Desktop or laptop? Which operating system is best and how much memory do I need? These are things you may be thinking about if you are looking to buy a computer for studying here at Herts.
If your course has a strong reliance on IT you may be given more specific information in your joining instructions.
For more general advice, please take a look at our Quick guide below to help you navigate these decisions and find the right device for you.
- Desktop or laptop?
- Operating system
- Memory
- Screen size
- Battery life
- Hard drive size
- Warranty
- Do I need to buy Microsoft Office 365 software?
- Specialist software
- Anti-virus and firewall software
- Graphics card
- CD/DVD reader and writer
- Wireless capability
- Choosing a smartphone
- Shop around
- Borrow a computer (terms and conditions apply)
- Financial support for students
Desktop or laptop?
Desktops are generally cheaper so you can get a higher spec machine for your money, however you can’t carry them around campus!
Laptops are useful for portability – think about weight, battery life, and size of the screen. You can also plug a full-sized keyboard, mouse, and monitor into a laptop although it is worth checking it has enough USB / USB C / HDMI ports for what you want to do.
A built-in camera and microphone (useful for online meetings and events) should all come as standard with a laptop but could be added extras if you are looking at a desktop machine.
You might also consider buying a headset or headphones with a microphone to allow you to make calls and focus while working.
Operating system
Which operating system do you want to use - Windows, Mac, or Chromebook? It mostly comes down to personal choice but make sure you get the right device for what you want to do. If you just want word processing, email, and Internet access, there is no need to buy an expensive computer but please bear in mind that basic devices may not be as easy to upgrade to future Operating System updates and releases.
Chromebooks run Chrome as their operating system and make a good portable device. They are great for word editing and online work, are likely to be cheaper than a Windows laptop and some are touchscreen which may be a useful addition. Bear in mind though that only limited specialist software will be available for Chromebooks.
Mac devices are generally more expensive than Windows and can be more difficult to get repaired as they have to go to an official Apple repair centre. However, they will tend to have higher resolution screens and will run a wide range of software. Some industries are predominately Mac-based, such as music and film.
Please note that to ensure the overall security of your device is not compromised, it is important to update the Operating System regularly. For more information on how to update your Operating System and why it is important see: https://ask.herts.ac.uk/dealing-with-viruses-and-worms-on-your-pc#update_your_OS.
Memory
To get the best performance out of your computer try to get as much memory as you can.
If you plan to use a Windows computer for word processing, checking emails, and browsing the internet then you only need a fairly low spec device. A lot of budget PCs come with 4GB of RAM as a base option, but 8GB of RAM will give you a better experience, even if you only use it for light duties. As far as a processor is concerned you will need a minimum of Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 but for longevity and a better experience, we recommend Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5.
Screen size
Again, screen size is an individual choice but if you are looking to buy a laptop and not attach an external monitor then screens less than 14” might make editing documents trickier. However, the larger the screen the heavier the laptop will be to carry around. If you are likely to do design work as part of your course then you might want to consider a bigger screen - a 15” full High Definition screen would make viewing details easier.
Battery life
Laptop battery life may or may not be important to you, but it’s something else to compare when deciding between different models.
Hard drive size
A minimum recommended hard drive size would be 128GB but you would need to store most of your data and documents in Cloud \ online Storage. As a student at UH you get access to a personal Microsoft OneDrive so you don’t need to store much locally on your device. For longevity and a better experience, we would suggest 256GB. Most new hard drives are now solid-state drives (SSD) but it’s worth checking as they are much faster than the older style mechanical hard drives.
Warranty
Buying a new computer means it will have warranty cover but it is worth checking the warranty Terms & Conditions as these will vary. Think about the length of the warranty, does it cover the battery if it’s a laptop, and how easy it is to send the device back to the manufacturer.
Do I need to buy Microsoft Office 365 software?
No, you don't need to buy it.
You may see Microsoft Office software as 'included' in a laptop deal or as an optional extra, but you don't need to buy this as all students (except those on non-credit-bearing short courses) get access to free Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc) while studying with us. Find out more: Getting started with Office 365.
You will be able to download the Office applications on up to 15 personal devices – for free. You’ll also get personal cloud storage (One Drive) and email.
Specialist software
If your course is going to require you to use specialised software such as the Adobe Creative Suite, then your Windows device will need to be a bit more powerful. An Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or greater processor with a minimum of 16GB RAM and a 256GB hard drive will be needed. However, there are PCs in our labs and Learning Resources Centres that you can use, and remote access for specialist software is available.
Find out more about computers and software availability.
Anti-virus and firewall software
AntiVirus software is cheap and usually comes with 12 months of free updates. It can usually be purchased online and downloaded immediately.
- AVG – http://free.avg.com/ (Free version of AVG for Mac & PC)
- F-Secure – http://www.f-secure.com/
- McAfee – http://www.mcafee.com/
- Sophos – http://www.sophos.com (Free antivirus for Mac)
There are other manufacturers of antivirus software (some of it free) or alternatively visit your computer supplier for advice.
Once you have your antivirus software it is important to keep it up to date so that it can detect and deal with new viruses.
Please note that the device must be running an up to date anti-virus and firewall software to use on the university network. The University may refuse your connection to its systems if your device does not have up to date anti-virus protection.
For more information see: ask.herts.ac.uk/dealing-with-viruses-and-worms-on-your-pc#antivirus
Graphics card
Some specialist software relies on a graphics card rather than an onboard graphics processor. Graphics cards are expensive so it would be worth checking which software you will need to run and what its requirements are.
CD/DVD reader and writer
These are often missing on lighter laptops to save weight and space but you can get a portable drive as an alternative. There is very little use of CDs and DVDs now so unless your course specifies one, its probably not worth paying the extra money.
Wireless capability
Wireless capability is included with most laptops but please be aware that desktop computers do not. A wireless card supporting the 5Ghz frequency (as well as 2.4Ghz) is highly recommended and a good 802.11ac wireless adapter will make a big difference to your WiFi experience.
Choosing a smartphone
Smartphones are great for quick and easy access to your UH online services and using your Herts Mobile app.
You can get special student discounts on phone contracts; shop around and choose the right one for you.
We highly recommend you choose a dual-band device that supports both 5Ghz band frequency and 2.4Ghz.
Thinking of buying a second hand device?
We cannot advise you what device to buy, when to buy it, or what contract to sign up for, but here are some basic things to check:
- How old is the device? A device sold as new may have been built many months ago. Check the build date if you can.
- What version of the operating system (OS) does it have?
- The newer the OS the more secure and longer-lasting it will be, although it's also likely to be more expensive.
- Are there different versions and prices for the same model? E.g., some Android phones may ship with different chips supporting different OS versions. The better ‘deal’ may not be the newest OS and not the bargain you thought it was.
- How many years of support will the manufacturer provide? You may need to check on their website as this is not always apparent from the retailer.
You don't need to buy the latest (or most expensive) model to stay safe, but if possible, avoid buying phones that are no longer supported by the manufacturer (or whose support period will end soon). If you buy a phone that is no longer supported:
- it won't receive updates that contain new features and performance improvements
- it won't receive the security updates from the manufacturer (and without these your phone is easier to hack)
Shop around
Whatever device you decide to go for you can have a look at https://www.theedustore.co.uk/ and https://www.myunidays.com as you may qualify for a student discount
- But we would encourage you to shop around and be careful when looking at the price too as the pandemic has caused laptops to vary in price based on availability rather than spec.
- If a supplier asks you to provide a University email address when purchasing a product, please enter ’username@herts.ac.uk’ (where username is your normal UH login name). For example, if your user name is 'bs11kjg' then enter 'bs11kjg@herts.ac.uk'. Any confirmation emails about your purchase will be redirected to your personal email address as shown on your student record
All University of Hertfordshire members (except those on non-credit-bearing short courses) have an Office 365 account for the duration of their studies with us, which means you can download the latest Office suite such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on up to 15 personal devices – for free. You’ll also get cloud storage and email.
Find out more about computers and software availability.
Not all University of Hertfordshire software licenses will cover students' own personal devices so you may need to factor in some cost for purchasing licenses. Software running on UH Windows PCs can be accessed remotely from Windows or Mac devices. We currently have no system in place for remotely using our Mac computers.
Borrow a computer
We have a limited number of computers that are available for loan to Herts students either for 4 hours, 12 hours, or longer term.
Please see our 'Computer loans for students' page on AskHerts for more information.
Financial support for students
There’s a range of financial help available to eligible students at the University of Hertfordshire.
- Student Funding and Financial Support (SFFS) offers help and advice for students at the University of Hertfordshire. Find out more: ask.herts.ac.uk/financial-support
- Find out about the grants, bursaries, scholarships, and allowances you could be eligible for. Find out more: herts.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/financial-support