls do not come with network printers. You may wish to bring your own or print from lab machines.
Network gamers: You can bring an Xbox or Playstation and use the network, but you will have to register it just like a regular computer.