PC Requirement

I asked Tom Fanrak, the Manager of the Technology Support Center for the Health Science Center Campus, to address the “Macs Not Recommended” concern expressed on the Blog. The Technology Recommendations are posted to TempleMedOnline. His response is below:

The following paragraph in the "TechRec2007" document addresses the "no Macs" issue:

"The School of Medicine does not recommend purchasing a Macintosh laptop. Older Macintosh computers without an Intel processor are not compatible with the USMLE shelf exams. Students who own Intel-based Macs running Microsoft Windows XP are strongly cautioned that their Mac computer may not be compatible with the curriculum's online exams, lab and workshop programs, or certain course materials."

To elaborate:

The Med School's leadership has standardized on using software that is developed specifically for Windows PC computers.

This allows the Med School to adopt software based on its ability to meet the functional needs of the curriculum, and not on its ability to run on more than one platform. By requiring PC computers, the school is not limited to purchasing software that is developed and tested on both PCs and Macintoshes.

The school requires students to take online exams on their laptop. The NBME online Shelf exams do not run on the Mac OS platform. Additionally, Windows XP is required because the Shelf exams do not currently run on Vista.

The Med School has also chosen to require PCs to simplify the development and support of specialized computer programs created by faculty at the Med School.

Certain workshops will require a student to connect their PC to laboratory equipment that is only compatible with a PC.

Apple's Intel-based Macintoshes are a relatively recent development. The fact that they can run Windows operating system does not guarantee that they are able to run all Windows-based software that the students will be required to run.

By not complying with the school's requirement that students own a PC laptop, the student assumes all liability for their inability to complete their coursework, run required software, view course content, perform lab exercises, and take online exams.



I hope this information is helpful.

Maria Demmler