Laptop Information
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Laptops can be connected to the school's network throughout the school. Network ports use orange jacks. Network connection allows internet access, e-mail, and access to personal network drives.
Laptops must maintain current virus protection. This can be downloaded through my.american.edu.
Laptop Support Policy
WCL supports problematic connections between laptop computers and the Law School network. Within this framework, the computer lab helpdesk staff support a core set of hardware and software relating to network connectivity for computers meeting ALL of our requirements.
Please note: WCL student computer lab helpdesk staff support connectivity only. We do not provide support for applications, operating systems, hardware or other issues. Our helpdesk support technicians will make every effort to support connectivity for any English version of Windows Vista/XP Professional/2000 Professional. For further technical assistance, contact your notebook vendor.
- Supported Laptop Computers (Go to Exams Policies for exam software and hardware information)
Any Windows compatible PC such as IBM, Dell, Compaq, Toshiba or Sony
- Supported Laptop Adapters
Any make or model such as Linksys, D-Link or Cisco
- Supported Wireless Adapters
Any make or model that supports 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networking standard. Manufacturers include Linksys, D-Link, Cisco, IBM, Intel.
- Supported Operating Systems (English Versions Only)
Windows XP Professional (strongly recommended), Windows Vista and Windows 2000 Professional
- Unsupported Operating Systems (Including any non-English OS Version)
Windows XP Home edition, Windows 95/98/ME, Linux, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, DOS, Mac OS (any version) or any Windows Server Edition.
NOTE FOR MAC USERS: WCL uses ExamSoft. ExamSoft does not offer a Macintosh client. If you have an Intel-based Mac, with BootCamp and Windows installed, you can use your Mac. WCL will not provide this software or provide technical support.
Laptop Purchasing
WCL encourages students to obtain a laptop computer as computer labs can become very busy during peak hours, and owning your own computer will allow you to avoid these crowded conditions.
The WCL Office of Technology welcomes any type of student-owned laptop computer with a Windows operating system. Macs are NOT supported by the law school, although the Help Desk will assist Mac users to access the WCL network. However, it is important to keep the following in mind when making your decision to purchase a laptop for use in the Law School.
- All computers are able to connect with the Internet through our network.
- WCL is a Novell Network environment and therefore only certain laptops and operating systems are able to connect to the Novell portion of the network.
- The Novell portion of the network allows students to print on the WCL printers and allows access to student G:\ drives. (Each student is given personal storage space on the WCL network located in their G:\ drive.)
Specification Recommendations
| CPU | 1.5 gHz or faster |
| Memory (RAM) | 512 Megabytes or more |
| Hard Drive (HDD) | 40 Gigabytes or more |
| Battery | 3 hours or more |
| Wired network adapter | Any make or model such as Intel, 3Com or IBM |
| Wireless network adapter | 802.11g compliant card such as Linksys, D-Link or Cisco |
| Modem | Any make or model |
| Operating System | Windows XP Professional / Windows Vista |
| Word Processing Software | Microsoft Office 2003 |
NOTE: AU has aggreements with several manufactures which allow AU students special offers. To see a list of current vendors, log onto my.american.edu, and click on "Technology".