The specifications presented here are primarily relevant to prospective students entering in Fall 2011.
The Law School sets specifications for students' notebook computers to ensure consistent, functional compatibility between its systems and students' computers. Compliance with the specifications determines how many of the systems will work well with students’ computers. It also determines the level of support students will receive at the Help Desk.
Computers in compliance with the specifications in place for recent academic years remain compatible with Law School systems and eligible for Help Desk assistance.
Important systems at the Law School for which students need compatibility and support:
- Connecting to the student wireless network
- Printing via the wireless network
- Using Exam software
- Streaming class recordings
- Obtaining off-campus access to certain research sites via the Library’s proxy server
Computers running Microsoft's Windows operating system (OS) are the standard at GW Law. Maintaining compatibility between Windows OS computers and the systems listed above is a priority for the Law School. Thorough setup and troubleshooting assistance regarding these systems is available for most Windows OS computers at the Help Desk. (See the OS specification, below, for details on which Windows OS versions have the highest levels of compatibility and support.)
Please note the following information about Windows OS versions, which was added to this page on April 5, 2011.
A recent development now requires us to specify that the highest levels of compatibility and support are extended only to computers running Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Beginning in Fall 2011, computers running Windows XP will be supported only to the extent possible. All support for Windows XP computers will end after Spring 2013.
For Windows XP computers, supported "to the extent possible" means:
- Windows XP computers most likely will not be compatible with the Law School’s exam software, as the software vendor currently plans to withdraw Windows XP support prior to Fall 2011. In other words, users of Windows XP computers will not be able to use those computers to take their exams (and must either borrow a compatible computer or hand-write their exams). This recent development is the primary reason that we changed our position on Windows XP.
- As Windows XP nears the date after which Microsoft will provide no further support (April 2014), users should expect to encounter an increasing number of incompatibilities that will not be resolved by the Law School.
- For Windows XP computers, Help Desk assistance will be restricted to basic setup and troubleshooting, depending on system compatibility status and the Help Desk’s assessment of the required level of effort to accomplish such assistance.
As a result, incoming students should make every effort to avoid dependence on a Windows XP computer at GW Law.
Many prospective students are interested in the system compatibility and support eligibility of computers running Apple's Mac OS. Mac OS computers have been supported to the extent possible since Fall 2010.
For Mac OS computers, supported "to the extent possible" means:
- While the Law School will strive to establish compatibility between Mac OS computers and Law School systems, some current incompatibilities may persist and others may develop over time.
- Examples of known incompatibilities as of February 2011 include: only Windows computers using Internet Explorer and Silverlight are compatible with our system for streaming class recordings. (A former incompatibility - Mac computers being unable to send print jobs through the wireless network - was resolved prior to the Fall 2010 semester.)
- If a conflict arises between maintaining system compatibility for Windows OS computers versus Mac OS computers, maintaining Windows OS compatibility will be the priority. (As stated above, Windows OS computers are the standard at GW Law. )
- For Mac OS computers, Help Desk assistance will be restricted to basic setup and troubleshooting, depending on system compatibility status and the Help Desk’s developing experience with Macs.
An additional point for Mac OS computer users to consider: GW Law students using the Mac OS version of the exam software have encountered significantly more problems than students using the Windows OS version of the software.
Students wishing to use netbook-type computers at the Law School should consider netbooks’ shortcomings. Some models have insufficient RAM (less than 1GB) for running multiple programs simultaneously, resulting in extended periods of sluggishness. Older models featuring Windows XP Home, and newer models featuring Windows 7 starter, are currently incapable of using our wireless printing system. Also, many netbooks feature low-end wireless cards, which negatively affects wireless network connectivity.
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System
Specification:
For Priority Compatibility & Support: English versions of Windows, specifically: Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate); Windows Vista.
For Compatibility & Support to the Extent Possible: Mac OS X Leopard; Mac OS X Snow Leopard; Windows 7 Starter; Windows XP; Non-English versions of Windows.
Caution:
New versions of an OS (i.e., Windows or Mac OS X) and software (such as web browsers or media players) are not supported until after their public release and substantial compatibility with GW Law Systems is confirmed.
Wireless Network Card
Specification:
A wireless card that is compatible with 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networking transmission standards as well as 802.1X network authentication.
Note:
If your wireless card accommodates the 802.11a wireless networking transmission standard, this may improve your wireless internet experience at the Law School.
Processor
Specification:
There is no strict requirement for a particular processor.
System Memory (RAM)
Specification:
2GB, to adequately multitask and to anticipate the ever-growing memory demands of software.
Hard Drive
Specification:
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
Specification:
There is no strict requirement for video capability or graphics memory.
Optical Drive
Specification:
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
Specification:
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.