OHSU

Computer & PDA Specifications Share This OHSU Content

 **********IMPORTANT NOTE**********

These specifications are revised yearly based on the review and recommendations of the OHSU Information Technology Group (ITG). The final specifications for the class starting each June are usually available sometime in January of that same year. Do NOT purchase a laptop/PDA based on specifications for the previous year. Always check for the most recent specifications BEFORE you buy.

 

Laptop and PDA Specifications for Class of 2015

You will need a laptop computer OR iPad to bring to class for computer-based testing throughout the academic year. You are required to have your laptop computer or iPad by the orientation session before Summer term 2013. You will need your Smartphone by the beginning of Summer term 2013.


INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER/INTERNET ACCESS

When you are on campus and in the classroom, internet access is provided by OHSU. ITG supports internet access for your laptop on campus, but does not provide hardware or software support. Most campus buildings, including Gaines Hall, have multiple wireless nodes. Wireless access via laptop or PDA is available almost anywhere on campus. This is unsecured wireless connectivity providing internet access. Many students use their Ethernet cables only for testing and use wireless access the remainder of the time. There is a wireless node in the classroom.  

You also need to have an Internet Service Provider (ISP) at home.   

 

FINANCIAL AID FOR LAPTOP AND SMARTPHONE

Financial aid packages include a $2000 allowance for a laptop. However, you should be able to purchase a very good laptop for approximately $700-1000 and a top of the line laptop for approximately $1200-1500. We strongly recommend purchasing a printer if you do not already own one. Separate from the $2000 allowance, your financial aid will also include $45 per month for your ISP and $50 per month for your phone.  

The remaining computer allowance is to be used to purchase a Smartphone to track patient encounters during mentoring (academic year) and the clinical year. Students will need to purchase a Smartphone for use in the academic year during Spring term 2013. Many students use their Smartphone starting their first term in the Program. They download various medical applications and texts onto their phones and use them for reference throughout the academic year. Applications to look up drug information and for doing various types of calculations are especially useful.  

Select your laptop and Smartphone based on the $2000 allowance, as well as including the required Microsoft Office Suite which must include Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The computer allowance is included in the Books and Supplies part of your Financial Aid Budget during summer term. If you have questions, please contact the Financial Aid office at 503-494-7800 or 800-775-5460.  


SMARTPHONE OR OTHER HANDHELD DEVICES  

You are required to purchase a Smartphone if you do not already own one. You will need it during the academic year for texts and emails to notify you of unexpected changes in the classroom schedule. The handheld device is required for the clinical phase of the program when you will use Typhon software to track all of your patient encounters as well as during Spring term of the academic year of the program in the Mentoring course.

You may use either a Palm webOS phone (such as the pre or Pixi) or Android phones (such as the T-Mobile G1 or myTouch, Verizon Droid) OR an iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad. These devices have full-fledged browsers already included, enabling you to login directly to the Typhon Group website, assuming you have internet access. With any handheld or phone, Typhon recommends accessing the website with a 3G or WI-FI internet connection for the best user experience.  

NOTE: Older Palm OS, Windows Mobile, and older BlackBerry web browsers (like Blazer or IE Mobile) are really "lite" browsers, meaning they are not powerful enough to perform all the functions of the Typhon web application as designed for a desktop or laptop computer. They are NOT supported by Typhon.  

The new BlackBerry phones running BlackBerry OS 6 released in August 2010 are the only supported BlackBerry phones.  

In order to use Typhon, you need a Palm webOS phone (pre or Pixi), Android phone (T-mobile G1 or myTouch, Verizon Droid), or iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad device as described above. No Blackberry phones EXCEPT the new phones running BlackBerry OS 6 released in August 2010. See further details comparing each option below.  

 

Recommended Laptop Specifications 

  • PCs:

    • CPU = 2GHz Intel® Core™/Celeron™ or equivalent x86 processor
    • RAM = highest recommended for the operating system or 2GB
    • Hard Drive = highest recommended for the operating system or 1 GB of free space.
    • Operating System = English editions of Windows XP (32-bit only), Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
    • Software = Internet connection for SofTest Installation, Exam Download and Upload
    • Screen Resolution must be 1024x768 or higher
    • Administrator level account permissions

  • Macs:

    • CPU = Intel processor
    • RAM = 2 GB
    • Hard Drive = 1 GB or higher free disk space
    • Operating System = Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard), Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion), and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion).
    • Software = Internet connection for SofTest Installation, Exam Download and Upload
    • Administrator level account permissions (Instructions)

  • Both PCs and Macs:

    • 160 GB hard drive minimum/250-500 GB recommended [depends on how many images/videos/other files you may keep on your laptop] – 120 GB is acceptable if you decide to go with an Ultrabook or MacBook Air – you may need an external harddrive for extra storage
    • Integrated 802.11b/g wireless networking card featuring Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology
    • 10/100 Ethernet Port with 3-5 foot Ethernet cable – required for online testing in the classroom
    • Built in camera and microphone OR webcam with microphone
    • CD Rom, or CDRW or DVD Combo drive – may be needed for installing some software.Otherwise a flash drive should be sufficient since most software can now be downloaded directly to your laptop
    • Virus Protection Software – Absolutely required for Internet access on campus along with daily updates

Required Software:  Make sure the version you get includes Outlook.

  • Microsoft Office 2010 or later with Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint included is required for PCs.
  • Microsoft Office for Macs 2011 or later with Word, Excel and PowerPoint included is required for Macs. [Macs will use Cal or iCal instead of Outlook for the classroom calendar].

SMARTPHONE OR OTHER HANDHELD DEVICES  

You are required to purchase a Smartphone if you do not already own one. You will need it during the academic year for texts and emails to notify you of unexpected changes in the classroom schedule. A handheld device is required for the clinical phase of the program when you will use Typhon software to track all of your patient encounters as well as during Spring term of the academic year of the program in the Mentoring course.


Acceptable Smartphones:

1. Any smartphone is acceptable if you can receive/send texts and emails.

2. Make sure your device has enough memory, especially if you plan to add eTextbooks/references. 16 GB should be minimum.

3. If you wish to use it for Typhon data entry, then you need one of the following smartphones with a full browser:

  • iPhone
  • iPod touch
  • iPad
  • Android phones
  • Palm webOS phones (pre or Pixi)
  • Windows Mobile 7 or later
  • Blackberry - OS 6/7 only