dental school laptop requirement??

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ilovefruits

ilovefruits

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I saw UConn preorders laptops for incoming students. Do other dental schools have specific laptop requirements? I am applying for Fall 2015 cycle. Right now, I need to upgrade my laptop because my current one is dying. But I don't want to buy something for a year and then it becomes useless when I go to dental school. Thanks in advance!
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Can someone link the laptop requirement page for some of the schools as an example? I would like to check out if my schools will preorder laptops for me. I have a personal preference when it comes to tech and would reallly prefer not to use a MacBook Pro (OS is weird and hardware specs are all in the wrong places, plus bulky). Really feel like surface pro 3 is the way to go.
 
OMG did you really just diss the MBP?! 😉

Anyhow, UNC requires your computer to meet certain *requirements* (basically it can't be a crappy $200 laptop), but you don't have to buy it through the school (although that is an option).

I went ahead and bought my own laptop. The MBPs they sell through the school's computer program aren't even close to being maxed out.

Also, have you ever owned a Mac before? If you made the switch, you might not be able to go back. They aren't bulky at all, and the OS is really easy to get used to. 🙂

I think that literally 90% of dental students at UNC use Macs. I know that my other state school REQUIRES you to use a Mac (and you MUST order it through them).

Here are the minimum laptop requirements at UNC:

Intel Core i5 dual core processor 2.4 GHz or higher
12.5-inch or greater diagonal screen; 1600 x 900 resolution or greater
Integrated graphics card
4GB memory minimum
500GB hard drive or 256 GB SSD
Wireless network 802.11 a/b/g/n compliant
DVD Read/Write optical drive
Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps
16-bit audio
Speaker
Microphone
Two USB 2.0/3.0 ports
PC operating system - Windows 8 or 8.1 Enterprise or Pro
Apple operating system - Snow Leopard or higher

Also, if we use a Mac, we are required to have a Windows partition (but the school does this for us for gives us Windows 8.1 Enterprise for free--even if you don't buy your laptop through their program).

If I had bought through the school, here is the link to my options:
http://cci.unc.edu/files/2014/03/cci-product-brochure-2014.pdf
 
MWU dumps them on you. MBPs with a 4yr apple care thing. I think they might only do MBPs. Probably less than 10 people over last several classes chose the Dell option over an MBP. I don't like forcing it. I like just listing specs an letting you choose. Many had to "learn" Macs. We don't even have digital textbooks or whatever. Only a few times was out actual issues computer asked to be used/brought out. I use it, but I needed a new one personally. I've since gone ipad for lots of stuff. If anything, they should have required specs, then issue a tablet. Great for diagrams and such in lab, good for books, and board studying.
 
Since there are quite a few schools that force you to buy directly through them, at this point, I wouldn't shell out a ton of dough on a computer. There are some $400-$500 laptops that should be sufficient to get you through the year. Get something nice once you know where you're going to school.
 
I am a first year, and I am having trouble with laptops. I have windows 8, and I need to update it to win8 pro, after that, I am still missing some drivers to have my laptop encrypted, so I encourage people to just get a MAC to make your life easier in dental school.
 
First of all, I applied to UCSF, UoP, UConn, Harvard, Boston, Michigan, UNC, NYU, Columbia, Penn, Texas A&M Baylor, and MUSC. <- so any info about any of those schools would be super helpful.

I was planning on getting a MBA since it's lighter than a MBP...but it sounds like maybe I could get an iPad now to use for note-taking and stuff at school, and get a MBP or whatever is *required* next year when I get in?
 
ilovefruits said:
I was planning on getting a MBA since it's lighter than a MBP...
Click to expand...

The 13" MB Air is literally only HALF A POUND lighter than the 13" Retina MB Pro. If you pick them up, you can't tell the difference. (Yes, I tried!)

I tried the whole "taking notes on an iPad" thing in undergrad and really hated it. I promptly switched back to my laptop. 🙂
 
Glimmer1991 said:
OMG did you really just diss the MBP?! 😉

Anyhow, UNC requires your computer to meet certain *requirements* (basically it can't be a crappy $200 laptop), but you don't have to buy it through the school (although that is an option).

I went ahead and bought my own laptop. The MBPs they sell through the school's computer program aren't even close to being maxed out.

Also, have you ever owned a Mac before? If you made the switch, you might not be able to go back. They aren't bulky at all, and the OS is really easy to get used to. 🙂

I think that literally 90% of dental students at UNC use Macs. I know that my other state school REQUIRES you to use a Mac (and you MUST order it through them).

Here are the minimum laptop requirements at UNC:

Intel Core i5 dual core processor 2.4 GHz or higher
12.5-inch or greater diagonal screen; 1600 x 900 resolution or greater
Integrated graphics card
4GB memory minimum
500GB hard drive or 256 GB SSD
Wireless network 802.11 a/b/g/n compliant
DVD Read/Write optical drive
Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps
16-bit audio
Speaker
Microphone
Two USB 2.0/3.0 ports
PC operating system - Windows 8 or 8.1 Enterprise or Pro
Apple operating system - Snow Leopard or higher

Also, if we use a Mac, we are required to have a Windows partition (but the school does this for us for gives us Windows 8.1 Enterprise for free--even if you don't buy your laptop through their program).

If I had bought through the school, here is the link to my options:
http://cci.unc.edu/files/2014/03/cci-product-brochure-2014.pdf
Click to expand...

haha, sorry I know you love your MBP Glims. Im a pretty techy person so I've used alot of different tech products. I actually like the Mac OS much more so than the new Window 8.1 Pro (which is what I run on my custom pc). It's the hardware I have a problem with. I can write pages on this stuff, but tl;dr MBP are geared more towards video and graphics rendering mainly with Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop, etc, much more power than what you actually need. Though DS might require you to have programs that might eat up alot of RAM and CPU, so I wouldnt know.

So far I feel like the surface pro 3 is the best option (this will change TREMENDOUSLY once I know for sure which school I will be attending) because I like to take notes on powerpoints (do they even give you ppt's?) but always sucks cause you end up with 50 pages of ppt for 1 lecture. I thought it'd be nice to have all of the ppt in pdf format and use OneNote to write on them. The BIGGEST drawback is Windows 8.1 and the whole MS Store. The store has absolutely no useful apps. Which isnt a big problem on my desktop cause I just pull it up on chrome or download the desktop version. But when I want to use the Surface Pro 3 like a tablet I expect to have a tablet experience completed with apps.

So far, I feel like the Surface Pro 3 is the best option. Here are some specs for it:
Tech specs
Software
Windows 8.1 Pro

Exterior
Casing: Magnesium • Color: Silver • Physical buttons: Volume, Power, Home

Dimensions
11.50 x 7.93 x 0.36 in (292.10 x 201.42 x 9.14 mm)

Weight
1.76 lbs (0.79 kg)

Hard drive size2
Solid state drive (SSD) options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB

Memory
64GB or 128GB version with 4GB RAM
256GB or 512GB version with 8GB RAM

Display
Screen: 12" ClearType Full HD Display • Resolution: 2160 x 1440 • Aspect Ratio: 3:2 • Touch: Multitouch input

Processor
64GB/Intel i3 version:
4th generation Intel Core i3-4020Y 1.50 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 4200

128GB/Intel i5 version:
4th generation Intel Core i5-4300U 2.90 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 4400

256GB/Intel i5 version:
4th generation Intel Core i5-4300U 2.90 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 4400

256GB/Intel i7 version:
4th generation Intel Core i7-4650U 3.30 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 5000

512GB/Intel i7 version:
4th generation Intel Core i7-4650U 3.30 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 5000

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip for enterprise security

Wireless
802.11ac/802.11a/b/g/n

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology

Battery Life
Up to 9 hours of web browsing5

Cameras and Video
5MP and 1080p HD front- and rear-facing cameras • Built-in front- and rear-facing microphones • Stereo speakers with Dolby Audio-enhanced sound

Audio

Ports
Full-size USB 3.0 • microSD card reader • Headphone jack • Mini DisplayPort • Cover port • Charging port

Sensors
Ambient light sensor • Accelerometer • Gyroscope • Magnetometer

Surface Pen
Dimensions: 135mm (length), 9.5mm (diameter) • Weight: 20 grams
 
The Columbia requirement is basically the same that glimmer listed for UNC
 
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Glimmer1991 said:
The 13" MB Air is literally only HALF A POUND lighter than the 13" Retina MB Pro. If you pick them up, you can't tell the difference. (Yes, I tried!)

I tried the whole "taking notes on an iPad" thing in undergrad and really hated it. I promptly switched back to my laptop. 🙂
Click to expand...

Just make sure not confuse the new MBP with the MBP retina. The new MBP are really just like the original MacBooks. The MBP retina is like the old pro and air fused into one. Best of both worlds but significantly pricier. I have an Air and would say it does plenty for DS, but if I was buying a new one I would consider the MBP retina. I would recommend staying away from the MBP non-retina since you get a lot more value for a little less money with the Air over it.
 
I'd hold out on the matchbook air purchase. Lets see if the retina comes out by sept.

And macs are bulky? what?!
 
Thats why I put the dimensions on there, for comparison. The 13" MBA would probably the biggest tech Id like to carry around.

Macs are very pretty and have an overall "theme". But that's just aesthetics, which I'm a pretty big sucker for if theyre done really well.
 
chill45 said:
Just make sure not confuse the new MBP with the MBP retina. The new MBP are really just like the original MacBooks. The MBP retina is like the old pro and air fused into one. Best of both worlds but significantly pricier. I have an Air and would say it does plenty for DS, but if I was buying a new one I would consider the MBP retina. I would recommend staying away from the MBP non-retina since you get a lot more value for a little less money with the Air over it.
Click to expand...

Yes. I have consulted someone who's up to date with the tech stuffs. And he said the same thing about MBP non-retina being out of date.
 
sjv said:
As far as I know, Maryland and UTHCSA do.
Click to expand...

I received this message from my inquiry into computing requirements at UMaryland:

Welcome to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry! The School of Dentistry requires all incoming DDS and DH students to have a laptop to access educational materials. This year’s incoming dental and dental hygiene students will not receive a school purchased laptop and must have their own laptop at the time of matriculation. While this is a change from preceding years, it provides students additional flexibility in selecting a laptop and meets their need to access educational materials. The laptop must meet the following system requirements.

Minimum PC Laptop Specifications

  • Windows 7 or higher
  • 2 GHz Processor
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Hard Drive
  • Wireless Network Adapter that supports 802.11g
Minimum Macintosh Laptop Specifications

  • OSX 10.7 or higher
  • 1.3 GHz Processor
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Hard Drive
  • Wireless Network Adapter that supports 802.11g
Required Software:
  • Microsoft Office 2010 or higher (Microsoft Office 2011 or newer for Mac)
  • Symantec Endpoint Protection (available for both PC and Mac)
  • Both available at the HS/HSL Library at a discount to students
  • Keep your system up-to-date (Service packs, patches, updates, etc.)
  • Mac users may need Boot Camp or Parallels and a copy of Microsoft Windows
The HS/HSL Library offers software discounts to students for Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and Symantec Antivirus.

Warranty: It is highly recommended that you also have a next-day, onsite repair warranty coverage for the duration of your studies. Standard warranties generally cover mail-to depot repairs, which may take some time before the unit is returned to the user. If accidental damage warranty is available it is also very highly recommended.

Maintenance of your laptop: You are responsible for your laptop. The Office of Information Technology will work to assist you although we may not be able to fix any issues you may have. Technical support only covers applications that are required as part of your dental educational program such as:

  • Configuration and connection to the campus Eduroam wireless network.
  • Installation of the VPN for remote access.
  • Consultation (advice on best practices, discuss computer problems, and possible remedies)

Use of your laptop or any computing device using the campus network is governed by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy (http://www.umaryland.edu/cits/policies/responsible_use.html). As a UMB student, it is your responsibility to read, understand and comply with this policy. Contact the School of Dentistry Help Desk at 410-706-2084 or [email protected] for additional questions.


Thank you,
Stephen Matuschek
School of Dentistry IT Help Desk
 
Faux said:
I'd hold out on the matchbook air purchase. Lets see if the retina comes out by sept.

And macs are bulky? what?!
Click to expand...

The retina MBP has been out for a few years! 😀

There is supposed to be a small refresh to the retina MBP in late September. If you don't need a laptop at this moment, then sure, wait!

Here's what MacRumors says: "Though details on the next-generation Retina MacBook Pro are scarce, Apple is expected to update the notebooks during the third quarter of 2014, alongside a revamped ultra thin 12-inch MacBook Air. It is likely that the next Retina MacBook Pro will feature only a slight Haswell processor boost as Intel's next-generation Broadwell chips are not slated to ship until 2015."

So, if you can wait, might as well wait until next year.

Oh, and public service announcement: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY OF Y'ALL BE BUYING THE NON-RETINA MBP. plz don't. plz. :laugh:
 
Last edited:
Can someone make a Tech/Laptop/Tablet and DS apps requirement sticky for us Dental/Predents? I noticed they have a Tech sticky on computing and apps requirements for the Meds students over in the Med forum. It would be nice for entering class of DS this year and next year to know which school requires what so we don't go and replace our ancient/broken computer with something that would not be useful in dental school. I know most dental schools have deals with people like Apple, Dell, HP, etc. but these deals actually suck. I think we are better off to watch for discounts before school starts (if your laptop does not suddenly expires months or weeks before school starts and we have to replace it in the meantime) and buy on our own,but we need to know what each school requires. For example, it appears that UMaryland no longer charges a computer fee and does not now require entering DS class to buy a computer from them.
 
Sissi Romy said:
Can someone make a Tech/Laptop/Tablet and DS apps requirement sticky for us Dental/Predents? I noticed they have a Tech sticky on computing and apps requirements for the Meds students over in the Med forum. It would be nice for entering class of DS this year and next year to know which school requires what so we don't go and replace our ancient/broken computer with something that would not be useful in dental school. I know most dental schools have deals with people like Apple, Dell, HP, etc. but these deals actually suck. I think we are better off to watch for discounts before school starts (if your laptop does not suddenly expires months or weeks before school starts and we have to replace it in the meantime) and buy on our own,but we need to know what each school requires. For example, it appears that UMaryland no longer charges a computer fee and does not now require entering DS class to buy a computer from them.
Click to expand...

The mods haven't sticked anything in FOREVER.

I agree that the deals do usually "suck," and you often have to pay dearly to get the things that are included in them. (For example, you get a pretty nice warranty if you buy through UNC, but it adds something ridiculous like $800 to the cost of the computer. Yuck.) Also, the computer plans through various schools don't typically have much wiggle room--I really hate that you can't customize the Macs that come in UNC's computing initiative, for example. What if you don't want the basic model?!! No thanks.
 
Glimmer1991 said:
The mods haven't sticked anything in FOREVER.

I agree that the deals do usually "suck," and you often have to pay dearly to get the things that are included in them. (For example, you get a pretty nice warranty if you buy through UNC, but it adds something ridiculous like $800 to the cost of the computer. Yuck.) Also, the computer plans through various schools don't typically have much wiggle room--I really hate that you can't customize the Macs that come in UNC's computing initiative, for example. What if you don't want the basic model?!! No thanks.
Click to expand...
There are other warranty plans that are not offered through the computer manufacturers or the school. I would say, never buy from the school unless they require you to do it. Sure, their warranty gives you access to their IT on campus repair center, but the cost is outrageous. I hear SquareTrade offers good warranty deals. I personally have used Square Trade on my tablet and they are good. If you buy Apple products the Apple Store warranty is better than any other outside deal.
 
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