College of Business Program Laptop Recommendations for Windows Users (please see link in right-column below for Macintosh specs)

Applies to:

• Undergraduate Majors
• Full-time MBA
• MACC
• Aerospace MBA
• Executive MBA
• Professional MBA

Links:

Macintosh Computer Specifications

Additional Information

Printable Version of These Requirements

NOTE: For the Physician Executive MBA program requirements see http://www.pemba.utk.edu/admissions/notebook.html

Minimum Windows Specifications (please see the Other Helpful Information section at the bottom of this page for additional guidelines for purchasing or upgrading your computer.)

Processor Speed

For low-end speed, choose Intel Duo Core, Core 2 Duo, AMD, Athelon II core Duo--2 GHz or higher

For mid-range speed, choose Intel i3

For solid power & increased speed, chosoe i5

With the amount of RAM recommended, you should purchase a 64-bit processor.  A 32-bit version of Office is available for students & other Office products should be purchsed in the 32-bit version.   Other software packages can be purchased in a 64-bit version.

Memory (RAM)

4GB

Hard Drive

250 GB

Network Capability

Wireless (Internal or External)  --  “N” is required
Wired Lan (Internal or External)

CD-ROM

DVD burner/reader

Operating System

Any new system coming with Windows 7 in the following versions is acceptable:

Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate

Warranty Maintenance

Purchase the accidental or complete care protection to protect your laptop from any type of damage.

Batteries

Must have one battery

Video RAM

Must be capable of 1024 x 768 resolution

Web Browser

Internet Explorer 9, FireFox 4, or Safari 5.0

Microsoft Office

Office 2010 Professional Plus Student Select.    We recommend that you purchase this from the UC Computer Store to obtain highly discounted student pricing (see the Additional Information section below for contact information for the Computer Store)

Other Helpful Information when purchasing a computer:

1. The specifications given here are minimum recommendations. Any upgrades that you can afford at the time of purchase will only increase the likelihood of keeping your computer throughout your entire program at UT.
2. When working with your vendor make sure to get the restore CD/DVD and keep it with you at school. If your brand of computer does not come with a restore disk and has a “make your own” option on setup, DO NOT skip this process. Always keep your restore CD/DVD and your Office CDs with you so that they can be accessed quickly if a restore is required. Restore DVDs are an option on the Dell online store. Please be sure to choose this option if you order your computer from Dell online.
3. Back up your work. Purchase a USB external hard drive, Flash drive or burn your files to CD/DVD periodically. This will save you from last minute disasters that have been experienced by previous UT students – lost papers and even lost thesis chapters because they did not back up their work.

Additional Information

We strongly recommend that you purchase your hardware and software from the university Bookstore Technology Center (click on a vendor name on the right to get pricing). They know our program requirements, and their prices are competitive. Big box electronics stores are notorious for selling students the wrong operating system.

Students in the MBA Programs for Working Professionals: If you plan on using a company-issued laptop you will need to have your laptop prepared based upon the setup guide for your program. If you do not have administrator privileges you will need to talk with your IT department & ask them to prepare it for you.

If you anticipate doing schoolwork at your office, firewalls and blocked ports may be an issue. Please check with your IT department to see if the following ports are blocked. You can test the ports by trying to access them through the Internet.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the College of Business Technology Integration Services via email cbahelp@utk.edu.