Purchasing: Personally Owned Technology
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University students, faculty, and staff have access to discounts on hardware and software for their personally owned computers and devices, as well as cellular services. Each of these services has a catalog of products, but some limitations may apply.
These services are not currently available to graduated students or retired faculty and staff.
Students must be enrolled to take advantage of these services.
These services are not currently available to graduated students or retired faculty and staff.
Students must be enrolled to take advantage of these services.
Minimum Recommended Requirements
Windows Laptop
Processor | Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
Operating System | Windows 11
Software | Microsoft Office (See below for info on Office 365)
Memory | 16 GB RAM or higher
Hard Drive | 256 GB Solid State Drive or better
Wireless | Wi-Fi 5 or newer
Webcam | Integrated or external webcam required
HDMI | To use projection systems on campus laptops should have a HDMI port or adapter (current model machines typically use a USB-C to HDMI)
Operating System | Windows 11
Software | Microsoft Office (See below for info on Office 365)
Memory | 16 GB RAM or higher
Hard Drive | 256 GB Solid State Drive or better
Wireless | Wi-Fi 5 or newer
Webcam | Integrated or external webcam required
HDMI | To use projection systems on campus laptops should have a HDMI port or adapter (current model machines typically use a USB-C to HDMI)
Mac Laptop
Processor | Apple Silicon (M-Series)
*Please note that Apple Silicon processors do not currently support running Windows alongside the macOS
Operating System | Current Version macOS (macOS 14 - Sonoma)
Software | Microsoft Office (See below for info on Office 365)
Memory | 16 GB RAM or higher
Hard Drive | 256 GB Solid State Drive or better
Webcam | All current Mac laptops and iMacs include a webcam, an external webcam is required for other models
HDMI | To use projection systems on campus laptops should have a HDMI port or adapter (current model machines typically use a USB-C to HDMI)
*Please note that Apple Silicon processors do not currently support running Windows alongside the macOS
Operating System | Current Version macOS (macOS 14 - Sonoma)
Software | Microsoft Office (See below for info on Office 365)
Memory | 16 GB RAM or higher
Hard Drive | 256 GB Solid State Drive or better
Webcam | All current Mac laptops and iMacs include a webcam, an external webcam is required for other models
HDMI | To use projection systems on campus laptops should have a HDMI port or adapter (current model machines typically use a USB-C to HDMI)
Google Chromebook
The use of Google Chromebooks is highly discouraged due to being incompatible with some commonly used University systems. Chromebooks do not meet the laptop requirements for either the College of Business or the College of Nursing.
Program Specific Laptop Requirement
The College of Business and College of Nursing and the Material Science and Biomedical Engineering program have laptop requirements for any students who are majoring in one of their programs. For information on the specific requirements, please refer to the following pages:
College of Business Laptop Requirement: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-business/laptop-requirement/
College of Nursing BSN Laptop Requirements: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-nursing-health-sciences/about/laptop-requirements/
College of Business Laptop Requirement: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-business/laptop-requirement/
College of Nursing BSN Laptop Requirements: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-nursing-health-sciences/about/laptop-requirements/
Material Science and Biomedical Engineering Laptop Requirements: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-arts-sciences/departments-programs/materials-science-biomedical-engineering/academic-offerings/materials-science-biomedical-engineering-laptop-requirements/
Hardware Discounts
Discounts on computer hardware are available from Apple. Use the following link to be connected to their UW-Eau Claire education stores.
Apple: https://store.apple.com/us_edu_189120
Dell: https://dell.com/uwec
Apple: https://store.apple.com/us_edu_189120
Dell: https://dell.com/uwec
Software Discounts
Office 365
Office 365 is a subscription-based service offered by Microsoft that provides file storage and Office capabilities across multiple computers and devices. This includes common Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as, many other applications.
You can access Office 365 on most devices through a web browser, you can use the Microsoft Office apps on your mobile device, or you can download a copy of the most recent version of Microsoft Office using one of five free licenses for desktop/laptop computers.
You can access Office 365 on most devices through a web browser, you can use the Microsoft Office apps on your mobile device, or you can download a copy of the most recent version of Microsoft Office using one of five free licenses for desktop/laptop computers.
Available to: Current students, faculty, and staff
https://kb.uwec.edu/article/office-365-downloading-office-365-software/
On the Hub
Through the UWEC On the Hub Software Download Center, it is possible for individuals with UW-Eau Claire accounts various software products on their personal computers for free (or at a low cost).
Available to: Current students, faculty, and staff
https://kb.uwec.edu/article/on-the-hub-software-store/
Virtual Lab (VMWare Horizon)
The Virtual Lab (VMWare Horizon) system allows students to access software titles from the general access computer labs on their personal computer from almost anywhere. Access to the Virtual Lab environment is available through the VMWare Horizon software or through the
Virtual Lab web interface.
Virtual Lab web interface.
Personal Cellular Discounts
Visit the Purchasing: Cellular Devices knowledgebase page for details on personal cellular discounts.