Laptop Accessibility For Students At Penn State University

Penn State University has a laptop requirement for students enrolling in specific courses. The College of IST, for instance, requires all new first-year undergraduate students to have their own laptops that meet or exceed the minimum technical specifications. The Bellisario College of Communications also has a similar requirement, as students use laptops for various tasks, including designing advertising campaigns, editing videos and photos, and writing news stories. The PGP Program also requires students to have their own laptops for coursework. While the University does not give laptops to students, it does offer resources to assist those without their own devices or internet access. Penn State also provides financial aid to help eligible students with the cost of purchasing a laptop.

Penn State's College of IST requires first-year students to have their own laptops

The College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at Penn State University Park has specific requirements for first-year students' laptops. All new first-year undergraduate students enrolled in the College of IST at University Park must have their own laptop that meets or exceeds the minimum technical specifications. This requirement ensures that students have access to the technology needed to complete their coursework and allows instructors to incorporate a standard of technology into their courses effectively.

The College of IST piloted this requirement in the 2021-2022 academic year, continuing it through 2022-2023. In 2023-2024, the Provost confirmed the success of the pilot, making owning a laptop a standard requirement for all first-year College of IST students. As of fall 2024, all College of IST undergraduate courses will be included in this requirement.

The minimum specifications for laptops are as follows:

• Enrolling Summer/Fall 2024 or Spring 2025: Windows 11, Intel i7 or equivalent AMD Ryzen processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, and hardware service warranty.
• Enrolled Summer/Fall 2023 or Spring 2024: Windows 10, Intel i7 or equivalent AMD Ryzen processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, and hardware service warranty.
• Enrolled Summer/Fall 2022 or Spring 2023: Windows 10, i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, and hardware service warranty.
• Enrolled Summer/Fall 2021 or Spring 2022: Windows 10, i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, and Bluetooth.

Additionally, the College of IST provides specific recommendations for Mac users, which can be found on their website.

Students can purchase laptops that meet the requirements from any vendor, but the Penn State Bookstore offers laptops at discounted rates, with some including multiyear support plans or promotional rebates. It is recommended that students wait until close to their enrollment date to maximize the machine's warranty during their time on campus.

While the College of IST has specific requirements, other colleges at Penn State, such as the College of Engineering, also recommend students bring their own laptops to fully benefit from academic activities and resources.

The university provides financial aid to help students buy laptops

The College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at Penn State University requires that all new first-year undergraduate students have their own laptop that meets or exceeds minimum technical specifications. The requirement ensures that students have access to the technology needed to complete coursework and allows instructors to effectively incorporate technology into their courses. While the university does not provide laptops to students, it does offer financial aid to help students buy laptops.

The university's financial aid program can assist students in purchasing a laptop that meets the college's requirements. The Penn State Bookstore offers laptops at a discounted rate, which can be shipped to the student or picked up on campus. The bookstore also provides multiyear support plans or promotional rebates with some laptop purchases.

Additionally, Penn State provides Office 365 at no charge for students, and specific software required for classes is generally provided by the university. This can help reduce the cost of purchasing additional software for students.

For students who do not have the minimum technology needed, the university offers resources to assist. Students can complete the Penn State Mobile Technology Request Form, and the university will follow up with them. The university also provides an IT Service Desk that offers 24/7 technology support for students with any technology-related questions or issues.

Overall, while Penn State University does not directly provide laptops to students, it offers financial aid and resources to help students purchase and maintain laptops that meet the required specifications.

The Penn State bookstore sells discounted laptops

The Penn State Bookstore offers a range of laptops at discounted rates for students. These laptops are available for shipping or can be picked up on campus. While students are free to purchase laptops from any vendor, the Penn State Bookstore is the preferred option as it offers multiyear support plans and promotional rebates.

The Bookstore's laptop selection includes various models that meet the minimum technical specifications required for first-year students at the College of IST. These specifications were piloted during the 2021-2022 academic year and have since become a standard requirement for all first-year College of IST students. The laptops available at the Bookstore are expected to last for four years, ensuring students can complete their coursework and access the necessary technology.

Students can view the full selection of laptops available at the Penn State Bookstore by visiting the website psu.bncollege.com. Here, they can browse through the different laptop models and choose one that meets their specific needs and requirements. The website also provides information about the technical specifications of each laptop, making it easier for students to make an informed decision.

In addition to laptops, the Penn State Bookstore also offers a range of computer supplies, accessories, and peripherals. This includes items such as headphones, speakers, and desktop sculptures. The Bookstore aims to cater to the technology needs of Penn State students and provide them with the necessary resources for their academic pursuits.

Furthermore, the University also provides several resources and support services related to technology. This includes the IT Service Desk, which offers 24/7 technology support for students. The University also provides web-based access to software, such as Canvas, Zoom, Office 365, and Kaltura, enabling students to interact with their instructors and classmates and complete their assignments effectively.

Students can borrow laptops from the campus library

Students at Penn State University can borrow laptops from the campus library. The Pattee Library at Penn State offers laptops for students to borrow for up to 7 days. A valid PSU ID is required to borrow a laptop, and students are responsible for any laptop borrowed on their account. The laptops are equipped with software available on computers in the Libraries and Labs at University Park.

The University also has resources to assist students who don't have their own device or internet access. Students can fill out the Penn State Mobile Technology Request Form or call 814-865-HELP (4357) to make a request for a computer or internet access.

Additionally, the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at Penn State has a requirement for all first-year students to own a laptop that meets or exceeds minimum technical specifications. The College provides detailed specifications for both Windows and Mac laptops, and students are recommended to purchase laptops that meet the recommended specifications. The Penn State Bookstore offers laptops at discounted rates, and students can also purchase laptops from other vendors that meet the required specifications.

Overall, while Penn State University encourages students to have their own laptops, especially in certain colleges, the University also provides options for students to borrow laptops from the campus library or request assistance if they don't have their own devices.

The university recommends specific laptop specifications

The College of Information, Sciences, and Technology (IST) at Penn State University has specific laptop specifications that students are recommended to follow. As of the 2023-2024 academic year, the College of IST requires all first-, second-, and third-year students to own a laptop that meets or exceeds the minimum technical specifications. This requirement will extend to all College of IST undergraduate courses starting in the fall of 2024.

The recommended specifications for Windows laptops for students enrolling in Summer/Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 are:

• Windows 11
• Intel i7 or equivalent AMD Ryzen processor
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB hard drive
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• Hardware service warranty

The recommended specifications for Mac laptops for the same period are:

• Mac OS Sonoma
• M3 or M3 Pro processor
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB hard drive
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• AppleCare

For students enrolling in Summer/Fall 2023 or Spring 2024, the recommended specifications for Windows laptops are:

• Windows 11
• Intel i7 or equivalent AMD Ryzen processor
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB hard drive
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• Hardware service warranty

And the recommended specifications for Mac laptops are:

• Mac OS Ventura
• M1 or M1 Pro processor
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB hard drive
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• AppleCare

It is important to note that while the university provides these recommended specifications, students can use any laptop that meets or exceeds the minimum technical specifications outlined. Additionally, the university recommends that students wait until close to their enrollment date to purchase a laptop to maximize the machine's warranty during their time on campus.

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