Students at UVa

Computing Information for New Undergraduates

Choose the Right Computer for You

A laptop computer is essential for your academic career at the University. You may opt to buy a computer or bring one from home, but it must meet the minimum standards outlined below, and you may also want to keep in mind these considerations when choosing a computer, as well.

Minimum University Standards

At an absolute minimum, your computer should have:

  • Operating System:
    • Windows XP SP3 (Professional preferred) at a minimum, but Vista SP1 is recommended (32-bit, not 64-bit)
      Note: If you bring a computer with XP, you should expect to upgrade to Vista or Windows 7 before graduation.
    • Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
      Note: If you bring a computer with Tiger, you should expect to upgrade to Leopard before graduation.
  • Processor Speed: Equivalent to an Intel Core Duo (1.5 GHz)
  • RAM: 2 GB (Gigabytes)
  • Hard Disk Space: 150 GB (Gigabytes) of free hard disk space (after all programs are loaded)
  • Networking Capability:
    • Wireless networking (802.11g or n)
    • 10/100 mbps Ethernet card
  • CD/DVD Drive
  • Accessories:
    • A power surge protector
    • An Ethernet cable (even if you will primarily use wireless, it will be needed as a backup method of Internet access, or for very large file transfers, from time to time)
    • Back-up storage mechanism (such as an external hard drive)

Considerations When Choosing a Computer

Things to keep in mind when you’re trying to decide where to purchase a computer, or choosing between brands, models, or features:

  • Your Likely Major or Field of Study
    • Schools or fields of study may have specific requirements and recommendations.
      • Be sure to check these before you make a final decision on your computer make and model.
  • Warranty Coverage
    • Make sure to get a service plan in case hardware repairs are needed.
      • When comparing plans, consider length of time (2, 3, or 4 years) as well as location of service. Do you mind packing up and shipping a computer away for repairs if needed? Are on-site or nearby repair options available with your service plan?
  • Portability
    • You need to be prepared to carry your laptop with you around Grounds.
      • Keep a laptop’s weight in mind when choosing among models. Try to balance features and horsepower with portability when making your decision. (If you’re concerned that lighter-weight notebooks lack the screen width you need, you may want to consider buying an external monitor for those times when you need a larger screen.)
  • Storage
    • Plan on a method to back up your files. You will thank yourself later.
      • UVa provides 2 options for free online file storage of your academic documents.
      • You should also strongly consider bringing another backup storage mechanism such as an external hard drive in order to back up large photo, music, and/or video libraries. These are fairly inexpensive, especially compared to the cost of replacing all your files!
      • Once you’ve figured out how you will perform backups, make sure you have a strategy, too. All the external hard drive space and free online storage in the world won’t help you if you don’t actually take the time to use them!
  • Price
    • Don’t spend too much on a computer with lots of software pre-installed on it beyond the operating system.

Public Computing Spaces

  • Computing Labs
    • A few public computing labs around Grounds offer access to specialized academic software packages you might need.
    • You can also print in the labs using your own laptop or the lab computers for just 8 cents per page, using a pre-paid deposit through your Cavalier Advantage account.
  • Collaboration Spaces
    • Throughout Grounds there are collaboration spaces for you to bring your laptop and collaborate with peers on projects and research. These areas include features such as comfortable chairs, wireless and wired Internet access, multiple power outlets, and some lend out other computing accessories to enhance your collaborations.

About ITC Services & Accounts

ITC provides the password-protected NetBadge service, which protects many University systems and resources, as well as Internet access, a UVa email account, online file storage, tech support, and access to free and low-cost software.

Setting Your Permanent Password

IMPORTANT: Before you can use UVa’s encrypted wireless network or access many University resources behind NetBadge, you MUST set your permanent password.

Although you have been logging into NetBadge for several months now, you have been using a temporary applicant password to do so. Going forward, you will need to set your permanent NetBadge password, which you will use from now on to log into many University systems as a UVa student. To do this:

While you are at UVa for Summer Orientation, you will participate in in-person identity proofing, where you will receive:

If you lose this PassPhrase card and/or fail to set up your personal security questions and permanent password: You will have to go through in-person identity proofing again on Grounds in the fall, before you may access anything else.

Internet Access

  • On-Grounds Wired: Every student residence hall room has a network outlet for a wired Ethernet connection to the Internet for each person in the room. Even if you’ll primarily use wireless, you will want an Ethernet cable as a backup from time to time.
  • On-Grounds Wireless: Wireless access to the Web is provided in all McCormick and Alderman Road first-year residence halls, in the libraries, on the Lawn, and in most classrooms. But as with cell phones, there may be a few dead spots.
  • Off-Grounds Access: While you’ll be primarily accessing UVa services from on Grounds, occasionally you may need to access some restricted UVa services from off-Grounds.

Your UVa Email Account

Your University email account will be provided by one of the University’s two student email service providers—either UVa Gmail or UVa Microsoft Live@edu. Find out how to activate access to your UVa email account for the first time.

  • How to check your UVa email: Go to www.mail.virginia.edu and log in.
  • Your UVa email address: Your email address is your UVa computing ID, followed by @virginia.edu (e.g., mst3k@virginia.edu). If you would like an email address that’s easier to read, write, and remember, you may also request an email alias.

Online File Storage

ITC provides you access to 2 free online services to back up important academic files in case your computer crashes, reducing the need for thumb drives and other portable storage devices, since files stored on these services are accessible from anywhere:

  • UVaCollab is the online collaboration and learning environment used by professors for course management at UVa. It is also used by many members of the UVa community for online file storage and collaboration among student clubs, organizations, committees, and project groups. You may upload files to your My Workspace area and then access them from anywhere via the Web.
  • Home Directory Service enables you to create your files in one place and later print them in another, and even to publish your own page on the Internet, using its easy access to personal Web space.

Tech Support

You can get free help with software provided by ITC or recommended for use with ITC services, regardless of where you bought your computer.

  • Self-Help: Try searching ITC’s website for instructions or assistance with your issue.
  • By Phone: Contact the ITC Help Desk by calling 4-HELP (434-924-HELP).
  • Peer-to-Peer Assistance: Ask your Computing Advisor (CA), a fellow first-year student in your residence hall who is trained to offer assistance with computing questions.
    • If you will be a first-year student living in University housing, and would enjoy helping other students while working flexible hours, consider ITC Student Employment for yourself!

Free & Low-Cost Software

  • Free Software: ITC provides some free software—including an antivirus subscription—to students, downloadable from Software Central before or after you arrive on Grounds in the fall.
  • Software for Just $10: Yes, you really can get Microsoft software such as Microsoft Office for the very low cost of just $10—a significant savings from the full-priced software, or even the educational discount pricing. This is possible through UVa’s Campus Agreement with Microsoft.
    • What’s covered:
      • Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise Edition for Windows;
      • Office 2008 for the Mac; and/or
      • Windows Vista (to upgrade from Windows XP to Vista, or to run Windows on a Mac).
    • How to take advantage:
      • Buy a computer without Microsoft Office pre-installed; and/or, wait to upgrade from Windows XP to Vista; and/or wait to buy a copy of Windows to run on your Mac.
      • Then take your University ID card to Cavalier Computers in the UVa Bookstore anytime to buy your CD for just $10.
  • Low-Cost Software: For other software titles, Cavalier Computers offers deep educational discounts for students.

About Cable Television & Telephones

ITC provides telephone, voicemail, and cable TV services in the residence halls. Also, some information about mobile phone service in Charlottesville is provided below.

Cable TV

You’ll have to coordinate sign-up and payment for cable TV with your roommate, as each residence hall room contains only one hookup. Pricing last year was $16.50/month; this year’s cost will likely be slightly higher.

Telephones & PhoneMail

One telephone is installed in each residence hall room, and the cost of local telephone calls is included in the Housing fee. (Long-distance service is an additional charge and requires a PIN; see below for more information). The telephone lines installed in University residence halls support digital telephone instruments and are not compatible with standard telephones, answering machines, modems, and fax equipment.

Residence hall telephones are equipped with PhoneMail, a password-protected voice message mailbox shared between roommates.

Long-Distance PINs

With a PIN, you can use any landline phone in the University system to make long-distance calls, and you pay only for minutes used. There’s no fee to subscribe. You may sign up for one if you desire.

Mobile Phones & Devices

You may have questions about whether your current cell phone and/or mobile device will continue to work well for you once you arrive on Grounds.

In general, we tell students that cell phone service is sometimes spotty on Grounds, but is always improving, and varies from provider to provider. Different phone models with a single provider also vary in their ability to pick up signals in some areas. You may want to compare towers and coverage, roaming charges, and store locations when you’re making a decision.

If you are unsure what service is best for you, the best course of action is probably to wait until you have arrived on Grounds, bring your current cell phone and/or mobile device with you, and evaluate then.

© 2009 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.

The information contained on the University of Virginia’s Department of Information Technology and Communication (ITC) website is provided as a public service with the understanding that ITC makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information, including warrantees of title, non-infringement of copyright or patent rights of others. These pages are expected to represent the University of Virginia community and the State of Virginia in a professional manner in accordance with the University of Virginia’s Computing Policies.