Guidelines for Purchasing a Student Computer

If you are a student at Mississippi State University considering a computer purchase, we encourage you to read this page carefully.

Some departments and colleges require or recommend specific hardware and/or software that may vary from the university baseline specifications. If you are a student in one of these academic units, you should follow these computer guidelines:

• School of Accountancy
  Requirements for students upper-level and graduate students.
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  Requirements match the requirements for MSU except for Landscape Architecture students and Human Sciences students. Please see departmental websites.
• College of Architecture
  Requirements for Architecture Students.

• College of Engineering Computer Initiative
  Requirements for Engineering Students.
• College of Veterinary Medicine (PDF)
  Requirements for Vet. Med. Students.
• School of Human Sciences (PDF)
  Requirements for Human Sciences Students.
  
  

If you are a student in some other department or college, please follow these minimum specifications for desktop and laptop computers for MSU students:

Mimimum Specifications for Desktop and Laptop Computers

Brand

As with most other major purchases, it is good advice to choose a reputable brand from a reputable source. The Gartner Group, an independent provider of research and analysis on information technology, lists quality manufacturers of Windows compatible computers. The Gartner list contains brands such as Dell, IBM, Compaq, Gateway and Hewlett-Packard. Although not on the Gartner list, Howard Computers, based in Laurel, Mississippi, is also worthy of consideration. If you plan on purchasing an Apple computer, the Gartner list does not apply since there is only one manufacturer.

Extended Warranty

Many computer manufacturers provide extended warranties that cover problems beyond the normal warranty period. ITS strongly recommends that you purchase a three-year onsite warranty along with your new computer. Details of these warranties will vary depending on the manufacturer.

Official Student Email Policy

Every student is given an official MSU email address that the University used for electronic communication with students. Your MSU student email address is netid@msstate.edu. The NetID is a unique identifier for accessing a variety of information technology resources. NetIDs are displayed on MSU ID cards (since April 2001), when you are logged into the University Information System and on class rosters (for Faculty only). In order to access your university email account, you must go to MyBanner and configure your email environment. Until this is done, you will not be able to read official university email correspondence.

 

 

Network Access

There are several methods for students to access the MSU campus network and the Internet. They include:

• Ethernet ports in all major campus buildings including residence halls.
• A growing number of wireless network access points that initially includes public areas such as Perry Cafeteria, Mitchell Memorial Library, and the Colvard Student Union.
• Dial-up modem access for students living off campus.
  
  

  For more information on connecting to the MSU network, please see the following fact sheets that have been provided by ITS.
  MSU Dial-up Connectivity for:
  
  Windows XP Setup
  MAC OS X Setup
  

Virus Protection

ITS has purchased a site-wide software license agreement for Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus Corporate Edition (SAV). This license agreement provides MSU Students, Faculty, and Staff with the right to use this software on both University-owned and personally-owned desktop Macintosh and Windows computers.

Student Use Policy

All students have the responsibility to use the University computing and network resources in an effective, efficient, ethical and lawful manner. Use of these resources must be consistant with all applicable university policies and state and federal laws. Students should be aware of all university policies pertaining to students including OP 91.117, "Student Use of Computing Resources."