Frequently asked Questions
We assume that you will bring a laptop to the university if you are doing a computer course. As a UU student, you will be able to access practically all study software everywhere free of charge via your laptop.
You can find the most frequently asked questions about using your own laptop and their answers below.
When do I need to bring a laptop?
How do I know whether I need to take a laptop to a computer practical?
Do I have to take my laptop to the Faculty Introduction?
What kind of laptop do I need?
Can I take part in a computer practical with every kind of laptop?
Can I use a tablet of mobile phone to take part in a computer practical?
I have had my laptop for a long time, will I need to buy a new one?
Will I have a problem using a Mac?
Do I have to buy a laptop from a particular supplier?
Where do I find practical information about working with a laptop?
What are the recommended specifications?
If I buy a new laptop, what are the recommended specifications?
How can I check whether my laptop meets the recommended specifications?
Will the recommended specifications stay the same throughout my entire study programme?
Do the same recommended specifications apply for all degree programmes?
What should I do if my laptop does not meet the recommended specifications?
I haven't got a laptop with me. What next?
What should I do if I haven't got a laptop?
I've forgotten my laptop. What next?
My laptop is broken. What next?
What is a loan laptop?
How can I borrow a loan laptop?
Can I simply borrow a loan laptop if I haven't got one of my own?
What happens if my loan laptop gets damaged or lost?
What about WiFi, charging and storage?
What about the Internet connection at the university?
Where can I charge my laptop?
Can I store my laptop safely at the university?
How can I ensure that I have the right software?
Do I have to buy the software myself?
Can I access SolisWorkspace immediately?
Can I install the Citrix Workspace App (Receiver) myself?
Where can I go if I have any questions?
Where can I go if I have any questions about WiFi, SolisWorkspace and standard software?
Answers
How do I know whether I need to take a laptop to a computer practical?
Check the course information in the course catalogue or the course reader. If you are required to have a laptop with you, it will be specifically stated here. As a UU student, you will be able to access practically all study software everywhere free of charge via SolisWorkspace. Always ensure that the laptop which you bring to the computer practical is fully charged.
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Do I have to take my laptop to the Faculty Introduction?
The organization of the Faculty Introduction strives to ensure that you do not need a laptop during the Faculty Introduction. If a laptop is nevertheless required, you will be informed in good time by the Faculty Introduction. It is recommended to install the Citrix Workspace App (Receiver) prior to the first lecture or workgroup. An extensive manual can be found under the 'S' of 'SolisWorkspace' on https://manuals.uu.nl/nl/a-z/.
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Can I take part in a computer practical with every kind of laptop?
In principle, any laptop with Windows 10 or higher is suitable for participation in computer practicals. You can also use a Mac to take part in a computer practical. However, we cannot guarantee that the relevant teaching applications will work well on every laptop (especially older ones). Make a point of testing this matter before the computer practical.
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Can I use a tablet of mobile phone to take part in a computer practical?
No, you cannot use a tablet of mobile phone to take part in a computer practical.
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I have had my laptop for a long time, will I need to buy a new one?
In most cases, the teaching applications that you will need for the computer practical will work well enough on an older laptop. Prior to the computer practical, you can test whether the required teaching applications (which are usually provided via SolisWorkspace) actually work on your laptop.
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Will I have a problem using a Mac?
No. Most of the software used during computer practicals is available via SolisWorkspace. SolisWorkspace can be accessed using either an Apple MacBook or a Windows laptop. As Utrecht University uses Microsoft products, using a Windows laptop is a little simpler.
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Do I have to buy a laptop from a particular supplier?
No, you can purchase a laptop from a supplier of your own choice.
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Where do I find practical information about working with a laptop?
Check the Information security at the UU page if you want to know more about securing the information on your laptop, secure access through two-factor authentication (2FA) and preventing identity theft, phishing or hacking. Also, take a look at theinformation and tips regarding the prevention ofcomplaints of the arm, neck and shoulder (CANS).
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If I buy a new laptop, what are the recommended specifications?
We recommend that the laptop which you use for computer practicals meets the following minimum specifications:
| Description | Minimal specifications | Recommended specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | at least 2 GHZ (64 bit) I5-processor | 2,8 GHZ or higher (64bit) I7-processor |
| RAM | 8 GB (upgradable) | 16 GB or higher |
| OS | Windows 10, ready for 11 | Windows 11 |
| Hard drive | 256 GB | 512 GB (SSD) or higher |
| Resolution | 1920 X 1080 | n/a |
| Network/WiFi adapter | Ethernet LAN and Dual Band, WiFi network card (suitable for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) | n/a |
| USB | Minimum of 2 USB ports (3.0) | n/a |
| Mouse | Recommended | n/a |
| Battery life | 4 hours | The more the better |
| Headphone connector | Recommended | n/a |
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How can I check whether my laptop meets the recommended specifications?
You can check the hardware and software specifications on your laptop under 'system information'. The way you can check this differs per operating system. For example, search the Windows or Apple menu for "system information."
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Will the recommended specifications stay the same throughout my entire study programme?
The recommended minimum specifications should at least suffice for computer practicals during the course of your degree programme. However, we cannot guarantee that the minimum specifications will remain unchanged for the years to come.
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Do the same recommended specifications apply for all degree programmes?
Yes, the same specifications apply for all programmes at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. If you plan to take a course provided by another faculty, check in advance which specifications apply.
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What should I do if my laptop does not meet the recommended specifications?
In most cases, the education application you need will run a little sluggishly on a laptop that doesn't meet the recommended minimum specs. We advise you to test this before the computer practical. If the required educational application does not work properly on your old laptop, it is possible to borrow a laptop (Chromebook) laptop for the computer practical.
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What should I do if I haven't got a laptop?
We recommend that you to purchase a laptop. If you haven't got a laptop, you can borrow a 'loan laptop' (Chromebook) to use during the computer practical.
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I've forgotten my laptop. What next?
If you have forgotten your laptop or haven't got a laptop to use during the computer practical, you can borrow a loan laptop under certain conditions for no more than one working day at a time.
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My laptop is broken. What next?
You are responsible for your own hardware support and any laptop repairs. For example, you can cover this responsibility via a guarantee scheme on buying your laptop or via the 'Swift Student Service' at Campusshop.nl.
Do you have problems accessing the IT facilities of the UU, such as WiFi, SolisWorkspace or printing? You can contact an IT Service Point of the UU with these kinds of IT problems. At the Utrecht Science Park (USP) it is located in the Educatorium building next to the reception, and in the city center the desk can be found at Kromme Nieuwegracht 80.
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What is a loan laptop?
Two types of loan laptop are available for computer practicals: Chromebooks and laptops. Both provide access to SolisWorkspace. Whereas you cannot store files or install software yourself on a Chromebook, you can on a laptop. You can borrow a Chromebook or laptop for a period of no more than one day.
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How can I borrow a loan laptop?
You can request a loan laptop via the Self-service portal and follow this path: Home > Education & Student Affairs > Software/Applications > New Notification. State in the application at which facility service point you would like to pick up the loaner laptop: in the Educatorium or Victor J. Koningsberger building. You can then pick up the loaner laptop before the start of the computer practical at the specified facility service point. After the computer lab, on the same day, you return the loaner laptop there as well.
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Can I simply borrow a loan laptop if I haven't got one of my own?
You must be able to show a valid ID and a digital student card when borrowing a loan laptop. Before the laptop is loaned to you, you will also be required to sign a loan agreement. You will be given a receipt when you return the laptop.
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What happens if my loan laptop gets damaged or lost?
It depends on the situation. Whether or not you can be held liable for the loss, damage or defect will be assessed in each separate case.
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What about the Internet connection at the university?
The computer-based course will be scheduled in seminar rooms with no computers but with excellent WiFi facilities. As a result, you will be able to make uninterrupted use of your laptop and the teaching application during the computer practical. You can log in to the 'Utrecht University' network for fast internet with your e-mail address and password.
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Where can I charge my laptop?
The computer-based course will be scheduled in seminar rooms which should in principle have enough connection points for you to charge your laptop. However, we cannot guarantee that this scenario will always be possible, as the availability will depend on the number of students wanting to use these power sockets at any one time. To this end, always ensure that the laptop which you bring to the university is fully charged.
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Can I store my laptop safely at the university?
The Langeveld and Sjoerd Groenman buildings each have a limited number of lockers in which you can safely store your laptop. Some of these lockers have a power outlet for you to charge your laptop.
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Do I have to buy the software myself?
Most of the teaching applications are available free of charge via SolisWorkspace. A range of other software will also be available to you free of charge during your study programme, including Microsoft 365 Pro Plus (Teams, Onedrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). You can find more information at https://students.uu.nl/en/free-software. To purchase anti-virus and anti-malware programs, please visit www.surfspot.nl. A computer room will be used for teaching applications not yet available via SolisWorkspace.
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Can I access SolisWorkspace immediately?
In order for you to use SolisWorkspace correctly, you will first need to install the Citrix Workspace App (Receiver) on your laptop. It is important that you do so before the beginning of the first computer practical. During the practical, the lecturer will not allow extra time to install it.
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Can I install the Citrix Workspace App (Receiver) myself?
On https://manuals.uu.nl/en/a-z/, under the 'S' of 'SolisWorkspace' you will find an extensive manual for installing the Citrix Workspace App (Receiver) on your laptop. Students who start in September can receive support during the Faculty Introduction with the installation of the Citrix Workspace App (Receiver). However, given the full programme of the Faculty Introduction, we advise you to try it yourself first.
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Where can I go if I have any questions about WiFi, SolisWorkspace and standard software?
First take a look at the manuals page to see if an answer or solution can be found there. Can't figure it out yourself? Please contact the IT Service Desk.
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