The College of Engineering has recommended since 2001 that students own or have access to a personal computer. The College expects all incoming undergraduate students to have a laptop computer that meets college specifications.

Students with their own computers are able to run software bundled with textbooks, or which their instructors may distribute or require. They have round-the-clock access to mail, web, and the many network-based and remote-access services that their classes rely on. In addition, they are able to work at home rather than in the labs and install software of their choosing, which is not permitted on university-owned computers.

The recommended minimum specifications are published each spring for the upcoming school year (minimum specs for Fall 2007 are located here). The laptops that students bring need to run a current commercial operating system. Hardware manufacturers can vary because of the open platform model the college has adopted.

Special prices for laptops have been arranged with Lenovo and Apple. These laptops are available for purchase by any NCSU faculty, staff, or student. Pricing for Fall 2007 is currently available and can be found at the purchasing page.

Since 2005, E115: Introduction to Computing Environments, a required course for all COE students, has focused on students taking personal responsibility for their own computers, maintaining them, and interfacing effectively with campus resources. Remote-access services and specialized labs will be central to this next-generation Eos at NCSU.

In preparation for widespread laptop ownership, the college ran a five-year pilot project from 2001-2006 to explore how laptop computers and wireless connectivity can enhance undergraduate engineering education. More information involving assessment of this pilot can be found on our assessment page .