Technology Requirements

• Students and study groups will have the ability to work from nearly anyplace or at anytime with dedicated access to specialized software and tools, alleviating the demand for capacity- and time-constrained lab computers.
• Professors and students will have the ability to integrate real world simulations or live input in the classroom, providing for a more interactive learning experience.
• Accommodates the scheduling and work requirements of our students who are full-time working professionals.
• Access to the Lindner printing resources will be facilitated via direct access from your personal laptop.
• Students can participate in online-based classes and take advantage of more flexibly scheduled courses.
• Additional classroom space for Lindner classes.

Most laptops purchased from the UC bookstore will cover the requirements set by Lindner for most needed programs. Please visit the UC bookstore to see their offerings. You may also want to inquire about their warranty options. 

Lindner offers as a service to our students options to purchase laptops at the UC bookstore. However, students are not required to purchase a laptop through that program as long as the equipment the student brings meets or exceeds the requirements the College has set. 

Students can use their existing laptop or mobile workstation as long as it meets the minimum specifications set by the College and is able to run any software required by the program. The key benefit of purchasing a recommended model through a program is the support structure. The University Bookstore may will be able to help facilitate a depot return for repair if the laptop was purchased through their program. This will eliminate the student needing to go off campus to a costly repair center or sending their hardware back to the manufacturer for repair.

Lindner IT suggests the use of a Windows-based laptop in your coursework at Lindner.

Some business-oriented software packages are written only for Windows. Some other applications have both Windows and Mac versions, but they are not identical and the Mac version is missing key features that are included in the Windows version. A good example is Microsoft Excel, which is used heavily in many Lindner courses.

If you already have a MacBook, you can use a MacBook in your coursework. However, this may require additional steps and/or purchasing additional software. For example, you may use Boot Camp to make your Apple computer run the Windows OS in addition to Mac OS, or VMWare Fusion to run a Windows virtual machine on top of the Mac OS. There is also the option to use UCVLabs, a virtual Windows environment we provide for our students.

Lindner does not support the use of an iPad in place of a laptop. While we feel the iPad is an excellent device to use complimentary to your laptop, it has large disadvantages if being used as your only device.

• iPads do not have the processing power of a traditional machine.
• The iPad doesn't give you direct access to its file system, making it difficult to access your files when network access isn't available.
• The iPad has a limitation on software compatibility. While apps are available through Apple's App Store, many required business applications are not. This leaves you at a huge disadvantage when daily course work requires these applications.
• There is no USB port, making it difficult to transfer materials from one device to another.

College students use their laptops almost constantly; use them in a wide variety of physical environments; move them around quite a bit; and subject them to physical stress. Even the most careful student will generally subject their laptop to lots of bumping and impact merely by the constant movement of the laptop into and out of backpacks, onto desks, etc. Lindner IT therefore recommends purchasing a business class, rather than a consumer class, laptop for use in your studies.

Most major manufacturers sell both types. For example, Dell has the Optiplex and Latitude lines which are business class laptops, and the Inspiron, XPS, Studio, and Alienware lines, which are consumer class models.

Consider this example: two Dell laptops, one an Optiplex model, and the other an Inspiron model, both have the same processor, the same amount of RAM, and the same size hard drive. In this example, the business class laptop will cost more. Why? Mainly because they are physically built to withstand more jostling and movement.

Faculty, staff and students at the University of Cincinnati can purchase software from the UC Bookstore at a discounted rate. The bookstore's computer department is located on the 3rd level of the Tangeman University Center on UC's west campus.

Since a laptop is required by Lindner, students may be able to include this cost in their financial aid needs. For system costs, we recommend consulting the UC Bookstore Program which provides purchase options that meet the college requirements. For more information about the financial aid process, please visit the Student Financial Aid website, or call 513-556-1000. The only financial aid application needed at the University of Cincinnati is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In the event that your system needs repair, a student can check out a loaner laptop during the repair period, provided that inventory is available.

Any equipment purchased will be supported with respect to connecting to the network, printing to the labs and software assistance. If a system needs hardware support, it is up to them to seek out assistance.

Under no circumstance will the Lindner IT Help Desk be responsible for backing up any data on a student's laptop. The backup process will remain the responsibility of each individual student. The Help Desk does provide documentation and will offer advice to help students understand the steps that need to be taken for secure and complete data backup of their device.