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School of Pharmacy

UCSF School of Pharmacy

Should I Buy a Laptop?

A laptop offers the flexibility of working on your computer whenever and wherever you want. At UCSF, the availability of wireless internet, wired network ports, and electric power outlets depends on your location. The chart below can help you decide how important a laptop is for you. Also, if you use a laptop we require that you have an anti-theft device, such as a locking cable. The UCSF Police department regularly receives reports of laptop thefts, especially those left unattended and unlocked in the library.

Location

Wireless Access
using 802.11b/g

Wired Access
using an Ethernet cable

Power Access

Classrooms

All

Some

Some

UCSF Library

Yes

No

Yes

Student Lounge (Medical Sciences S-964)

Yes

Yes, 1 connection available

Yes

IRC Computer Lab (Medical Sciences S-918)

No

Yes, 1 at nearly every workstation

Yes

Housing Services

Some student housing apartments have wired and wireless connections to the UCSF network, but others do not. To determine which ones do and do not, contact Housing Services. For student housing that does not include wired or wireless internet, use DSL, cable, or other internet service. Details: see Internet Requirement.

Yes

About 802.11n wireless

As of April 2011, UCSF has plans to support 802.11n wireless, but this effort is not yet complete.

How to connect

For wired connections, simply connect using an Ethernet cable. For wireless connections, see Wireless.

Borrow a laptop in the library

Kalmanovitz Library offers a Loaner Laptop Service, which enables you to borrow a laptop for use within the library.

Charge your laptop in the library

Kalmanovitz Library also offers a Laptop Charging Service in Room 240, which enables you to charge your laptop unattended in a secure locker. Details:

Go To: How Do I Get Help With...? or Should I Buy...? or Computer Requirements

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