Hardware considerations when purchasing a computer for the College of Engineering
The College of Engineering recommends that all incoming students own a desktop, laptop, or similarly powerful tablet.
Please consider our recommended specifications in the following table for new computers and laptops:
Apple devices
You may notice that Apple hardware is not listed. Many applications used by College of Engineering students are only compatible with Windows. Apple devices roughly between the years of 2012 to 2020 with Intel CPUs offer Boot Camp which will allow you to partition your hard drive and install Windows on an Mac (More details here). However, many students using Macs find this complicated and time consuming.
Instead, for Mac users, we highly recommend using the Eos Virtual Lab environment to access Windows applications. We also offer on campus Eos Labs.
Discrete Graphics Cards
For Civil, Industrial, Mechanical, Aerospace, and Chemical Engineering Students, having a computer equipped with a discrete graphics card either from AMD or Nvidia is needed for some software to run optimally.
Warranty Information
We recommend warranties that are backed by the manufacturers themselves (as opposed to third-party warranties offered by retailers) so you can get service no matter where you are when a problem occurs.
There are repair technicians on-campus at the OIT Walk-In Center who can provide hardware repairs for computers and laptops from Dell, Apple, and Lenovo that are under manufacturer warranty or CPS warranty.