Personal (“home”) computer recommendations for KUMC students, faculty, and staff

These recommendations are intended to assist KUMC students, faculty, and staff with buying computers for personal use (home computers, portables, etc.) in consideration of the fact that they may be used at least occasionally to access and use KUMC resources and services.  Faculty and staff who need a computer for regular use for University business should consult Faculty and staff computer standards at KU Medical Center .

Please note that personal computers are not to be used to access or store sensitive information including Protected Health Information (per HIPAA); Personal Identity Information; Student Financial Information (per Graham-Leach-Bliley); student demographic and academic information (per FERPA); and other forms of sensitive information.  See the University’s Sensitive Information policy.  Generally faculty, staff, and students should exercise discretion in accessing and storing University, hospital, and clinical information from/on any personal computer.

Whether you buy via mail order (e.g., Dell), retailer (Best Buy, Costco), or order a custom-built computer from a local computer shop, look for the “recommended” components in the table below.  If you’re a new student or employee wondering whether your current computer is adequate, check the “minimum” specification cited below; if your computer does not meet the minimum specifications, you may have difficulty running at least some standard KUMC applications.

Faculty and staff, and studentsare eligible to buy Dell Computers at modest discounts through myKUMC. Login in to myKUMC > go to the Services tab > click on the "Purchase a Dell Computer for Personal Use" link in the Computing channel.

Internet connection

Even more important than the computer is the type of Internet connection you have.  You will want a “broadband” cable modem or DSL connection; a legacy dial-up modem connection will not provide satisfactory performance.  Providers of broadband connections in the Kansas City metropolitan area include Time-Warner, Comcast, SBC, AT&T, and Everest.  Not all providers are available in all areas.

Software

• GroupWise 7.0
  • GroupWise Web Access is accessible via web browser at https://webmail.kumc.edu/gw/webacc
  • Alternatively faculty, staff, and students may download the GroupWise client through myKUMC.  Login in to myKUMC > go to the Services tab > click on the "Software Download" link in the Computing channel > choose the appropriate GroupWise client (Staff/Faculty or Student)
• Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007
  • Faculty and staff may acquire a “Work at Home” copy of Microsoft Office through myKUMC. Login in to myKUMC > go to the Services tab > click on the "Purchase Microsoft Discounted Software" link in the Computing channel
  • Students may acquire Microsoft Office at a greatly discounted price through MyKUMC. Login in to myKUMC > go to the Services tab > click on the "Purchase Microsoft Discounted Software" link in the Computing channel
  • Alternatively open source products such as OpenOffice may meet your needs for office productivity.
• Security products
  • Any computer accessing any KUMC resource must be running a current version of an anti-virus program.  A personal firewall is highly recommended.
  • Consider a suite of security products such as McAfee Internet Security Suite or Trend Micro Internet Security.
  • At a minimum you need an anti-virus program and a personal firewall program.
  • Students may secure a copy of McAfee antivirus through MyKUMC. Login in to myKUMC > go to the Services tab > click on the "Software Download" link in the Computing channel > choose the "Download McAfee AntiVirus Software" link.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Adobe Flash Player
• Internet Explorer 7 (web browser)
• Firefox (alternative web browser)
• RealOne Player

Contact information

For information on this policy, please contact:

Matthew Fuoco
Director of Telecommunications
University of Kansas Medical Center
1017 Taylor, 3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, Kansas 66160
(913) 588-4900

James Bingham
Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Resources
Chief Information Officer
University of Kansas Medical Center
1018 Taylor, 3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, Kansas 66160
(913) 588-4900

This page last updated: May 27, 2008