Student Owned Computing

Frequently Asked Questions

Purchasing Questions

Do I have to buy one of the models you recommend?

No, you do not. If you plan to purchase a laptop, just make sure that it meets the recommended specs and that you feel comfortable that whoever you buy it from will support it if something goes wrong.

How does the Tax Holiday work?

The tax holiday can get confusing, but here's what's important to remember: For a computer purchase to be tax-free, the financial transaction has to take place during the tax-free weekend. You can pick up the computer later than that if you'd like, but payment has to be made during the tax-free weekend.

How long will these recommended models last?

It's hard to predict this, of course. We configure these models with the idea that they'll still be useful tools in four years. When that day comes around, the laptop will not be top-of-the-line anymore, but neither should it feel obsolete. We attempt to recommend vendors with a good history as far as build quality is concerned.

What about netbooks?

Netbooks are small laptops that have grown in popularity over the last few months. Their small size and low prices are the main draws. However, the tradeoff is that their processors are very slow (on par with a Pentium III chip, released in 2002) and their 3d graphics capability is negligible. We do see many students around campus with netbooks, and they work fine for simple tasks like email, web surfing, word processing, and instant messaging, but are inadequate for processor-intensive applications as found in engineering classes.

Why do you recommend these manufacturers in particular?

We have recommended Lenovo (formerly IBM) ThinkPads since our pilot began in 2001. They have a great track record of durability and support. We've recommended Apples for three years now and they have similar benefits.

We are always open to new products and manufacturers if we feel they will serve our students well, and we evaluated units from many vendors in early 2009. After considering many topics, chiefly quality and support, we decided to add certain Dell models to the list. Dell is very well-known and popular, and even before we began recommending them, around 20% of our incoming freshmen arrived with Dell laptops. We expect that adding them as a recommended vendor will result in better pricing and support for our students who are interested in a Dell.

Why do you recommend some models from a certain manufacturer but not others?

Many manufacturers have multiple model lines for different client groups -- for instance, home/consumer lines, business lines, high-performance/gamer lines, etc. We tend to go with the business lines for a few reasons. They are generally built from higher quality materials and are sturdier than the cheaper home lines. On the other end, many high-performance systems use bleeding-edge technology that is poorly supported.

Due to the nature of business lines, where companies buy thousands of computers at a time, these models tend to be stable, durable, standardized and supported well for a long period of time. A model from a home or gamer line may work well for you, and you're free to bring one of those, but we feel most comfortable recommending the business lines.

You recommend a lot of models. Can you just tell me which one to buy?

All of the recommended models are good tools for an education at NC State. We recommend multiple models for a few reasons. Some people like to get a top of the line computer, some don't. Money is always a consideration, so we like to have a range of prices. Some people like to sacrifice screen size for lighter weight, and some feel the opposite way. And some people prefer Mac or PC.

If you can't decide based on any of these criteria, we'd suggest you go for a mid-range model. As always, feel free to contact us if you need assistance choosing.

What software do I need to buy?

The only package that you are expected to have when you arrive is Microsoft Office. You may need other software, but since it is dependent on the classes you will take, we recommend you wait on other software. Please see our Required Software Page for more details.

Other Questions

Do I need a printer?

Students can print to laser printers all over campus for 6 cents per black & white page and 25 cents per color page; for more info see the WolfPrint site. If you'd like to have a printer in your room, we suggest that you coordinate with your roommate -- one printer per dorm room should be enough.

Where can I get support if something goes wrong?

There are two help desks on campus that are happy to assist with your personal computing questions, and can help you work with the vendors as well if necessary.

For more: Getting Help

If I didn't buy my laptop through the NC State Bookstore, can I still get support?

We offer software and OS support for all of our students, regardless of whether their computer was purchased through the NC State Bookstore. Hardware repair for recommended vendors and help with depot (mail-in) repair, when applicable, is also offered regardless of where the computer was purchased, as long as the computer is covered under warranty.

Are computer labs being eliminated since students are expected to bring their own computers?

In the College of Engineering, there are many software packages that can not be installed on students' computers due to cost or licensing agreements, so labs are still a necessity despite the fact that most students own laptops.

As of Spring 2009, due to the ongoing budget crunch, the University is considering removing some labs as a cost-saving maneuver. However, there are no concrete plans to do so, and even if that occurs, the specialized Engineering labs will remain.

Do the dorms have wireless access?

NC State's wireless network does not cover residence hall rooms; the way the buildings are constructed keeps this from being feasible. However, students have ethernet ports in their rooms to access the network over a wired connection. Furthermore, students can bring and set up their own wireless access points for use in their rooms, provided these access points are set up correctly as per ResNet's site.

What's going to happen when Windows 7 comes out?

The next version of Windows, "Windows 7," is scheduled to be released, according to a blog entry, on October 22. Microsoft has not officially released information about the support of current operating systems nor upgrade options. Once they do, vendors will announce free upgrades from Vista to Windows 7 if you purchased a laptop after a certain date. The date is generally a few months before the new OS is released.

Will we use our laptops in every class?

Chances are that you will not actively use your laptop in every class. In some cases, you'll use your laptop every day; in others, you'll use it in class several times during the semester; and in some you may not use it at all unless you want to use it to take notes.