While you are at the university, your department may provide you with a desktop computer to carry out your work/research. For most people this will be a Windows PC running Windows 7, but for some it will be an Apple Macintosh computer running OS X and for an even smaller number of people it will be a unix based workstation.

Information Services provides and supports a 'standard desktop' for both Windows and Macintosh users which offers the following advantages:

• The computers are installed with a range of standard software that the university has 'site licences' for (includes the Microsoft Office suite, virus protection etc)
• The computers are specially configured for use at university, with relevant short-cuts and important services such as email, ready to run
• The computers and their owners benefit from full technical support via the Helpdesk. Technicians are able to provide faster resolutions to problems.
• Training programmes can provide more specific help tailored to the needs of university staff