PREPAREDNESS FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS Updated for Class of 2021 STUDENT LAPTOP REQUIREMENTS

 All business administration majors should purchase a laptop computer.

 The Business Administration department strongly suggests that students purchase a Windows PC as opposed to an Apple. There are some software applications in various classes that will only run on a computer running Windows and student with an Apple computer may have to use a campus computer lab to complete assignments which use this software.

 Suggested Models: HP Spectre X360, HP ENVY, HP Elite or EliteBook, Thinkpad X Series, Lenovo Yoga, Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Microsoft Surface Book LAPTOP TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS  Processor: i5 or higher processor (or AMD equivalent)  Memory: at least 8 GB of physical memory (RAM)  Hard Disk Space: recommended 200+ GB of disk space (solid state preferred)  Enormously large hard disks are not important as all students receive 1 TB (1,024 GB) of cloud storage for free.  Screen Size: 13”, 15”, or 17”  Remember that smaller are lighter.  :  PC:  Apple: Mac OS Version 10.10 (Yosemite) or greater  Software/Applications: latest version of Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus, and a capable web browser (latest version of Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome), and an anti-virus protection program (Symantec recommended).  IMPORTANT: All of the software above (Microsoft Office, anti-virus, etc. will be provided to students as part of their tuition. Please do not buy this software.  Please note that some classes may require specialty software. See your professor for details on other application requirements. OTHER LAPTOP REQUIREMENTS

 All laptops should be capable of connecting to a wireless network.

 All laptops should be capable of holding a charge that will last at least 4 hours. Consider this when purchasing your laptop. There are very few electrical outlets available in most classrooms, so you must be able to rely on your battery. If your laptop runs out of power in the middle of an in-class exam or activity, it may be impossible for the professor to allow you to continue with the assignment.

 We realize that some of these requirements may be very technical. If you are unsure which laptop to purchase, or if you are not sure as to whether your current laptop is sufficient for the program, contact Prof Michael Salé ([email protected]) or ask our IT Service Desk ([email protected]). OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

 It is very important that you run through the wireless registration process before attending classes with your new laptop. In order to do this, turn on your wireless receiver on your laptop and select the “hillspot setup” access point from the list of wireless hot spots (you must do this on campus).  Open a web browser and follow the instructions to register your computer on the network.  After the registration is complete, you should be able to use the “hillspot” access point from now on.  To test this, try to visit an internal and an external website from on campus (e.g. https://myhill.stonehill.edu and http://www.cnn.com)  If you have trouble accessing sites or your computer continues to reconnect you to the “hillspot setup” access point, you should visit the IT Service Desk as soon as possible.  We STRONGLY discourage utilizing the “guest” access point as data that travels across this connection is not fully secured. TROUBLESHOOTING

 Stonehill College strives to provide top notch support to all users on campus. Should you have questions about technology requirements, problems with connecting to campus networks, or require assistance with software, please visit Stonehill’s knowledgebase (link below). Most problems can be easily resolved by following the instructions in Stonehill’s technology knowledgebase.

 Knowledgebase:  http://www.stonehill.edu/offices-services/it/support/knowledge-base/

 Still having trouble? Email, call, or visit the IT Service Desk.  Email: [email protected]  Phone: 508.565.4357 (HELP)  Location: Duffy Academic Center 025 (basement) UPDATES AND CHANGES

 The laptop requirement for the Business Program may change as technology and course requirements evolve.

 For the latest information, visit: http://www.stonehill.edu/offices-services/it/services/computing-devices- and-printing/computer-support-for-students/student-laptop- recommendations/