Library Services: IT Department

Technology Information for First Year Students

The University of Montana School of Law
Computer Recommendations, Requirements and Support Policies

Buying a computer: Recommendations, Comparisons, and Sources
Buying software: What you need and where to get it
Buying accessories: Supplement your package with the essentials

Recommended Laptop Web page

Three Essential Recommendations:  

• Buy a PC, NOT an APPLE
• ExamSoft (software that allows students to take essay exams on their laptop computers) does not support Apple computers.
• Apple computers do not allow for easy connections to the law school network for printing and data storage.
• Our IT staff cannot provide support for Apple computers.
• Buy Windows XP Pro, NOT XP Home
• XP Home lacks network components necessary for maintaining connections to law school network resources (printer and data storage). You will not be happy with the network connectivity that XP Home offers you here.
• Buy a laptop recommended by the UM School of Law – We support the laptops we recommend in-house. This offers several advantages:
• Students never need to call a foreign support line.
• The law school IT staff makes the determination as to whether replacement parts are required.
• Repairs are usually completed within 24 hours (no need to ship your computer elsewhere for repair).
• All law school recommended computers carry a 3 year on-site, next day service warranty which includes damage caused by the user (insurance). Batteries are usually warranted for one year, but all other repairs under such warranties are at no cost so long as you are in law school (3 years from date of purchase).

Background:  

• Laptop computers are not required for law students, but all members of the class of 2008 own one and took their end of semester essay exams on one. We strongly encourage law students to utilize this most important tool.
• Laptop computers are particularly useful in this law school because they can be used for taking notes in class, preparing assignments, doing research at home and at school, for taking exams and for accessing Blackboard for on-line course materials on reserve including streaming audio and video lectures.
• The law school technical staff offers full support for DELL D620 laptop computers and TOSHIBA Tecra M??? configured in a way that is consistent with minimums specified when ordering from this page. We offer only limited support for other models of Windows XP Professional computers.
• Computer hardware technology presently doubles in functionality about every six months. Consequently, computer equipment can become outdated (unsupported and difficult to use) after about three years.
• Computer viruses that can completely disable individual computers and even entire networks now circulate freely. Therefore continuously updated Norton Anti-Virus software (free to UM students) is required for all computers that connect to the University network. University of Montana network access is necessary in order to print from personal computers at the law school, to access shared storage on law school servers, and for  wireless or LAN access to Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis or other Internet sites from campus.
• The School of Law is currently studying how to deal with the rapidly rising cost of providing free printing to students. Incoming students should expect to be asked to pay some portion of the cost of individual printing.
• Users should be aware that University of Montana computers are subject to the security, monitoring and appropriate-use policies specified by the Montana Board of Regents. These policies are located at: http://www.montana.edu/wochelp/borpol/bor1300/bor1300.htm. Unauthorized use is a violation of 45-6-311, MCA and Montana University System policies. By continuing to use University of Montana systems, users are deemed to have indicated their awareness of and consent to these terms and conditions of use.
• CONTACT: LawIT@Umontana.Edu for further information concerning computer use at the UM School of Law or feel free to call James Cramer during business hours at extension 5584.