Home Computer Recommendations and Information
It is definitely possible to get through med school without owning a computer.
I can honestly say, though, that I don't know anyone who is doing so.
What's available at school?
Tupper Hall has probably about 30 computers designated for student use.
It is almost always possible to find and use one whenever necessary except during exam periods
(although the dozen or so in the library are generally sufficient for email checking until the exam
is over). You are also given the option of having a printing/copying account on campus.
If you choose to do so, you pay $5/month for 1-100 pages and $.05/page after that. Although
it seems like extortion, I do recommend getting a printing account, even if you have a printer
at home. If you don't use your account for any given month, you don't have to pay anything,
so it's a great emergency printing reserve. So what should you do? Well, if you already have
a computer, that's great. If you have a printer, even better! You might consider getting a cheap
printer if you don't have one, as you will most definitely use it.
What about accessing the internet?
Also plan on having an internet
connection if you have a computer. Most classes have online resources, but how often do you
really want to study on campus? Here are your options on internet connections:
- Modem: This is the baseline. UC-Davis has a dial-in number you can use, as well as a software
ensemble you can install. I can't say much else because I have...
- DSL: Awesome. Wonderful. So worth the cost. High speed internet access without tying up your
phone line, a must if you have roommates. And, as a bonus, most of Davis is wired!
- Cable modems: Also high speed access that doesn't tie up your phone line, however I
don't know much about costs or availability.
What to look for when buying a computer
If you are thinking of buying a computer, here are some things to keep in mind.
First of all, laptops are great investments. You can take them anywhere when you are
studying. Tupper Hall has a wireless network, so you can study with internet access anywhere on
the med school campus (pretty much). Also, the library study rooms are wired for Ethernet connections,
so you can
take your computer there too. I'm not sure if the wireless network extends into the depths of the library,
but you can always do the old fashioned thing and just plug it into the wall.
Laptops are also useful if you are a coffee shop studier.
You may or may not have an internet connection, but you can still use anything you've downloaded
(Recent news reports show that Starbucks is adding internet access, and Mishka's in Davis has a wireless network,
as are a few cafes in Sacramento).
Laptops are
great, but let's be realistic; they're also expensive. Desktop machines are definitely
acceptable. The age-old Mac v. Windows argument is not one I'm going to address here.
Everyone has his/her own personal preference. You can find tech support for both, software
for both, and arguments for both. (If you're one of those rare Linux people, email me
immediately!)
Modified by Carrie Horn from the 2006 Disorientation Manual article by one Carrie Horn.