The Tuck Office of Information Technology will guide and assist you in navigating your technological needs during your time at Tuck.
In the late spring and early summer, you’ll begin to hear from Tuck’s IT team about how to download software and access online services to ensure that you are prepared for the start of the Summer Term.
All students need to have their own notebook computer. Recommendations for which devices will be most compatible with Tuck’s services are listed within What to Bring: Notebook Computer Requirements. If you are looking to purchase a new computer, the Dartmouth Computer store offers discounted prices and on-campus service.
In addition to open “office hours” sessions, Tuck IT will schedule a one-on-one consult in-person or online with you to answer any questions and make sure you’re ready to go.
If you have any questions as you prepare for your arrival at Tuck, please feel free to reach out to the office.
Email: helpdesk@tuck.dartmouth.edu
Phone: 603-646-1818
In-Person: Mezzanine level of Byrne Hall
Looking Ahead: Preparing for Tuck
You are expected to arrive on campus for Pre–Tuck Launch or Tuck Launch programs with a notebook computer that is ready to use.
Winter: Tuck recommends minimum specifications for your notebook computer and provides a list of local retailers and service centers so you know which brands have the best options for repairs and service near campus.
Spring: IT staff are available via phone or email to answer questions if you need help selecting a notebook computer. You can expect to receive access to your campus email before the end of spring.
Summer: You’ll be asked to install some software and complete some simple tasks on your computer to confirm that it is ready for the demands of the MBA program. You will also be able to download and install Microsoft Office using your student license. During Tuck Launch, IT staff will be available at open office hours if you are having issues connecting to the network or accessing services with your notebook computer and other devices.
What to Bring: Notebook Computer Requirements
Tuck requires all students to bring a business-class notebook computer for use during their time in the MBA program.
Operating Systems
- Windows 11 – Home or better
- MacOS Sonoma
Hardware Recommendations
- Processor: Intel Core i7 or better, AMD Ryzen 7 or better, Apple M1 or better (no ARM processors for Windows computers, see note below)
- RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB or higher recommended
- Hard Drive: 256GB or larger; a solid-state drive (SSD)
- Screen: 12.5 inch or larger
- Video output: Most spaces support HDMI and Mini DisplayPort
- Integrated camera for videoconferencing
- Ethernet port or appropriate adapter for a wired Ethernet connection
- English-language support
We highly recommend that you bring a business-class notebook. These would include notebooks such as the Lenovo ThinkPad X and T series, Dell Latitude series, HP ProBook or EliteBook series, and the Apple MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. It has been our experience that this class of notebook provides both improved reliability and performance, as well as better options for repair. As with any large purchase, keep in mind that the cheapest option may not be the lowest cost in the long run.
While they are not required, you may want to consider bringing an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor for home use. While you are welcome to bring a printer, there are a variety of public printers available for your use, including some in the residence halls.
Note: ARM processors are NOT compatible with 64bit applications, and have known conflicts with some Tuck software. Examples of ARM processors that are not supported at Tuck include, but are not limited to, Snapdragon, Kirin, and SQ1. Additionally, Chromebooks and devices running iOS or Android OS will not suffice as a primary laptop. In addition, Tuck does not recommend bringing a notebook computer that has been configured for a corporate or company environment. These computers frequently have software restrictions that render them incompatible with Tuck’s network and services.
Software
Tuck will provide the following software for your use as a student:
- Microsoft Office 365: The Office 365 suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Skype For Business, all available for installation on your Mac or Windows computer. It also includes OneDrive for Business, with 1 TB of storage available for your use, as well as online versions of many of the Office applications.
- Access to the Tuck Virtual Lab. Once in the Virtual Lab, you can run a wide variety of software, including some that will be required for specific courses.
- Tuck uses CrowdStrike for our enterprise-level antivirus protection, and students can install it on personal Mac and Windows computers.
- TuckPrint: TuckPrint is Tuck’s single-queue printing system, which allows you to print to a single central queue, and then release your print job at any of 13 release stations around the Tuck Campus. Print jobs can also be submitted via email and released via your mobile device for added convenience.
- Adobe Creative Cloud: The full Adobe Creative Cloud suite is available for installation on your computer, or via the Tuck Virtual Lab. Applications can be installed individually, or the entire suite can be installed.
- The presentation software think-cell serves a single purpose—quickly creating great-looking business presentations. Learn more.
Other software packages—including Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Project, and SPSS—will be available for your use via the Tuck Virtual Lab. Licenses for all Tuck-provided software, whether installed locally or accessed via the Virtual Lab, are valid for your time as a student at Tuck.
Tuck will provide a Windows virtual desktop for access to required Windows software. Be aware that Mac computers have slightly different shortcuts for programs like Excel. If you are a heavy user of these kinds of shortcuts you may want to keep this in mind when making a purchase.
Data Backup
As part of the Office 365 package, you have access to Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage. You can sync your OneDrive folder to your computer, and anything you save in that folder will be automatically backed up to the OneDrive cloud. For any data that is only stored locally on your laptop, Tuck strongly recommends that you utilize a backup service such as Carbonite, iDrive, or BackBlaze to protect your data. At a minimum, you should frequently back up your data to an external hard disk.
A data backup service runs automatically in the background, storing a copy of your data on a secure remote server. In the event of a hardware failure or data corruption, you can restore your information from these remote servers.
While it is highly recommended that you utilize some kind of backup service, Tuck does not endorse any specific backup service and takes no responsibility for data that is stored on your computer.
Tuck will only be backing up your data that is stored in the Tuck Virtual Lab. Data stored on your local computer is your responsibility.
