The specifications presented here are primarily relevant to prospective students for Fall 2009.  The specifications contain only minor updates from the prior academic year so computers that conformed with the specifications in place for recent academic years should remain compatible with Law School systems and eligible for Help Desk assistance.

Particularly important details of the requirements include:

• Students are required to install a VPN software client to establish wireless connectivity at the Law School.
• You must comply with the required specifications to be eligible for assistance at the Help Desk.

Caution: Netbook-type computers may not be suficient to meet the computing demands of the average law student and are not recommended.  If you  insist on using a netbook at the Law School, take extra caution to ensure that it both meets the minimum required specifications stated below and that it is capable of running Microsoft Office software.  If Office software is not pre-installed on the netbook, confirm whether Office software can be installed after the purchase.

Operating System

Required minimum: English version of Windows Vista or English version of Windows XP (XP Professional or XP Media Center editions only; XP Home edition is not acceptable).

• Windows XP will not be available on newly purchased computers with the exception of netbooks (please see the caution above regarding netbook-type computers).
• Computers running XP Home edition are not compatible with some law school systems and are not eligible for Help Desk assistance.  Note that there is no viable solution to upgrade an XP Home edition computer to XP Professional or Media Center and that such computers most likely are insufficient to run Windows Vista.

Recommendation: Of the Windows Vista editions, most law students would be most satisfied with Vista Home Premium edition.  (Click here for Microsoft's comparison of the editions.)

Caution:  Apple Mac OS editions are not in compliance with our required specifications and students choosing to rely on such computers at GW Law should expect to encounter difficulties.  See our Apple FAQ [pdf] for more information.

Wireless Network Card

Required minimum:  A wireless card that accommodates 802.11b or 802.11g standards. 

Recommendation:  Most wireless cards accommodate 802.11b or 802.11g, but you should confirm that this is stated in your computer's documentation. 

Processor

Required minimum: There is no strict requirement for a particular processor. 

Recommendation: Most recent notebook models contain processors that are sufficient to handle typical law student applications. If purchasing a Windows Vista notebook, "more" processor improves performance (i.e., you should strongly consider the processor upgrade options for the notebook model you are purchasing). 

System Memory (RAM)

Required minimum: 1GB, to adequately multitask and to anticipate the ever-growing memory demands of software.

Recommendation: If purchasing a Windows Vista notebook, "more" memory improves performance (i.e., you should strongly consider the memory upgrade options for the notebook model you are purchasing). 

Hard Drive

Required minimum: There is no strict requirement for hard drive storage space.

Recommendation:  Law school-related documents and presentations, even when compiled over 3-4 years, do not require excessive hard drive storage space.  Typical law students, however, tend to fill smaller hard drives with photos, videos, and music files.  A larger hard drive may be appropriate if you plan to store such files on your computer.  An external, USB-connected hard drive should be considered as an option to facilitate archiving or backing up files.

Video Capability/Graphics Memory

Required minimum: There is no strict requirement for video capability or graphics memory.

Recommendation:  If purchasing a Windows Vista notebook with the Home Premium edition or higher, consider Microsoft's guidelines to ensure the user experience (such as Windows Aero) is adequately supported by the video hardware of your computer.

Optical Drive

Required minimum: There is no strict requirement for a particular optical drive.

Recommendation:  Law students should consider having access to a recording-capable drive, such as a DVD/CD-RW, or DVD+/-RW as an option to facilitate archiving or backing up files.  This drive could be part of the notebook computer, removable, or external (USB-connected).

USB Ports

Required minimum:  At least 1 USB port is required.

Recommendation:  Practially every notebook computer is equipped with at least 1 USB port; whether you should have more ports on the computer is a personal preference.  (Inexpensive, external USB hub devices can provide flexibility when the computer itself has a limited number of USB ports.)  The most common use for the USB port will be to connect an external drive such as a flash memory storage device (a.k.a. "memory key" or "flash drive").  These small, convenient file storage devices are crucial for quick backups and transfers of files between computers.