Technology Requirements

Wireless Technology

The Wollongong Innovation Campus and Sydney campus have wireless connectivity for students to connect to the UOW network via their laptops. Students can access & search the UOW web sites, SOLS, library and internet access via the proxy server.

Most laptops come with a wireless network card and a modem already built-in. If your laptop does not have a wireless card, click here for further information. Note - a wireless network card will not provide internet access from off campus to the UOW network.

Student Laptop Ownership

Student laptop ownership will allow the Sydney Business School to pave the way for innovations in instruction that incorporates web-based applications & electronic work-group initiatives. Providing access to computer technology in the classroom can encourage active rather than passive learning.

SBS students can exploit these benefits in a new learning environment & obtain skills essential for the business world.

A laptop is a thinker's mobile toolbox - ready to use anywhere and anytime. Whether at University or at home, students will have the resources to:

access and continue to work on their projects
use the Internet for research and global communication
improve their writing skills with editing features and word processors
add interactive multimedia presentations into their projects
do electronic simulation
gather and process data efficiently and effectively
improve their thinking skills by analyzing data
employ interactive modes of learning

Recommended Computer Standards

Thinking about purchasing a computer for home use?
The information below is a guide to assist in selecting a suitable computer. The type of computer required will depend on the UOW course you are undertaking and the software required – it is recommended that you consult with the relevant Faculty for any special hardware/software requirements before purchasing a computer.

Minimum Desktop Specifications

Operating System	Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Speed	2.0 GHz
RAM	2GB RAM (Memory)
Hard Drive	80GB
CD RW or DVD RW Drive	RW drive is recommended as a backup device for your course work, should your computer ever fail, be damaged or stolen.
Networking Card	Allow access to Internet via a Internet Service Provider (ISP) eg: Bigpond,
USB Slots	Attach other devices such as printers, memory sticks, USB modems
Other Accessories	17” Flat Panel Monitor 1024 x 768 resolution or higher 128 Mb Graphics card Keyboard Mouse
Optional Accessories	Speakers, Bluetooth Module
Extended Warranty & Insurance	Recommend purchasing extended support warranty & accidental damage & theft Insurance
Microsoft Office 2007 *	Until October 2008, Microsoft are offering all University Students the chance to purchase Office 2007 Ultimate editions for $75. More information can be found at www.uow.edu.au/its/notcheating

*Note: The University of Wollongong has not yet moved to MS Office 2007. Files created in Office 2007 format (.docx) are not readable by earlier versions of Microsoft Office (such as Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office 2000) unless they are saved in a format suitable for earlier versions (.doc).

While the infrastructure to support Microsoft Office 2007 is being developed, students using the new version are advised to save their documents in the Office 2003 format.

Read instructions for saving in Office 2003 format.

Minimum Laptop Specifications

Operating System	Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Speed	2.0GHz (Pentium M, Centrino or Celeron - Note: Pentium M & Centrino have a longer battery life)
RAM	2GB
Graphics Card	128 Mb
Hard Drive	80GB
CD RW or DVD RW Drive	RW drive is recommended as a backup device for your course work, should your computer ever fail, be damaged or stolen.
PCI 802.11/a/b/g Wireless Card	Provide UOW network access from within UOW campuses.
Networking Card/Modem	Via an ISP, provides network access to UOW from off campus.
USB Slots	Attach other devices such as printers, memory sticks
Extended Warranty & Insurance	Recommend purchasing extended support warranty & accidental damage & theft Insurance.

Consider purchasing a service contract for technical support of your computer. An extended 2 year warranty is money well worth spending. With the added 2 year service contract, your computer will be covered for a total of 3 years.

Always buy the most you can afford and keep in mind the weight when considering a laptop, as you will be carrying the laptop, along with your textbooks.

Many laptops now come with built-in modems or modem PC cards. You will need to have a modem to connect to the Internet/UOW via an ISP from home; You should check with your ISP prior to purchasing your computer to understand exactly what you need to purchase to connect your computer to the internet.

While on campus, you will need a wireless card to connect to the UOW network/Internet.

Standard Software Requirements

Email Client (e.g. Microsoft Outlook)
Internet/Web Browser (e.g. Internet Explorer)
Anti Virus Protection (protects your computer from viruses)
Word Processing (e.g. Microsoft Office)
Spreadsheet (e.g. Microsoft Office)
PDF Viewer (Adobe Reader)