Computer & PDA Specifications

 **********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 2013

You will need a laptop computer to bring to class for computer-based testing throughout the academic year. You are required to have your laptop computer by the first day of Summer term 2011. You will need your Smartphone by the first day of Spring term 2012.

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 PDA 

Financial aid packages include a $3000 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 $3000 allowance, your financial aid will also include $40 per month for your ISP and $40 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 2012. 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 $3000 allowance, as well as including the required Microsoft Office 2010 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.  

LAPTOPS 

The basic principle in buying computers (especially because of the rapid improvements occurring in this area) is to buy the best computer you can afford. If you buy the bare minimum, you will need to upgrade your system sooner.  

Your computer MUST be a Windows PC, not a Macintosh.  

Please Note: Unfortunately the issue is two fold. One is that our testing software is not Mac compatible. We are aware of the Mac dual boot option and tested it several times but it does not maintain exam security. So, NO Macs; laptops MUST be a PC. I am sorry if you are a confirmed Mac user, but there are absolutely NO exceptions. You can use any computer you like for your personal needs but for PA Program documents and testing, you must use a PC.  

What about laptops versus netbooks?

• Netbooks have a smaller screen size (less than 12-inches) and smaller keyboard size. They are designed to be simple and can be used to perform easy tasks like e-mail, Internet browsing, light entertainment and light productivity. Laptops can range in any screen size and can be built to do complex and graphics intensive tasks.
  
• As netbooks do simple tasks, they are best used as a companion PC rather than a primary PC.
• Netbooks use low power processors like Intel® AtomTM and Intel® CeleronTM processors, while laptops use relatively power intensive processors.
  
• Due to use of lower power, netbooks have very long battery life and can usually last a long time with a single charge compared to laptops.
  
• Because netbooks are small and lightweight, they can be carried in a regular bag and may not need a specialized case.
  
• Netbooks also generally come with integrated graphics capability, thus limiting the ability to do intensive graphics and related tasks.
  
•  Many netbooks also have simpler operating systems like Ubuntu (Linux -based), Windows® XP and Windows® 7 while laptops can be customized with many different types of operating systems.
  
• Due to the nature of companion PCs, netbooks typically have lower RAM (Random Access Memory) and lower HDD (Hard Drive) capacity as compared to laptops. Netbooks are not built with internal CD/DVD drives as content used is mostly downloaded or stored in the hard disk drives. However, one can use an external CD/DVD drive and connect to the netbook using the USB port. 

Due to the size of both the keyboard and the screen, netbooks are probably not a good choice for testing and the other power intensive functions you will need to use on your laptop throughout the program. A regular laptop that is smaller and lighter but that has more power would be a better choice. Many of your exams will have images, so consider screen size for viewing images when selecting a laptop in addition to the weight involved for bringing it back and forth between campus and home.   

Minimum Laptop Specifications: If you already own a laptop, you will be required to show that your laptop meets this minimal configuration. Please provide the following information. In Windows, right clicking on My Computer and selecting Properties and then selecting the System Information tab should give you most of this information.   

• Operating System (Windows XP or Vista Home Premium or Windows 7 Home Premium)
  
• Type of Processor (Minimum of 1 GHz; 2 GHz recommended)
  
• Amount of RAM Memory (Minimum of 2 GB; 4 GB recommended)
  
• Size of hard drive (click on the C drive in My Computer and look in the lower left corner where the free space on the drive is indicated as well as the capacity of the drive). 160 GB Drive is the minimum with 350-500 GB recommended.
  
• Other drives available (CD-ROM or DVD, Zip, USB Flash Key, etc) – CD-ROM or DVD Drive required.
  
• Microsoft Office Version - Open a Microsoft Office program such as Word, select “About Microsoft Word” under Help. It will tell you the version of Office you have in the dialogue box that appears. These dialogue boxes also usually have a button in the lower right hand corner that say System Info and will also give you most of the other information needed. (Office 2007 or higher with Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint included is required)
  
• Network card and Ethernet cable (required for classroom access)
  
• Antivirus Software (Kaspersky or McAfee or Norton or Trend Micro) with updated Virus definitions (required for network access)
  
• Operating system must be up to date with latest Microsoft security patches
  
• Integrated 802.11b/g wireless networking card featuring Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology or Cisco Aironet 340/350 PCMCIA recommended for wireless access in most buildings on campus. 
  

Recommended accessories: 

• Extra main battery
  
• Extra power adapter
  
• Surge suppressor
  
• Carrying case Printer 
  

HANDHELD DEVICES  

You are required to purchase a Smartphone if you do not already own one. 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. You will use Typhon during Spring term 2011 of the academic year of the program in the Mentoring course. An iPad is an acceptable alternative if you don’t have a smartphone or if you already have a smartphone that is NOT supported by Typhon.  

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.  

Quick Reference List of Laptop and Smartphone Specifications 

Recommended Laptop Specifications:  

• Intel 2 GHz or higher Processor recommended
  
• 2 GB SDRAM minimum/4 GB SDRAM memory strongly recommended
  
• 250 GB hard drive minimum/500 GB recommended
  
• 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
  
• CD Rom, or CDRW or DVD Combo drive
  
• Microsoft Office 2007 or later with Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint included is required
  
• Operating System: Windows XP Professional or Media Center (XP Home also works), Microsoft Vista Home Premium or higher or Microsoft 7 Home Premium or higher. 32 bit or 64 bit both acceptable.
  
• Virus Protection Software – Absolutely required for Internet access on campus along with daily updates  

Acceptable Devices: 

Make sure your device has enough memory. Err on the side of getting more rather than less, especially if you plan to add eTextbooks/references. 16 GB should be minimum, preferably more. 

• iPhone (based on the various pros/cons listed in this document, the best and most highly recommended option) 
• • Works well with Typhon. Uses the default browser to login directly to the Typhon Group website.
    
  • Easy to set up and works well with the OHSU email system (Microsoft Exchange).
    
  • Many medical applications are now available for it, including Epocrates and Medscape Mobile.  
    
• iTouch
  
• • Not a phone.  
  • Works well with Typhon. Uses the default browser to login directly to the Typhon Group website.
    
  • Many medical applications are now available for it, including Epocrates online and Medscape Mobile.
    
  • Uses WI-FI to connect to internet which could be an issue in a rural clinic that does not have wireless access. Only the 3G access of a phone would work in this situation. Without WI-FI access, you would be unable to get internet access and enter patient information.
  • Syncs with OHSU email system (Microsoft Exchange).  

• iPad – New this year!
  
• • Not a phone but may be a good option depending on your current phone vendor/contract.
    
  • A good choice if you already have a smartphone that will not work with Typhon or if you don’t have a smartphone and/or have an existing phone contract that would be expensive or difficult to change.
    
  • Works well with Typhon. Uses the default browser to login directly to the Typhon Group website.
    
  • Medical applications are now available for it. Epocrates and Medscape can be accessed directly online.
    
  • Choice of Wi-Fi or 3G version. Uses WI-FI to connect to internet which could be an issue in a rural clinic that does not have wireless access. Only the 3G version would work in this situation. Without WI-FI access, you would be unable to get internet access and enter patient information.
    
  • Syncs with OHSU email system (Microsoft Exchange). 
    
• Android phones (such as the T-Mobile G1 or myTouch, Verizon Droid) 
  
• • Works well with Typhon. Uses the default browser to login directly to the Typhon Group website.
    
  • Epocrates is now available for Android phones.  
    
• Palm webOS phones (such as the pre or Pixi) 
  
• • Works well with Typhon. Uses the default browser to login directly to the Typhon Group website.
    
  • Can run Palm OS applications using Palm OS emulator.
    
  • Very few medical applications available on Palm webOS, but many on Palm OS.
    
  • Epocrates is now available in Beta version for Palm webOS. 
    
• Older Palm phones – CANNOT BE USED 
  
• • No longer supported by Typhon.
    
  • Many medical applications available. 
    
• Windows Mobile – CANNOT BE USED 
  
• • No longer supported by Typhon.
    
  • Many medical applications available.
  • The new Windows Mobile 7 devices have not been tested yet. 
    
• Blackberry  
  
• • ONLY phones running BlackBerry OS 6 (released in August 2010) are compatible with Typhon. Example: BlackBerry 9800 Torch. Uses the default browser to login directly to the Typhon Group website.
    
  • All other BlackBerry phones are NOT SUPPORTED in any manner.