HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
HARDWARE
Computer Equipment for University Departments
Departments interested in buying equipment should request a price quote or contact the ITS Help Desk at x7-6420 before ordering computer equipment. ITS works with multiple vendors, including vendors on state contract, to find the best pricing for computers, tablets, printers, etc. ITS supports and provides warranty repair services for Dell and Apple devices purchased for the University.
Student Computing Solutions
Nursing, Pharmacy, and School of Management students are required to have a laptop. Other programs do not require a computer, but we recommend that students have a computer for their convenience. Students tend to prefer laptops since they are mobile and allow the student to work anywhere.
We recommend checking with the school or program for specific requirements, but our general recommended specs for student computers are:
Minimum specs for a student computer are:
- Windows 10 64bit or MacOS X
- Intel i5 Processor
- 8 GB Memory
- 256 GB Hard-Drive
Recommended specs for a new student computer, to last 4 years:
- Windows 10 64bit or MacOS X
- Intel i5 or i7 Processor
- 16GB Memory
- 256GB Solid State Hard-drive (SSD) or larger SSD drive
- 3 yr. on-site warranty (this should be a manufacturer warranty, not a third party like Best Buy or Staples)
Apple and Dell both have discounts for students available at:
Binghamton University does not endorse any of these vendors or their offers other than to provide the options to our students.
SOFTWARE
Publicly Accessible Software
Information Technology Services maintains many software packages which are accessible to Faculty, Staff, and Students at Binghamton University. Many software applications are available in the Public Computing Labs (PODS) and through BingView. To search for available software applications available in the Public Computing Labs and BingView please visit our Software Application Database.
Public Computing Areas (PODs) Software Request
Faculty and staff who need specialized software available in our Public Computing areas can complete a Public Computing Software Request through IT Self Service.
- Winter 2018 Requests Due: November 20, 2018
- Spring 2019 Requests Due: December 21, 2018
Software For Your Computer
University Owned Device:
If you need software installed on your University-owned device, please visit IT Self Service and Request Software. You can also contact the ITS Help Desk at 607-777-6420 if you prefer to submit the request over the phone.
Operating Systems:
Windows Operating System
ITS provides and recommends Windows 10 Enterprise or Education for all University
owned PCs. If your PC needs to be upgraded, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 607-777-6420
to request an operating system upgrade.
Mac Operating System
ITS recommends the latest version.
Unix/Linux
ITS recommends the latest version of Ubuntu.
Anti-Virus Software
For free anti-virus protection click here. Universities are breeding grounds for viruses, trojan horse programs and worms due
to persistent network connections and lots of file sharing. Don't lose your next term
paper because you weren't protected!
Virtual Desktop
Bingview is the campus virtual desktop initiative, was started in 2008 as a pilot
project with initial financial support coming from ITS and the Watson School of Engineering.
The initial purpose was to provide remote access to University licensed applications.
MORE... Bingview on Mac
Personal Device:
Mathematica & Wolfram/Alpha Pro
For information visit: Mathematica & Wolfram/Alpha Pro. It is available to students, faculty, and staff.
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office 365 is available to students, faculty, and staff to install on up to 5 personal devices.
For additional information visit: Microsoft Office 365
Qualtrics - qualtrics.binghamton.com
The Qualtrics Survey Service allows the campus community to easily create surveys, collect and store data, and
produce reports.
FTP Server - Software Downloads
Information Technology Services maintains an FTP server with software available for
students, faculty, and staff. The server is available at https://ftp.binghamton.edu.
myCourses
myCourses is a Course Management System used by instructors to generate information, communicate
with students, record grades, and implement many other tools that can be beneficial
to a successful online learning environment. Using myCourses, instructors develop
web pages to publish instructional materials, group activities, tests, and quizzes,
as well as a managed grade book. Blackboard is still available for Binghamton University organizations.
Turnitin
Binghamton University has a site license for Turnitin, one of the leading online anti-plagiarism
programs. The integration of Turnitin with the myCourses course management system
allows instructors to check papers for originality using Turnitin's plagiarism prevention
system without ever leaving the myCourses environment. Contact the Help Desk for any
information.
Binghamton University Mobile App - bMobi
Binghamton University offers users a free app (bMobi) for easy access to campus news
and events. The bMobi app gives you access to Binghamton University information you
want on your iOS device (iPhone, iPad) via iTunes or Android device via Google Play.
With bMobi you can find people, locate buses, check the laundry availability, check course schedule, locate classes, find your way around campus, see the Daily Photo and other useful features.
To install bMobi and for more information about this app go to http://www2.binghamton.edu/mobi/.
Anti-virus Software
ITS strongly recommends that any computer (Windows or Mac) have modern, updated Antivirus
software. ITS installs Anti-virus software on University-owned computers when they
are set up and configured. You should ensure your personal computer also has modern,
updated Anti-virus software.
Windows - Microsoft Defender/EndPoint Protection
Defender for Windows
Macintosh - Sophos Software
Sophos AntiVirus for Mac
