Lori Meadows
Bradley University does not provide laptops to students, but it does have recommendations and minimum specifications for students who are purchasing laptops. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends that all students have a laptop to complete their coursework. The university also provides a list of specifications for PC laptops, and there are some programs that require specific types of laptops. For example, the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts requires that Journalism, Media Production, and Advertising-Public Relations majors have a Mac or PC that meets certain minimum specifications. Additionally, the university has a relationship with Dell, and students can purchase Dell laptops at a discounted rate. Students can also loan laptops from the Cullom-Davis Library for 6 hours, and there are computers available for student use in the library and the Computer Lab.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Laptop requirement | Most academic programs recommend or require that students have a laptop |
| Laptop recommendations | Dell computers, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, PC laptop |
| Laptop loan | The Cullom-Davis Library can loan out Windows and Mac laptops for 6 hours |
| Laptop insurance | Available from most retailers but may not be cost-effective |
| Laptop specifications | Processor: i7 (10th gen or newer); GPU: Nvidia brand |
| Student discounts | Available on ThinkEDU.com, the Bradley Apple Store online, and Microsoft Office through Bradley Computing Services |
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What You'll Learn
Students are recommended or required to have their own laptops
While Bradley University does not provide laptops to its students, it does recommend or require students to have their own laptops. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, for instance, recommends that all incoming, transfer, and returning students have a laptop to complete their coursework. From the 2022-2023 academic year, this will become a requirement, with minimum specifications in place. The Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts also requires students to have laptops, with specific requirements depending on the course. Journalism, Media Production, and Advertising-Public Relations majors, for example, are required to have a Mac or PC that meets certain minimum specifications.
Students can purchase laptops at a discounted price, with educational pricing available on hardware and software. The university tech support endorses ThinkEDU.com for educational pricing, and there is also a Bradley Apple Store online for discounted Apple products. Dell computers are also recommended as the brand is reliable and the university has a relationship with them. Students can also take advantage of the Employee Purchase Program (EPP) at Bradley University with the same savings as employees.
Students who do not bring a laptop to campus can use the public lab in the Cullom-Davis Library, or borrow a laptop from the library for use within the library. The library also offers Windows and Apple desktops, printing, scanning, and other services. Students can also use the computers in the Computer Lab near the Service Desk.
Students are advised to register their devices with the university's wired network, which includes laptops, desktops, Smart TVs, and gaming consoles. The university also recommends that students purchase an external hard drive to back up their laptops and an extended warranty for their device.
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Minimum specifications for laptops
Laptops have become an essential tool for students to succeed in their academic pursuits. When it comes to Bradley University, the university itself does not provide laptops to students. However, it is recommended and, in some cases, required for students to have their own laptops to complete their coursework. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Bradley University recommends that all incoming, transfer, and returning students have a laptop computer. While this is currently just a recommendation, it will become a requirement in the future academic years.
Processor
For PCs, a processor of i7 (10th gen or newer) is recommended. For any laptop, a minimum of an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor is sufficient to handle basic tasks such as word processing, web browsing, and running educational software.
RAM
A minimum of 4GB of RAM is recommended. This amount of RAM allows for running multiple applications simultaneously and ensures a smooth performance.
Storage
At least 128GB of storage is recommended, preferably in an SSD (Solid State Drive). This provides enough space to store essential files and documents and allows for faster boot and load times. If you are purchasing a PC laptop, Bradley University recommends an Apple MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage.
Display
A minimum screen resolution of 1366x768 pixels is recommended to provide a clear and sharp display for everyday tasks such as reading and writing.
Battery Life
A battery life of at least 6-8 hours is ideal. This allows students to work for an extended period without worrying about their battery life.
Operating System
A stable and user-friendly operating system such as Windows 10, macOS, or a recent version of Linux should be installed.
Connectivity
The laptop should have at least one USB port, an HDMI port, and a Wi-Fi adapter. These features enable connections to external devices like printers and projectors and provide wireless internet access.
Additional Accessories
While not part of the laptop specifications, it is strongly recommended that students have USB memory storage devices for their ease of use and encryption capabilities in case of lost or stolen property. An Ethernet cable is required for wired connections on campus, and an external webcam is suggested if the laptop does not have a built-in or functioning webcam for online classes. A headset or headphones with a microphone improve videoconferencing performance by enhancing speech clarity and reducing background noise. Finally, a multiport adapter specific to the laptop's ports (HDMI and USB 3.0) will aid in connecting to technology resources in various study rooms and classrooms.
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Discounted laptops and software
While Bradley University does not provide laptops to students, it does offer a range of resources and recommendations to assist students in acquiring laptops and software at discounted prices. The university recommends that all students have a laptop to complete their coursework, with certain specifications in place.
Laptop Recommendations:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Bradley University recommends that all incoming, transfer, and returning students have a laptop computer. While this is not yet a requirement, it will become one for the 2022-2023 academic year. The university provides a list of minimum specifications for laptops, including processor and GPU recommendations. Students are advised to ensure their laptops are compatible with Microsoft Office 2019 and to consider purchasing an extended warranty.
Discounted Laptops:
Bradley University offers several options for students to obtain laptops at discounted prices. The university has an online Apple Store that provides discounted pricing for students, although proof of student status may be required. Additionally, the university endorses ThinkEDU.com for educational pricing on hardware and software. The university also has a relationship with Dell, and Dell computers are recommended for their reliability. Dell offers a range of customization options, including battery and screen size choices.
Software Discounts:
Bradley University provides access to certain software at discounted rates. Students can purchase Microsoft Office at a discounted rate through Bradley Computing Services. Additionally, the university's relationship with Dell allows students to take advantage of the Employee Purchase Program (EPP) with the same savings as employees. The university also recommends shopping around for educational pricing on software, as significant discounts are often available for educational purchases.
On-Campus Resources:
For students who do not have laptops, the Cullom-Davis Library offers Windows and Mac laptops for loan, as well as a public lab with computers for student use. The library also provides Windows and Apple desktops, printing, scanning, and other services. Additionally, the Computer Lab near the Service Desk has computers available for student use.
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Laptops available on loan from the library
Bradley University does not provide laptops to its students. However, the university recommends that students have a laptop to complete their coursework. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, for instance, recommends that all incoming, transfer, and returning students have a laptop. While this is not mandatory, it will become a requirement in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Students are expected to bring their own laptops to campus. The university provides recommendations on the type of laptop to purchase. For instance, Dell computers are recommended as they are quite reliable and the university has a relationship with the brand. A 15-inch or 17-inch screen size is also suggested.
Students can also purchase Apple laptops at a discounted price from the Bradley Apple Store online. Proof of student status may be required. Additionally, students can take advantage of educational pricing on hardware and software from sites like ThinkEDU.com, which is endorsed by Bradley University tech support.
In cases where a student's laptop becomes unusable, the Cullom-Davis Library offers laptop loans. Windows and Mac laptops can be borrowed for 6 hours from the Reserves Desk. The library also has a public lab with computers for student use. Furthermore, there are computers located in the Computer Lab near the Service Desk that are available for students who do not have their own laptops.
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$125 $145
Laptops and devices must be registered to connect to the university network
Bradley University does not provide laptops to students. Students are expected to bring their own laptops to campus, and many academic programs recommend or require that students have a laptop to complete their coursework. While the university does offer a public lab for student use in the Cullom-Davis Library, as well as loaning out laptops for use within the library, students are encouraged to have their own devices.
To ensure a secure network connection, all devices that connect to the university's wired network must be registered. This includes laptops, desktops, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other devices. The registration process is typically done once a student arrives on campus and needs to be repeated at the end of each school year.
To register a device, students must connect to the wired network using an Ethernet cable. After connecting, they will be directed to an online registration program where they will need to provide their BUnetID and password to complete the process. If students encounter any issues, they can call the Service Desk for assistance.
It is important to note that wireless networking is also available for students, but it is inherently less secure than a traditional wired connection. For secure connections, such as taking quizzes and tests, students may need to connect directly to the wired network. Additionally, Bradley University tech support recommends purchasing an HDMI and an ethernet adapter for devices that do not have a built-in ethernet port.
Overall, while Bradley University does not provide laptops to students, the university prioritizes secure network access for all students by requiring device registration for wired connections. Students are encouraged to bring their own devices and take advantage of the available resources to ensure a smooth academic experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Laptops are recommended for students at Bradley University, and some academic programs require them. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends that all incoming, transfer, and returning students have a laptop to complete their coursework.
The minimum specifications for laptops at Bradley University vary depending on the course. For PC laptops, an i7 processor (10th gen or newer) and a discrete Nvidia GPU are recommended. For Apple laptops, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage are preferred.
Yes, Bradley University has a relationship with Dell, and students can purchase Dell laptops at a discount. Apple laptops are also available at a discounted price from the Bradley Apple Store online with proof of student status.
Yes, the Cullom-Davis Library loans out Windows and Mac laptops for 6 hours, and there are also computers available for student use in the Computer Lab near the Service Desk.
