This site is meant to help current and future students with technology requirements and recommendations for their educational experience at Lancaster General College. The College has a number of computing resources available in our technology labs, however many students will prefer to work on their own technology outside of the classroom. The goal is to assist students and parents in making decisions about hardware and software which will help students excel throughout their educational career with Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we've received. If you have additional questions please
click here.
Q. I already have a computer; do I need to buy a new one?
A. When deciding whether to purchase a new computer or keep using a current computer you will need to weigh the pros and cons of each choice. For example, does your existing computer meet the minimum recommended requirements for the College? The table below represents our recommended requirements for laptop and desktop computers:
Laptop Minimum Recommended Requirements
| Processor |
2.0 GHz |
|
Memory (RAM) |
1GB |
| Hard Drive Space |
50GB |
| Media Drive |
CD/DVD ROM |
| Sound |
Built in audio/speakers |
| Video RAM |
64MB |
| Connectivity/Extras |
Wireless B/G, 10/100 Base T Ethernet, Internet Access* |
| Operating System |
Microsoft Windows XP SP3 or later version |
| Web Browser |
Internet Explorer 7 or later version, Firefox 2.0 or later version |
| Additional Software |
Microsoft Office 2007, Adobe Reader, Antivirus software |
Desktop Minimum Recommended Requirements
| Processor |
2.0 GHz |
|
Memory (RAM) |
1GB |
| Hard Drive Space |
50GB |
| Media Drive |
CD/DVD ROM |
| Sound |
Built in audio/speakers |
| Video RAM |
64MB |
| Connectivity/Extras |
10/100 Base T Ethernet, Internet Access* |
| Operating System |
Microsoft Windows XP SP3 or later version |
| Web Browser |
Internet Explorer 7 or later version, Firefox 2.0 or later version |
| Additional Software |
Microsoft Office 2007, Adobe Reader, Antivirus software |
*A high speed internet connection (ie. Cable, DSL, FIOS, Satellite) is highly recommended.
You will also need to determine how often you will need to access your current computer and whether it will be available. For example, many courses have blended time between learning in the classroom and online assignments through our course management system (Blackboard). This means there are many times when you will need access to an internet connected computer outside of your regular classroom time. If you currently share your existing computer with other people it is probably a good idea to purchase your own desktop or laptop for your College career.
(See the
Dell Discounts section below for information on how to receive a student discount through Dell.)
Q. Should I purchase a laptop or desktop computer?
A. This question really comes down to your personal preference. Some questions to look at during the decision process are:
1. Are you okay with working on the smaller screen a laptop provides? If the answer is no you do not need to automatically purchase a desktop. A "docking station" can be purchased for your laptop allowing you to use a larger size external monitor and keyboard at home but still allow you to remove your laptop and take it with you when needed.
2. Do you want to be able to take your computer to class with you and do class work during breaks? The College provides free wireless internet access to personal electronic equipment throughout the main college building. There are student lounge areas where students can relax between classes. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a laptop is the overall weight of the device. A larger screen may seem like a great idea until you have to carry it around all day.
Q. Should I purchase an Apple Macintosh or Microsoft Windows computer?
A. Lancaster General is predominantly a Microsoft customer. Almost all of the computers on campus are running Microsoft Windows XP. You can use an Apple laptop to get onto the wireless network within the college building however there is one limitation. The College remote access software (ability to connect to the Lancaster General network and run clinical applications from home) relies on an Internet Explorer plug in to work correctly and has had mixed results with Macintosh computers. You will be able to connect to Blackboard and our student information system with an Apple computer. If you want to use an Apple computer you may want to look into "Boot Camp" or other software which allows you to dual boot in order to also run Windows on your Mac.
Q. What additional software and hardware do I need to buy and where can I get it?
A. Required Software:
Microsoft Office: As a student of Lancaster General College you will need to use the Microsoft Office format for most of your school work. The college has standardized on Microsoft Office 2007. Microsoft is offering a significant discount for current students which can be purchased by
clicking here.
Adobe Acrobat Reader: There are a number of documents and handouts which will be in a .PDF format. These documents will require the free Adobe Acrobat reader program installed in order to read them. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded and installed by
clicking here.
Antivirus Software: If you plan on connecting your computer to the internet, then antivirus software is a must. There are many different vendors who provide software such as McAffee and Norton which can be purchased online or at local electronics stores. You can also go with a free antivirus program which can be downloaded online such as AVG and Avast. The vendor you wish to go with is your choice, just make sure you have antivirus software on your computer!
Optional Hardware:
Printer: You may want to print out your assignments, syllabus, etc. at home. This will require a printer connected to your personal computer or wireless network. You can also print from the computer lab at Lancaster General College. Files can be transferred from home through the use of a USB flash drive (see below).
USB Flash Drive: A USB flash drive allows you to quickly transport files from one computer to another. For example, you can copy your assignments to your USB flash drive and bring them to the college to print. You can also use a flash drive to back up critical files on your computer in case your computer crashes.
Surge Protector: This is a necessity when purchasing a desktop computer for your home. It will protect your sensitive electronic equipment from being fried by a spike in electricity caused by an electrical storm or other disturbance.
Uninterruptible Power Supply: For even more peace of mind you can purchase an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This device has a built in battery which will continue to provide power to your computer and monitor in a case where you lose electricity in your home. It will provide power long enough for you to save any documents you are working on and shut the computer down gracefully. Most UPS devices also have built in surge protectors.
Wireless Router: If you purchase a laptop and want to be able to connect to the internet from any room in your home, a wireless router is what you need. You can connect your Cable/DSL modem into the router and broadcast your internet connection wirelessly. Just make sure you enable wireless encryption so your neighbors cannot share your internet connection.
Q. I do not know anything about computers and am not sure where to start. Can you help?
A. If you are not sure what you need, the college has worked with Dell to put together a hardware/software package customized for our students. This package contains sufficient hardware and software to ensure you can use this equipment throughout your entire time here at Lancaster General College. Included is a two year warranty on the hardware, two years worth of antivirus updates, and Microsoft Office 2007. You can view the pre-packaged computer systems by
clicking here.
(*NOTE: You may also want to purchase some of the optional hardware above. Also, the Dell laptop package does not come with a carrying case.)
Dell Discounts
Through a partnership with Dell, Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences is able to provide our students with a discount program when purchasing new technology. Use the following link to receive a student discount on Dell products and services:
www.dell.com/lgc
Additional Student Discounts
There are many other student discount programs available such as: