Windows Vista or XP SP2 or Mac are All Acceptable.

At this point my recommendation is to get most powerful computer your budget can afford, with the Vista operating system. If you already have a PC which is running Windows XP SP2, do not assume you need to purchase a new system. Bring your old PC in August and we will see how well it performs.

If you are purchasing a new PC with Vista, I recommend following these system requirements from  UT-Austin Information Technology Services: http://www.utexas.edu/its/vista/requirements.php

Mac users -- we found this past year that our Mac users (OS X) were able to access the essential UTMB information resources. Current students with the new MacBooks are able toaccess UTMB computer resources.

UTMB is currently revising its recommended hardware standards for new computer purchases.  A link to the new recommendations is here. Note that UTMB specifies Dell for institutional purchases. For personal purchase, any Windows-compatible PC is acdeptable if you meet at least the minimal specifications.

The UTMB Bookstore has excellent prices for Microsoft Office and other products. Consider waiting until you arrive on campus to get the full Microsoft Office. See the UTMB Bookstore list.

        -- Dr. Bruce Niebuhr
            bniebuhr@utmb.edu

In addition to certifying applications, IS has begun work on the following: Desktop and laptop configuration standards for new purchases will be modified to a configuration that will support Vista in order to position UTMB for a future migration. IS will also begin implementing the necessary Vista software licensing infrastructure to allow IS Security, IS application teams, IS enterprise and desktop services, and departmental LAN administrators the ability to appropriately evaluate Vista.

Faculty, staff and students who use privately-owned laptop or desktop hardware running Vista will be able to refer to a compatibility listing on the IS and AR web sites that will provide a status of what UTMB applications and network services have been certified for use with Vista. It is likely that a large number of UTMB applications and network services will not be compatible with Vista for some time. Fortunately, the key applications needed by entering students have been tested and are compatible with Vista.