The Computer Requirement for 2008

The Law School requires that new students have a laptop computer. We'll guide your selection if you don't have one yet, and will describe the financial aid implications.

Why Is a Laptop Computer Required?

There are several good reasons.

Many courses use information technology not only for research but also for teaching and classroom work.
Many exams are offered in electronic form. Because only one student can take exams on a particular laptop in a year, it makes sense that you have your own.
The law building, like much of Indiana University's Bloomington campus, is equipped with wireless networking. Laptops are best able to make use of wireless technology.

Our Configuration Suggestions

If you want to buy a new computer before coming to campus, we suggest a laptop conforming to the specifications in "option one" (below). A laptop with those specifications will be suitable not only for Windows XP Professional, but also for Windows Vista, released in early 2007. If you already own a laptop or want to buy a computer meeting minimum specifications, review "option two" and "option three:" option two is a middle-of-the-road configuration, option three a minimum acceptable configuration.

Option One

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Discrete graphics processing units (GPU) w/ 256MB
Hard disk: 80GB (5400 RPM) SATA drive or better
Optical Disk: DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive
Memory (RAM): 2GB or more
Operating system: Windows Vista
Screen specifications: at least 1024 x 768 pixel resolution
Integrated 802.11 (b, g, or n)
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Integrated 56kb modem (optional)

Option Two

Processor: 1.6 - 2.0 GHz 1 MB cache
Hard disk: 60GB (5400 RPM) or more
Optical Disk: DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive
Memory (RAM): 1 GB or more
Operating system: Windows XP Professional
Screen specifications: at least 1024 x 768 pixel resolution
Integrated 802.11 wireless (b, g, or n)
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Integrated 56kb modem (optional)

Option Three

Processor: Pentium M class 1.2 - 1.6 GHz 512 KB cache
Hard disk: 40 GB (5400RPM) or more
Optical Disk: CD-RW Drive
Memory (RAM): 512 MB
Operating system: Windows XP Professional
Screen specifications: at least 1024 x 768 pixel resolution
Integrated 802.11 (b, g, or n) wireless
Integrated 10/100MB Ethernet
Integrated 56kb modem (optional)

Our recommendations reflect our belief that most people are best served by a medium sized, powerful laptop. But some students will prefer a "desktop replacement" laptop with a larger screen, and others will prefer a smaller "ultra portable" laptop. Generally, larger form-factor laptops offer more performance, while powerful ultra portable laptops are the most expensive.

We do not endorse any specific operating system. However, in order to take your exams on your laptop you must have either a Windows PC or an Apple Macintosh capable of running the Windows operating system.

If you buy a new computer using Windows, you may select either Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista as your operating system. The School of Law has no preference between these two operating systems. (Windows XP Home Edition has limitations and is not supported at Indiana University.) If you already have a computer not equipped with Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista, you may buy either operating system from the Computer Connection in the Indiana Memorial Union for $10.00.

Apple's Macintosh operating system is supported by Indiana University Information Technology Services, and works with the Law School's wireless and wired Ethernet networks. But the Macintosh platform is not directly supported by the School of Law.

Students equipped with the new generation of Apple Macintosh laptops are now able to take examinations at the School of Law on those computers. Previously, the special software for examinations could only be installed on Windows PCs. The software vendor has authorized the installation and use of the examination application on the Macbook and Macbook Pro. The examination software cannot be used on older model Macs. It can only be used on the new generation models based on the Intel Core Duo processor.

In order to utilize the examination software on these Macs, the student must install Boot Camp (available free from Apple) and Windows XP (available on CD-ROM for $10 at the IMU Computer Store). We have tested this configuration during actual exam periods and found that it works well.

Many of our students use the Mac as their primary laptop and encounter no problems.

Linux and similar/derivative operating systems are supported by Indiana University's University Information Technology Services, but are not supported directly by the School of Law.

Financial Aid Implications of Buying a Computer

The cost of a computer is not included in your direct costs.

You may request that the cost of a new computer (up to $2,500)—even one you buy before arriving on campus—be added to your financial aid "budget" (increasing the amount you may borrow). But you may find that you do not need an adjustment since our standard law school budget already includes $1,912 per month for living. Because most students can live comfortably on substantially less, there is often sufficient funding already in the budget to for a computer.

If you do decide to request an increased budget to include computer costs, Jim Schutter, our Director of Financial Aid, will soon share information about that process via future emails. Or you may visit him during the academic year for more details.