Laptop Purchase Recommendations for Incoming Students

Operating System	Office Suite	Virus Protection
Windows Vista or XP Professional 32-bit	Office 2007 Ultimate	McAfee VirusScan (free download)

Save $620

Students can purchase Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate edition for only $59.95 by going to www.theultimatesteal.com. This is $620 less than the suggested retail price from Microsoft. The Ultimate edition includes every application from all versions of Office that Microsoft currently sells.

Microsoft Office

Students should purchase the Microsoft Office Ultimate Edition available from the link above. Do not purchase the "Home and Student" edition of Microsoft office as it lacks various programs and functionality essential to the curriculum here at the School of Management.

Windows 64-Bit Operating Systems

We do not recommend 64-bit operating systems at this time as they may not be able to run or install various applications or drivers essential to the curriculum.

Apple Computers

Students are welcome to purchase and use Apple computers within the School of Management. However, Mac users will encounter various compatibility problems when collaborating with other students using Microsoft Windows. Thus we strongly urge Mac users to virtualize Windows XP or Vista, in order to run Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows. This will ensure compatibility with fellow students during team based projects and the ability to use Microsoft Access which is not available in Office 2008 for Mac and will be required to complete assignments during your Junior and Senior year.

Mac users are reminded that all our classroom podium and, for the most part, faculty computers run Windows XP.

How do I configure my Mac to run Windows virtually?

In order to virtualize Windows on an Apple computer, you will need:

An original copy of the Windows XP or Vista operating system (upgrade licenses will not work)
virtualization software (Parallels and Boot Camp are the two most popular solutions)

Link to free download of McAfee VirusScan

http://www.bu.edu/pcsc/virus

MS·MBA Students

Students in the MS·MBA program are required to use Windows XP or Vista operating systems during their summer intensives, as there will be assignments that must be completed within this operating system. Mac users will be expected to virtualize Windows (see above for explanation).

Math Finance Students

Ultra-lightweight computers such as "Netbooks" are not recommended for students in the Masters of Mathematical Finance program. These students are encouraged to purchase computers with more robust central processing units (CPU) as higher order computations that are part of the curriculum may run very slowly on less powerful processors.

Didn't find the answer to your question?

You can contact the ITS Helpdesk by emailing helpdesk@management.bu.edu
or calling 617-353-9858.