BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
Studying on your personal computer
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) refers to the use of your personal devices for study and work purposes while inside HAMK’s premises. Your studies at HAMK will not always be tied to any specific times or classroom facilities. Your studies will include digital learning environments and materials.
Beginning in autumn 2021, all students will be required to bring their own personal laptops. We recommend using the 64-bit version of Windows as your laptop’s operating system. However, if your studies involve more demanding IT tasks or the use of specialist software tools, these study tasks can be completed using HAMK’s own computers, so you will not be required to purchase an especially powerful computer. Remember to check your study programme’s technical recommendations when purchasing your own computer (see the list below).
If you intend to use your employer’s computer during your studies, you must have administrator rights to it so that you will be able to install the programs required during your studies.
The settings, applications and – above all – information security of the computers owned by HAMK are carefully managed; however, the responsibility for the settings, applications and information security of the students’ own computers is the responsibility of the students themselves. Our goal is to help students who use their own computers so that they will be able to use HAMK’s IT services on their own computers and manage the information security of their computers.
In addition to your computer you will also need a headset (to listen to videos) and a wireless mouse (to help using applications). Your computer will sometimes be connected to a data projector with a hdmi cable. Your computer should have a hdmi port (type A) or you should buy a hdmi adapter (type A) that fits into your computer.
Where can students ask for help if they have any problems that are related to the use of their own computers?
Students are provided with assistance for any issues related to their personal computers if the computer or IT service issue is related to their studies. In addition, students can always ask for advice and help on any matters related to information security and data protection.
In any of the cases referred to above, students can contact the ServiceDesk IT service either by phone (+358 3 646 3000) or online (https://servicedesk.hamk.fi). In addition, the Hämeenlinna University Centre includes an IT service desk (building C, ground floor) where students can ask for advice or help if they have any issues with using their own computers if the computer issue is related to their studies.
Students are provided with written instructions, the on-duty attendant can phone the student, or, if necessary, a local IT support person can schedule an appointment with the student. Usually, the service desk will attempt to solve the matter by providing the student with the right instructions.
What type of laptop should I get?
Generally speaking, the price range of a laptop determines what it can be used for. You do not need a touch screen on a laptop. Below, we have divided a range of laptops into three categories, depending on their intended use. If your work involves the use of design software, you will benefit from having a more powerful graphics processing unit (GPU) as well as more RAM. The more powerful the laptop, the more you can do with it. The most demanding tasks must be done on HAMK’s own computers.
Laptop categories
1. Basic software use – starting at €450
- Processor: Intel i3 or an equivalent AMD option
- RAM: at least 8 Gb
- GPU: no special requirements
- Display resolution: 1920 x 1080 recommended
- Storage space: at least 250 Gb
- HDMI port (type A) or HDMI adapter (type A)
- Windows 10 or 11 64-bit
2. Basic-level graphic design tasks – starting at €700
- Processor: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
- RAM: at least 16 Gb
- GPU: at least Intel HD/UHD Graphics or similar
- Display resolution: minimum 1920 x 1080
- Storage space: at least a 500 Gb SSD
- HDMI port (type A) or HDMI adapter (type A)
- Windows 10 or 11 64-bit
3. CAD & 3D modelling and heavy-duty graphic design tasks – starting at €1,000
- Processor: at least Intel i5 or Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or AMD Ryzen 7
- RAM: at least 16 Gb
- GPU (important component!): a powerful NVIDIA Quadro or NVIDIA GeForce GTX/RTX GPU or an equivalent AMD option
- Display resolution: minimum 1920 x 1080
- Display size: 15.6 inches recommended
- Storage space: at least a 500 Gb SSD
- HDMI port (type A) or HDMI adapter (type A)
- Windows 10 or 11 64-bit
Degree Programme related recommended categories
| Bioeconomy Engineering | 2 |
| Computer Applications | 2-3 |
| Construction Engineering | 3 |
| Electrical and Automation Engineering | 3 |
| International Business | 1-2 |
| Management in Sustainable Business | 1-2 |
| Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology | 1-3 |
| Smart and Sustainable Design | 2-3 |
| Smart Organic Farming | 1 |
| Business Management and Entrepreneurship | 1-2 |
| Sustainable Technologies | 2 |
| Master’s Degree Programmes conducted in Finnish | 2-3 |
Operating system
We recommend using the 64-bit version of Windows as your laptop’s operating system. Windows S-mode does NOT work in your studies. The professional programs used at HAMK are Windows programs whose use does not require a touch screen. Only some of the software used for study-related purposes can be accessed with a personal laptop, and all other programs are available on HAMK’s computers.
You can also use a Linux or Apple MacOS computer with certain restrictions for your studies. Running any of the Windows-based professional applications will require the use of separate virtualisation software (often not free).
HAMK local and distance education uses own devices for learning (BYOD). In both face-to-face and distance education, teachers mainly use Windows computers, and they are best able to advise on the functions of Windows computers in error situations. In general, most of the programs used in the lesson also work on Mac and Linux computers, but there are also a few programs in the lesson that require a Windows workstation.
You can also complete your studies on a Mac computer, but in this case you will have to use Windows virtual machines during your studies. The alternatives are running the programs from our distance learning environment (HAMK VDI / vCommander) or on your own computer.
We recommend owners of Mac computers to use Parallels software, which enables Windows programs to run. Parallels and other software used in teaching are heavy, so we also recommend that Apple computers have at least 16 GB of memory and an M2 series processor. The recommendation applies to level 2-3 in the computer recommendation for educational programs.
You can download the Parallels software from https://www.parallels.com/landingpage/pd/education/. You can get the student discount by HAMK email. The order process goes as follows “Buy now -> Can’t find your institution? -> enter my.email@student.hamk.fi
To access the virtual Windows machines on a Linux or Apple MacOS computer, you can use the free VMware VDI client software. Only some of the Windows-based professional applications can be found on the virtual Windows machines (VDI machines).
Wireless network
HAMK has an extensive wireless network (WLAN) that students can connect to with their own laptops. You can use either the Eduroam network (recommended) or the HAMKvisitor network, the password for which is available on the notice boards. Students can connect to the Eduroam network by using their personal username and password. The Eduroam network is available in most higher education institutions in Finland and in many higher education institutions in Europe.
Data storage
HAMK provides storage space for both personal use (the so-called home directory) and for common use on the shared network drives. In addition, you can also use the OneDrive for Business cloud storage service. However, be aware that synchronising your OneDrive account to your own computer may take up all of your space if you have uploaded a large number of files to the service.
The Myfiles service allows you to access HAMK’s network drives on your own devices and outside HAMK’s network with just a web browser.
Printing
You can print to many of HAMK’s printers using your own device. Colour printing options are also available. All students are provided with a printing quota, and after you have exceeded your quota, you will be required to pay for any further printouts.
Software for your personal computer
Certain sites allow students to purchase software at student prices or download software free of charge. Microsoft provides the complete Microsoft 365 ProPlus package (which includes Word, Excel and Powerpoint) free of charge to all students for the duration of their studies. The Microsoft 365 package can be installed on five PC/Mac computers as well as five tablets.
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Connecting remotely
Students are provided with the opportunity to use virtual machines (so-called VDI workstations) during the course of their studies, and these virtual machines can also be accessed outside of HAMK. This allows students to access almost all services and applications that are available on HAMK’s network. For more information on how to use the virtual machines, ask the teacher of the module.
Microsoft 365 services
HAMK has signed an agreement with Microsoft to provide its students with Microsoft 365 cloud services.
Microsoft 365 is a collection of applications and services that are in a cloud. You can access these services from anywhere with a Web browser:
- Outlook-email and calendar
- People -personel catalog
- OneDrive for Business
- SharePoint
- Teams
- Tasks
- Microsoft 365 WebApps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)
- Yammer
- Delve
- Sway
- Groups
- Planner
- Forms
- PowerApps and Flow
Moodle
Moodle is digital learning environment used by HAMK in online study and as part of contact teaching. Moodle often contains the materials, online discussion forums, links to collaboration platforms like Teams, assignments as well as submission platforms that you will use during your studies.
Online meetings
Students can use Teams to conduct their online meetings and teamwork assignments. HAMK’s online learning also utilises the Zoom cloud service, depending on the module in question. In order to get the best features of Teams, the app must be installed on your computer.
Further information:
MOT Language Services
Students can use the MOT Language Services cloud service, which includes dictionaries as well as language-proofing and machine translation tools.
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