In the 2021-2022 academic year, the College of IST piloted a requirement that all first-year students must own a laptop computer that met or exceeded minimum technical specifications. The pilot was continued through the 2022-2023 academic year. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the Provost confirmed the success of the pilot initiative and made owning a laptop a standard requirement for all first-year College of IST students. As such, starting in fall 2023, all first-, second-, and third-year College of IST undergraduate courses and sections will require students, regardless of their major at the University, to own their own laptop. Starting in fall 2024, all College of IST undergraduate courses will be included in the requirement.
If you need additional technical support for the student laptop requirement, email helpdesk@ist.psu.edu.
You can review the information shared with students about this requirement at ist.psu.edu/laptop.
Technical Specifications
Windows Laptop
- Minimum Specifications: Windows 10, Intel i7 or equivalent AMD Ryzen processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, Hardware service warranty
- Recommended Specifications: Windows 11, Intel i7 or equivalent AMD Ryzen processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, Hardware service warranty
Mac Laptop
- Minimum Specifications: Mac OS Monterey, M1 processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB Hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, AppleCare
- Recommended Specifications: Mac OS Ventura, M1 or M1 Pro processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB Hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, AppleCare
Windows Laptop
- Minimum Specifications: Windows 10, i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, Hardware service warranty
- Recommended Specifications: Windows 11, Intel i7 or equivalent AMD Ryzen processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, Hardware service warranty
Mac Laptop
- Minimum Specifications: Mac OS Big Sur, M1 processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB Hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, AppleCare
- Recommended Specifications: Mac OS Monterey, M1 or M1 Pro processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB Hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, AppleCare
Windows Laptop
- Minimum Specifications: Windows 10, i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth
- Recommended Specifications: Windows 10, i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, Hardware service warranty
Mac Laptop
- Minimum Specifications: Mac OS Big Sur, i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB Hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth
- Recommended Specifications: Mac OS Big Sur, M1 processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB Hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, AppleCare
Teaching and Learning Resources
