LAPTOP REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION FOR FULL-TIME MBA STUDENTS

Willamette MBA students are required to have a laptop computer. In some classes you will use your laptop extensively; in others periodically or minimally. You will need your laptop on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. The cost to purchase the required laptop can be included in your financial aid budget.

Laptop Specification Requirements
* 802.11b or 802.11g wireless LAN capability
* Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) compatible with Microsoft Office 2003
* Recommended RAM of 2G
* Some courses require Windows only software applications. Apple OS X Intel based laptops (MacBook and MacPro) must be set up to support the
Windows operating system. The cost to purchase Windows operating system software and license are the responsibility of the laptop user.

Special Note #1: The new Windows Vista with Office 2007 software will work fine. However, if students are submitting an assignment electronically, it will be important to do a "save as" and save the document in the previous version of Office before sending. The "save as" will allow the document to be received in a readable format by computers running the previous edition.

Special Note #2: If you intend to use a laptop provided by an organization or employer for your MBA course work, be sure the laptop administration is NOT restricted by the organization's IT department. You may be required to install software, make network changes, or make other system configuration changes to your laptop. Laptops with administration lock down or that are only partially configurable will not meet the requirements of this program.


Opportunities to Puchase a Laptop
The Atkinson School encourages students who do not already have a laptop computer with the capabilities needed to purchase their laptop through a private vendor or The Willamette Store (the Willamette University bookstore). The following information is provided by The Willamette Store.

The Willamette Store recommended laptop systems for 2008-09 include the HP 6720 and the Apple. The recommended systems can be viewed and ordered at http://www.willamette.edu/bookstore/computershop/cmp_shop.html. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at http://www.willamette.edu/bookstore/computershop/faqs.htm

HP 6720: The Willamette Store will have some of the HP6720 systems in stock and available for purchase at The Willamette Store before Compass Week. If you prefer to pre-order your system you can do so at http://www.willamette.edu/bookstore/computershop/hpform.htm. If you pre-order your computer, be sure to fax your credit card authorization form to The Willamette Store at 503-375-5466. If you pre-order, you will pick up your new computer at The Willamette Store. The Willamette Store cannot ship computers.

Apple: If you are interested in ordering a Mac, you can order it though Apple or The Willamette Store. The Willamette Store does not carry Apple computers in stock but will happily place the order for you.

To order from Apple, go to The Willamette Store's Apple site. Apple discounts their MacBooks by $100, and their MacBook Pros by $200. They offer free shipping, but if there is a sales tax in your state, you will have to pay the sales tax.

To order from The Willamette Store, send The Willamette Store your order and they will place the order for you. To do this, you will need to be sure to complete the credit card authorization form and fax it to The Willamette Store at 503-375-5466. If there is a sales tax in your state, you WILL NOT have to pay a sales tax if you order through The Willamette Store (because Oregon doesn't have a sales tax). Your new computer will be delivered to The Willamette Store where you can pick it up. The Willamette Store cannot ship computers.

Apple is offering an iPod Nano or iPod Touch rebate with purchase of just about any Apple computer until September 15. A PDF document with more information about the rebate offer is available at http://www.willamette.edu/bookstore/computershop/BTS08_TCS.pdf.

Using Financial Aid Funds to Buy Your Laptop
The cost to purchase the required laptop can be included in your financial aid budget. If you plan to use funds from your Stafford Loan or private loan to pay for you laptop, contact Katy Wilson, Senior Financial Aid Counselor, (gradaid@willamette.edu , 503-370-6273, toll free in U.S. 1-877-744-3736) and submit the Budget Adjustment Form to Katy.

You can access a link to the Budget Adjustment Form and other graduate aid forms at http://www.willamette.edu/dept/finaid/graduate.htm

I f you are planning to use financial aid funds to pay for your laptop, be sure sure to purchase your laptop before August 20th and use your financial aid funds to reimburse yourself. Financial aid funds cannot be disbursed before August 20th.

(note: Laptop requirements were modified on April 23, 2008. Information about recommended systems was updated on June 16, 2008.)