Students find having a personal computer while attending Fisher beneficial for academic and personal use. The Office of Information Technology provides the following buying guidelines:
- Pharmacy and Nursing students are required to have a laptop. Recommended specifications are available in the links below.
- Online students are required to have a computer, webcam, and headset w/microphone.
- All other students, computers are recommended but not required.
All students can purchase a computer at a discount through GovConnection, Lenovo, or Apple. We highly recommend students purchase a three or four year warranty through the manufacturer.
I want to have my own computer, should I buy a desktop computer or a laptop?
We strongly recommend purchasing a laptop. Although most students are not required to have a laptop (except pharmacy & nursing students), they offer conveniences in space savings and portability. Fisher provides Wi-Fi across campus making it very easy to connect to network resources in all campus buildings.
Pharmacy and Nursing Students
The Wegmans School of Pharmacy and the Wegmans School of Nursing administer student examinations through online testing software (Examplify) and require all incoming students to have a laptop. Laptops must meet the specifications listed on the links provided below. Windows-based computers are recommended for improved testing software compatibility.
Please visit the Examplify website for current information on minimum PC/Mac device requirements.
Windows -- https://examsoft.force.com/emcommunity/s/article/Examplify-Minimum-System-Requirements-for-Windows
Macintosh -- https://examsoft.force.com/emcommunity/s/article/Examplify-Minimum-System-Requirements-for-Mac-OS-X
iPad -- https://examsoft.force.com/emcommunity/s/article/Examplify-for-iPad-Minimum-System-Requirements
Online Students
Online Classes Technology Requirements
Hardware Recommendations
We recommend you buy a nationally known computer brand from a vendor you trust to provide warranty service from multiple sites. If possible, you should try to purchase a next-day on-site warranty to ensure your computer is up and running as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
A dedicated computer is recommend for your online courses, ensuring your ability to access your online courses.
Additional Hardware Requirements
Software Recommendations
Web Browsers
We recommend the latest version of Chrome or Firefox. Other browsers such as Edge, Opera, or Safari are also acceptable, but may not provide full functionality for all campus resources.
All Other Students
What specifications should my computer meet?
|
Item
|
Minimum Recommended
|
Recommended
|
|
Operating System
|
PC: Microsoft Windows 10
|
PC: Microsoft Windows 10
|
|
macOS 10.14 Mojave
|
macOS 10.15 Catalina
|
|
Processor
|
PC: Intel Core i Series or
Equivalent
|
PC: Intel Core i Series or
Equivalent
|
|
Mac: Intel Core i Series
|
Mac: Intel Core i Series
|
|
Memory (RAM)
|
PC or Mac: 8 GB
|
PC or Mac: 8+ GB
|
|
Hard Drive
|
250 GB
|
250 GB SSD or larger
|
|
CD/DVD Drive
|
Optional
|
Optional
|
|
Network Card
|
10/100 Network Interface Card (NIC)
|
10/100/1000 Network Interface Card (NIC)
|
|
Wireless Card
(if equipped)
|
802.11n dual band w/ 5Ghz support
|
802.11ac or 802.11ax dual band
w/ 5Ghz support
|
Connections to the campus network in the residence halls are provided via wired LAN and Wireless LAN (802.11 n/ac/5Ghz). Please be advised that connection of wireless access points and cable/DSL routers is prohibited in residence halls. Cable Internet or DSL are encouraged for students living off campus.
St. John Fisher College has a 5Ghz Wifi network available to students in all campus buildings including the residence halls and academic corridor.
Additional Components
Other components such as web cams and speakers are available at Connection.com and the campus bookstore.
Chromebook Considerations
A Chromebook may provide adequate access to the required technologies and can be significantly less expensive than a PC or Mac, but please be sure to check with your academic advisor for any specialized needs.
Many applications can be used in ChromeOS or through the browser on a Chromebook, however Chromebooks may not be able to run the software needed for some programs and/or specific courses. There are some limitations when doing distance learning especially when presenting and sharing your screen. Due to the limited hardware specifications, they also typically do not multitask as effectively as Windows and Mac PC's.
Chromebooks do not fully support some of the testing applications used at SJFC and may not meet the requirements for proctored exams given by some faculty, therefore they are not recommended at this time.
What software does the College recommend?
We encourage compatibility with the software we provide in our labs. We have standardized on Microsoft Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 2016: Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Access.
Microsoft Office 365
Fisher provides Microsoft Office to students at no charge while they are enrolled at the college. Students can download and install Microsoft Office by visiting the MS Office 365 for students knowledge base article.
Many new computers come with a trial version of Microsoft Office suite pre-installed. Please be advised that Fisher faculty use Microsoft Office and many require that you turn in documents electronically. Microsoft Office may not read files created in other Office Productivity Suites (i.e. Microsoft Works or Apple iWork).
Google Apps
Students have access to Google's suite of collaboration applications called Google Apps for Education. Google Apps includes Gmail, Calendar, Drive (online file storage), Docs(similar to Microsoft Word), Spreadsheets (similar to Microsoft Excel), Slides (similar to Microsoft PowerPoint), and Sites (shared workspaces). Information about Google Apps is available at Google Apps Learning Center.
Web Browsers
We recommend the latest version of Chrome or Firefox. Other browsers such as Internet Explorer, Edge, Opera, or Safari are also acceptable, but may not provide full functionality to campus resources.
Does the College sell/service computer equipment or software?
Computer Repairs & Service
Due to the variety and number of student computers, we are unable to service student computers. We do provide support and assistance in getting student computers connected to our network and the Internet, as well as basic troubleshooting at the OIT Service Desk. It is imperative that the student computer has a current operating system (with all of the latest updates) and is in good working condition and meets the minimum recommendations.
Purchasing Computers
The Office of Information Technology has partnered with Connection.com to offer select technology products that we have found to be reliable and whose manufacturers provide good service and support. The Student Purchase Online Store is available at Connection.com. Fisher does not have a computer store on campus.
For students wishing to purchase a Mac, please visit the Apple Education site or your local Apple Store.
We highly recommend that students purchase a 3 or 4 year warranty with their laptop from the manufacturer.
Purchasing Software
The Office of Information Technology has partnered with JourneyEd to provide discounted pricing on select software packages. To purchase discounted software please visit our Campus eStore or the College Store.