Student Purchases

Computer Recommendations for the Class of 2012

From the Faculty Committee On Academic Technology

Congratulations! As you prepare for College life it is important to remember that Franklin & Marshall is committed to the integration of computing into all aspects of the curriculum. Using a computer will be part of your daily routine whether it is for academic endeavors or just keeping in touch with friends and family.

For the 2008-09 academic year, Franklin & Marshall College recommends personal ownership of a Macintosh computer and usage of a standard suite of application software (Microsoft Office and Norton Anti-Virus). The standard suite of software can be downloaded from a secure campus web site for both Macintosh and Windows platforms.

This would be a good time for you as a student to review your obligations and responsibilities as a user of the College's information infrastructure as well as understanding what services we will provide to you.

Responsible Computing Policy
Personal Computer Support Policy

Students are expected to use the warranty support services of the manufacturer that produced their system. Information Technology Services manages a Help Desk that students may consult on a variety of technology-related subjects including network connectivity, virus protection, standard applications, and general troubleshooting. The College maintains a relationship with third party local vendors who are available, for a fee, to perform tasks beyond the mission of the Help Desk.

While Franklin & Marshall provides an integrated and supportive computing environment, it is the responsibility of students to:

• maintain their computer,
• install vendor supplied upgrades/patches to their operating system and applications,
• keep their virus protection definitions up-to-date,
• and backup critical data.

The Faculty Committee on Academic Technology has made computer recommendations for the Class of 2012. The following link will provide you with a means to purchase a recommended system direct from Apple computer and have the system shipped to your home.