Should I Buy a Laptop?

A laptop offers the flexibility of working on your computer away from home. A laptop with network access offers the additional ability to connect to the Internet and UCSF network resources away from home (e.g., at the library or at a computer lab). The availability of network and electric power outlets depends on your location. The chart below can help you decide how important a laptop with wired or wireless networking is for you. Also, if you use a laptop we require that you have an anti-theft device, such as a locking cable.

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	No	Yes, 1 at nearly every workstation	Yes
Housing Services	Some student Housing apartments have direct wired connections to the UCSF network, but others do not. To determine which ones do and do not, contact Housing Services. For student housing without direct connections, use DSL, cable, or other internet service. Details: see Internet Requirement.		Yes

About 802.11n wireless

UCSF does not yet support 802.11n wireless.

How to connect

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

Borrow a laptop in the library

The library also offers a Loaner Laptop service, which enables you to borrow a laptop for use within the library.

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