Student Technology Support
We’re here to make things easier as a student at the McCombs School of Business. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to choose a laptop that meets McCombs hardware and software recommendations, get it set up, and find information about technology support provided by McCombs Technology Solutions.

Laptop Recommendations

Every student attending McCombs must provide their own laptop. We recommend a Windows device. This is because some elective courses require software that is only available for Windows. If you have a Mac device and need to run Windows-exclusive software, you’ll be responsible for setting up the necessary configuration.

Minimum Recommendation
Processor Intel Core Ultra i5 processor or corresponding AMD
Hard Drive 250 GB with 80+ GB free space
Memory (RAM) 16 GB
Video Card Integrated Graphics
Webcam with microphone 720p or higher
Warranty 3 Years Parts and Labor with Accidental Protection
Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n
Region U.S. only
Minimum Recommendation
Operating System

Windows 11 Pro or Education 64-bit

macOS 15 Sonoma
Productivity Software Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus 32-bit (See instructions below to download for free)
Antivirus Avast (Click link for instructions to download for free)

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Need help? We provide best-effort technical support for your device to currently enrolled business majors whose laptops meet our minimum hardware and software requirements. “Best effort” means that while we cannot promise we will solve all your problems, we will do our best to help you.

Installation & Troubleshooting

Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting applications and tools, including:

  • Wireless and wired connections
  • Printers
  • Active versions of Microsoft Windows
  • Active versions of Microsoft Office Suite
  • McCombs-supported applications
UT Account Assistance

Need help with your UT account? We can assist with:

  • Password resets
  • Access issues
Virus & Spyware Help

Got a virus? We can offer basic advice on how you can remove the virus from your device.

What We Can't Do

While we’d love to help with everything, there are a few things we don’t provide support for:

  • Data backup & retrieval (but we can recommend trusted services)
  • Hardware repair or depot (shipping/receiving) services
  • Home or work network connectivity
  • Third-party peripherals (digital cameras, televisions, etc.)
  • Support for McCombs alumni

Microsoft 365

Enrolled students may download and install Microsoft 365 apps for free on any combination of up to 5 personally owned computing devices – such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Follow the steps below to download and install Microsoft 365 apps.

Note: Your UT email account must be ready to download and install Microsoft 365 apps.

  1. 1. Visit the Microsoft login page.
  2. 2. Log in using your UT EID.
  3. 3. On the top-right side of the page, click Install apps > Microsoft 365 apps.

McCombs Email Addresses

Official Student Email Addresses

Starting Spring 2025, the University of Texas at Austin is implementing a campus-wide official student email policy. For more information, visit: Official Student Email | Enterprise Technology.

Microsoft 365 Account Management

Within the Office 365 Management page, students can update their email display name and view links to various email related resources, such as forwarding instructions, mail rules, Office 365 installation, and more.

MBA Students: Branded Email Addresses

Beginning in the Fall of 2025, McCombs will no longer issue MBA branded email addresses (@mba.utexas.edu). Graduate students who entered prior to the Fall of 2025 who already have a branded MBA email addresses are not affected by this change. Existing branded MBA email addresses will continue to be supported for students graduating through Spring 2026 and will follow the standard post-graduation transition process. The purpose of the change was to simplify operations and improve consistency across McCombs operations processes.

Student Computers