A Program on Computers and Related Hardware

Karl Weirauch & Mike Juszczyk

COMPUTER HARDWARE

Campus Laptop RecommendationsUW Madison recommends the following specifications for a fully functional

workstation:

● Intel i5 or i7 Processor

● 4GB of Memory

● 128GB of Storage

These specifications are for general use. Your recommended specifications may vary

depending on what software you need to use and how much storage you require.

Laptop Choices from DoIT Tech StoreXPS 13 - Starting at $1038 Macbook Pro - Starting at $1199

Laptop / Tablet Hybrid● Use full Windows operating system on a

tablet with laptop specs

● Connect a detachable keyboard

● Starting at $769

Don’t need a fully functional laptop?● Just need a device for email and web browsing?

● Don’t have the need to store large amounts of photos, videos, music, etc?

● Don’t need to use the full version (or any version) of Microsoft Office?

Laptop alternatives from DoIT Tech StoreDell Chromebook - Starting at $259 Apple iPad - Starting at $379

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Deciding whether your OS needs to be upgraded● Is it still supported by the vendor? (Microsoft or Apple)

● Does your software still function as intended?

● Are you interested in the latest features of Windows or macOS?

● Does your hardware meet the system requirements for the newest OS?

MacOSApple currently supports versions 10.9 through 10.12

Windows● Microsoft has ended support for Windows XP (and all preceding versions of Windows

including Windows 2000, ME, and 98)

● Windows Vista support will end on April 11, 2017

● Windows 7 support will end on January 14, 2020

● Windows 10 is the current version

PERIPHERAL DEVICES

PrintersInkjet Printers

● Best for low volume and photo printing

● Many have built in scanners

● Cheaper printer and ink options

● Recommended for most home users

PrintersLaser Printers

● Best for high volume printing

● Expensive but highly efficient toner

● Color laser printers can be extremely expensive

ScannersDocument Scanners

● Best for archiving documents

● Great for high volume and multi-page

documents

Flatbed Scanners

● Many InkJet printers have built in flatbed

scanners.

● Best for photos, and low volume scanning

DATA BACKUP

Online Backup

● Free to use

● Collaborate real time with other

users

● Sync to your Mac, PC, and

mobile device

● Unlimited storage with UW

account

● Retain intellectual property with

UW account

Online Backup

● Annual subscription

● Keep all files on your computer

backed up

● Schedule backups or run

constantly

● Do your online and local backups

in one place

● Back up your Mac, PC, and

mobile device all in one place

● UW affiliate discount

Local Backup - Time Machine (macOS)● Back up your entire system (Files,

settings, applications)

● Move through different backup

versions to recover accidentally

deleted files

Local Backup - File History (Windows 8, 10)● Back up all files on computer or

just select folders

● Move through different backup

versions to recover accidentally

deleted files

Local Backup - Hardware from DoIT Tech StorePortable Seagate drives - up to 2TB Desktop Seagate drives - up to 8TB

SECURITY

Best Practices● Use an Anti-Virus

● Use strong passwords

● Utilise browser extensions to block adds and pop-ups (Adblock Plus, uBlock Origin)

● Avoid file sharing and free TV streaming websites

● Avoid “phishing” emails, or any unsolicited emails asking for personal information

● Keep computers and major software updated

● Avoid questionable software

Antivirus● Used to detect, prevent, and remove

malicious software

● Runs all the time in the background

● There are many different free and paid

options

● Recommended for any computer connected

to the internet

Other useful softwareMalwarebytes

● Can be used in addition to anti-virus

software

● Versions for both Mac and PC

● Free and paid versions

CCleaner

● Cleans “junk” files to keep more hard drive

space clear

● Versions for both Mac and PC

● Free and paid versions

Password Managers● Saves passwords for all your accounts in one

place

● Generates strong random passwords

● Various free and paid versions

Browser extensions● Add blockers stop ads and pop-ups from

appearing on your screen, and can help

prevent accidental installation of malicious

software.

● There are ad blockers available for all major

internet browsers

● Some extensions are more privacy oriented,

and will stop websites from tracking your

activity online

● Extensions can prevent you from accessing

some websites

UpdatesWindows MacOS