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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 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

Network Access

Power Access

Notes

Classrooms

Many classrooms have access to the network, some are wired and some are wireless (and some are both)

Many classrooms have access to power, but not always in a convenient location

See Wireless Network for details about 802.11b/g wireless access at UCSF. UCSF does not yet support 802.11n wireless.

UCSF Library

Yes, wired and wireless

Yes

For wired access:
You need an Ethernet cable.
For wireless access:
Your laptop must have 802.11b or 802.11g wireless technology. UCSF does not yet support 802.11n wireless.

How to connect: See Wireless Access.

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

Student Lounge (Medical Sciences S-964)

Yes, primarily wireless but there is 1 wired connection available

Yes

IRC Computer Lab

Yes, wired only

Yes

You need an Ethernet cable. Wired connections exist at nearly every workstation.

Housing Services

See Notes.

Yes

Some student Housing apartments have direct 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 dialup, DSL, cable modem, or other Internet service. For details, see Internet Requirement. Because of the risk of opening the University network to unauthorized users, Housing Services does not permit you to install your own networking hardware, such as hubs, switches, or wireless access points.

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