University Laptop Initiative

See here  

  

Business Management Department Laptop Requirements

 

Notebook PCs or MACs with wireless capability will be required for all students enrolled in the Supply Chain Management Emphasis, the Finance Emphasis and the Integrated Business Core (IBC).  Each student will be responsible for obtaining access to a Notebook PC.

 

MACs do not work efficiently or effectively in the wireless environment on campus and therefore it is highly recommended that students purchase a PC laptop.

 

Key Reasons Why:

 

1. The need for technological understanding continues to increase among the different areas of business.
2. The number of computer labs has not increased to meet the demand for the 4 year program.  We essentially have the same number of labs we did 5 years ago.
3. The number of PCs in a lab sets the limit for class size vs. what may be best for the learning environment.

 

Benefits:

• Learning Enhanced

         a.      Real time assessment and feedback (Bb)

         b.      Improved technological literacy

         c.      Improved Network / Internet Access. Maintain an integrated vs. the traditional stand    

                   alone approach.

 

• Places students on equal footing with students who have Notebook PCs.  (approx. 40% of Jr. level IBC students currently own a Notebook PC)

 

• Possibility of lower textbook costs.  (approx. 70% of surveyed students are interested or very interested in e-books if they can save money on textbooks)

 

• Less reliance on computer labs.

 

Notebook Specifications (minimum):

 

Pentinum 3,4, or M Processor,  30 gig HD,  802.11 b/g wireless capability, extra battery,

 

Microsoft Office Pro-- (Vista capable). Norton Anti-virus--  BYU-I (Both from the University Store)

 

Mac computers have not worked very well in the past with the wireless environment required for the class.  However, with the new dual-core technology the situation seems to have improved.

 

Student Situation-Issues:

 

What can be done for students who, 1)  want to be part of the emphasis or IBC, 2) do not own or have access to a Notebook PC and, 3) are unable to afford the additional expense?

 

Solutions--Option:

 

Sign up to borrow a limited number of department-owned Notebook PCs. These can be checked out during class time only.

 

Purchasing Options

 

You can check at the Dell and HP websites for their latest promotions.

http://www.dell.com/ or http://www.hp.com/

 

There are also other places which offer some very competitive pricing.   One web site which keeps track of the latest deals is http://www.slickdeals.net/    

 

The university, which purchases hundreds of PCs each year, has negotiated with Dell and HP to offer notebooks at a good price.  The Notebook PCs are from their business line vs. the consumer line.  The website to view these computers is found at the http://www.byuibookstore.com/  under technology department. 

 

If you need assistance with the HP or the Dell computer and have questions regarding leasing, etc., please contact the University Store at 496-2191.