Your Computer at NC State

• Current for 2024-2025
• Updated each spring
• Available by New Student Orientation in late June

Contents

• NC State student computer requirement?
• College or department requirement
• BEFORE you buy…
  • Purchasing considerations
  • Recommendations for a new computer system
  • Alternate devices
  • Recommendations for a laptop you already own
  • Bring with your computer

  NC State student computer requirement?

  • NC State does not require you to have a computer, b ut your college or department may have a requirement or specific recommendation.
  • Most professors expect you to have access to a computer, either a personal one or a lab computer.
  • We strongly encourage you to have one.

  College or department requirement

  • College of Design
    See General Computer Purchase Information for Students
  • College of Education
    See 1:1 Laptop Initiative
  • College of Engineering
    See Student-Owned Computing.
  • Poole College of Management
    See Computer Purchase Information for Students.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine
    See College of Veterinary Medicine Computer Recommendation.
  • All other colleges and departments
    Follow the recommendations on this page.

  BEFORE you buy…

  Purchasing considerations

  • Compare machine types:
    • Business-class (recommended)
      More expensive but more durable, stable, standardized, & well-supported
    • Home use or consumer class
      Less expensive, may not hold up to rigorous academic use & transport
    • High performance or gamer class
      More expensive, with bleeding edge, sometimes poorly supported technology
    • Alternate devices
      Android, Chromebook, iPad, and iPad Pro devices cannot adequately substitute for a PC or Mac laptop or desktop.
    • Learn about any college or department requirement(above).
    • See Recommendations for a new computer system (below).
    • See Recommendations for a laptop you already own (below).
    • See special pricing for students at Wolfpack Outfitters Laptops & Tablets department.
    • Applicants for financial aid
      See Computer Purchase Request Form (PDF) to include a computer in your financial aid request.

    Recommendations for a new computer system

    Item	PC	Mac
    Type of machine	Business-class (See Compare machine types above.)	Any Apple Silicon based
    Mobile device (e.g., iPad Pro, tablet, Chromebook, Pixel Book)	Not recommended as a primary device; Cannot adequately substitute for PC laptop or desktop	Not recommended as a primary device; Cannot adequately substitute for Mac laptop or desktop
    CPU	Minimum: Intel i5 or i7, 12th generation

    Recommended: M1Pro or later

    Recommended: Pro or Educational

    Recommendations for a laptop you already own

    If your current laptop meets the following recommendations it MAY be sufficient for your first year or two.

    Item	Recommendation
    Age	Less than two years
    Processor	Intel i5 or i7 or Apple M1
    RAM	8 GB
    Operating System	Microsoft Windows 10 or later macOS 11 (Recommended: macOS 13)
    Battery Life	4 hours or longer
    Wireless	Yes
    Free Storage Space	80 GB

    Bring with your computer

    • Warranty information
    • Software license codes
    • Personal printer, if desired (wireless printers are not recommended)
      NOTE:WolfPrint FollowMe Printing offers fee-based printing at many campus locations.
    • Other needed peripherals and adapters (e.g. USB-C to USB-A)
    • USB hub for laptop models with limited USB ports; for Mac users a USB-C multiport adapter
    • HDMI adapter and/or cable
    • Surge protector

    Software

    • Antivirus – university requirement
      See NC State Antivirus Resources.
    • Licensed for free use
      • Microsoft Office 365, complete list of Software Licensing

      Maintenance and repair

      • Preventive maintenance will help you avoid many computer problems.
      • On-campus computer repairs

      Theft deterrence

      • Stay safe
        See Safe Computing at NC State.
      • Mark it
        The Wolf Guard ID Program can engrave your computer equipment with your driver’s license number.
        CAUTION: Do NOT engrave ANYTHING with your Social Security number.
      • Keep a record
        Keep a copy of your laptop’s serial number and your Ethernet and wireless card addresses in a safe place.

      Your Computer at NC State

      • Computer Repairs
      • Accidental Damage Coverage

      Hardware and Software

      • Your Computer at NC State
      • Unity Computer Labs
      • CrashPlan Backup Software Information