Depending on what you are studying, your IT requirements may vary slightly. If in doubt, please ask your department about specific hardware and software requirements. At the same time, it is not possible to make a general recommendation that takes into account both different specific preferences and financial resources.
Here are a few tips, without any claim to general validity or completeness:

Notebook or tablet? Or both?

If you have to choose between a tablet and a notebook, we recommend the notebook for your studies.

Advantages of a notebook

• cheaper overall: “more” features for the same price
• usually more powerful (important for specific software applications, computing power, coexistence of applications, battery performance,
• larger, cheaper hard disk
• usually more connections: e.g. USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, Displayport,
• good grip on uneven surfaces, e.g. on your knees, in the lecture hall
• convertible version with pen: tool for taking notes during lectures, for example
• larger selection of installable standard and special software (from Microsoft Office to STATA or SPSS)
• real file system to store files in an organized manner
• choice of a non-reflective screen (important for working outdoors)
• longer device service life because not tied to fixed update periods

Advantages of a tablet

• lighter, smaller à “always with you”
• good pen on top devices: ideal for taking notes and reading articles (incl. notes)
• specially developed apps, e.g. for pen input, for designing papers, for photo editing
• quicker ad hoc use
• can often be quickly converted into a kind of notebook by attaching a keyboard, but: additional costs! and operating system still offers less convenience than Windows or macOS for productive work on texts

Notebook hardware recommendations (as of 09/2024)

• At least 16 GB RAM
• At least 512 GB hard disk, even better 1 TB, but: it is essential to store large amounts of important data externally (cloud and external disks) so that a device could break or be stolen at any time
• At least I7 Pentium, AMD Ryzen 5 or M2 Apple processor
• At least 13” large screen
• Longest possible battery life (compare test reports!)
• Several USB-C or Thunderbolt ports if possible
• If possible, HDMI or DisplayPort to be able to connect an external monitor
• Make sure that the device runs quietly! à fanless or explicitly labeled as “quiet”
• preferably with keyboard illumination
• if affordable, pay attention to the warranty period, if possible choose to keep the hard disk in the event of a warranty claim

Software (as of 09/2024)

• Recommended operating systems: Windows or IOS instead of Linux or ChromeOS
  • Easy to use, even with more complex requirements
  • Easiest way to exchange files in the most common formats
  • Real file storage and management
  • Best way to install standard and special software
  • Highest degree of popularity: long product support and chance that many people in the environment are experienced
  • Advantage over ChromeOS: ability to work offline and generally more stable hardware

Recommendation for software

Sophos Home virus protection
Microsoft Office 365 WLAN / eduroam
Zoom for online events (license activation via “Login” button)
Cisco software to create VPN tunnels to the university network

During your studies you will need both standard and specialized software. The RRZK offers many software titles, e.g. Microsoft Office and several scientific applications. In addition, the WiSo Faculty has licensed the following software for its employees and students:

STATA

You may use STATA as long as you are enrolled at the WiSo Faculty and the license is valid, currently until December 14th, 2025. The duration of the new license will be announced on this page as soon as it is available. You can apply for a STATA license using the web form below. You may only use the software yourself and not pass it on to third parties.

Qualtrics

You can apply for an account for Qualtrics via the web form. The account is valid as long as the license is valid (currently until April 30th, 2026) and you are enrolled at the WiSo Faculty. The account is issued for one year at a time.