Lori Meadows
Penn State offers a range of Information Technology (IT) resources to support students in their academic pursuits. While the university does not provide laptops to students, it does have specific minimum technical specifications that students' personal laptops must meet. These specifications ensure students can effectively utilize technology in their courses and complete assignments. The Penn State Bookstore offers laptops at discounted rates, and students can access free software, Wi-Fi, and other IT services to enhance their educational experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Penn State University give laptops to students? | No, students are required to have their own laptops. |
| Are there any specifications for the laptop? | Yes, the laptop should meet the minimum technical specifications. |
| Where can students buy the laptops? | Students can buy laptops from the Penn State Bookstore at a discounted rate or from the manufacturer and electronic stores. |
| Are there any recommendations for the laptop? | It is recommended to buy a current generation Apple MacBook Pro or a laptop with Windows 11, Intel i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, and Bluetooth. |
| Are there any IT resources available for students? | Yes, Penn State offers many Information Technology (IT) resources, including the Research Network for graduate students and the IT Service Desk for troubleshooting. |
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What You'll Learn
- Penn State College of IST requires first-year students to own a laptop
- Penn State provides IT resources and assistance to students
- The University offers discounted laptops for purchase
- Students can borrow laptops from Penn State University Libraries
- Bellisario College of Communications recommends laptop specifications
Penn State College of IST requires first-year students to own a laptop
The College of IST at Penn State requires all new first-year undergraduate students to own a laptop that meets or exceeds minimum technical specifications. This requirement ensures students have access to the technology needed to complete coursework and participate in class assignments. It also allows instructors to effectively incorporate technology into their courses.
The minimum and recommended technical specifications are provided by the College of IST, and students can purchase laptops that meet these requirements from any vendor. However, the Penn State Bookstore offers several laptops at discounted rates, and some of these solutions come with multiyear support plans or promotional rebates. Students who already own a laptop that meets the minimum specifications do not need to purchase a new one.
The College of IST piloted this laptop requirement in the 2021-2022 academic year, and it was continued through the 2022-2023 academic year. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the requirement was confirmed as a success and was made a standard for all first-year students.
Other colleges at Penn State, such as the College of Engineering, have also implemented similar technology requirements for students. The College of Engineering recommends specific laptop models and provides information on how to access lab systems remotely. Additionally, the Bellisario College of Communications provides laptop recommendations, suggesting that students invest more in memory (RAM) than hard drive storage.
Penn State offers a range of IT services and resources to support students, including the Connect to Tech program, which provides access to knowledge articles, troubleshooting, and technical support. The University also offers a multi-disciplinary academic assistance program with technology tool assistance available online via Zoom.
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Penn State provides IT resources and assistance to students
Penn State offers a wide range of Information Technology (IT) resources and assistance to its students to ensure they have a positive and equitable experience during their time at the University.
The College of IST requires that all new first-year undergraduate students have their own laptops that meet or exceed the minimum technical specifications. The College of IST has outlined the minimum requirements and recommended specifications for laptops, which include specific CPU, GPU, and RAM configurations. Students can purchase laptops that meet these specifications at a discounted rate from the Penn State Bookstore, either online or on campus.
The University also provides a central hub called "Connect to Tech," where students can access a comprehensive list of IT services, knowledge articles, and request technical support. The IT Service Desk offers troubleshooting assistance with technical services, programs, and devices through various channels, including on-campus locations, phone, and online chat. Additionally, the Knowledge Base within "Connect to Tech" provides step-by-step instructions, general information, and frequently asked questions about Penn State's IT services.
The Research Network is another valuable resource offered by Penn State, specifically designed for graduate student researchers. It provides secure and high-performance research data transfers, enabling students to efficiently manage their research data.
Furthermore, Penn State also offers a multi-disciplinary academic assistance program that supports individual and group tutoring. This program is staffed by undergraduate tutors, content experts, scholars in residence, and professional and administrative staff members, ensuring that students can receive academic support tailored to their needs.
Beyond IT resources, Penn State provides a range of support services for students in need. The Fostering Lions Program (FLP) assists former and current foster youth in improving their post-secondary education outcomes by offering a support services network. Additionally, the University provides resources for students facing financial difficulties, food or housing insecurity, and other challenges. These resources include the Lion's Pantry, addressing student hunger, and various state and federal assistance programs.
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The University offers discounted laptops for purchase
The College of Information Science and Technology at Penn State University requires that all new first-year undergraduate students have their own laptop that meets or exceeds minimum technical specifications. This requirement is intended to ensure that students have a device that should last for four years, and allows them access to the level of technology needed to complete coursework.
While the university does not provide laptops to students, it does offer discounted laptops for purchase. The Penn State Bookstore has several laptops available at a discounted rate, which can be shipped to the student or picked up on campus. Students are encouraged to purchase laptops that meet the recommended specifications, but if they already have a laptop that meets the minimum specifications, they will not need to purchase a new one.
The Bookstore's full selection of laptops can be viewed at psu.bncollege.com. Students can purchase any laptop that meets the requirements from any vendor, but the university encourages students to purchase through the Bookstore as some solutions come with multiyear support plans or promotional rebates.
Additionally, Penn State community members can take advantage of exclusive discounts on Apple products. The HP Employee Purchase Program (EPP) offers HP consumer products at discounts of up to 10% off starting prices, with instant rebates, coupons, and sales promotions that can be combined for typical savings of 20-30% off.
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Students can borrow laptops from Penn State University Libraries
Students at Penn State University can borrow laptops from the Pattee Library for up to seven days. To borrow a laptop, a valid PSU ID is required. There is a fee of $25 per day for overdue laptops, and if the laptop is not returned within four days of the due date, an additional $2,500 may be charged on top of the overdue fees. Upon returning the laptop, any files saved to the laptop during use will be deleted, so students are advised to always make copies of their work before returning the device.
The University also provides Omnicharge portable chargers to charge USB and AC-powered devices, including laptops. Students can download the Omnipower app to activate a charger for free for 24 hours. After 24 hours, a late fee of $10 per day is incurred.
The Maker Commons within the Knowledge Commons at Pattee and Paterno Library provides access to 3D printing and DIY electronic components. The IT Walk-ups are a technology support centre for students, faculty, staff, and retirees in three locations on the University Park Campus: the Pollock Commons, the Findlay Commons, and the Knowledge Commons in the Pattee Library. Here, specialists can help with issues like connecting to the network, installing and removing software, and troubleshooting problems with personal devices.
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Bellisario College of Communications recommends laptop specifications
The Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State provides recommendations for laptop specifications for its students. While the college does not provide laptops to its students, it does offer financial assistance to those who need help purchasing a laptop. The college recommends that students purchase a current-generation Apple MacBook Pro. Laptops running the Windows operating system are also acceptable, provided they meet the minimum specifications.
The college emphasizes the importance of an external hard drive with a solid-state drive and a minimum of 1TB storage capacity for storing projects and transferring them between the laptop and other workstations. Additionally, a higher number of processing "cores" is recommended for Apple laptops to shorten processing and rendering times. Students are advised to prioritize investing in more memory (RAM) over hard drive capacity, as external hard drives can be purchased separately in a more cost-effective manner.
The college also provides specific processor recommendations, suggesting an Intel 11th Generation Core i5 CPU with a built-in Intel DirectX 12 GPU or an AMD Ryzen 3000 equivalent. For higher performance, an Intel 12th Generation or higher Core i5 CPU with a built-in Intel DirectX 12.1 or higher GPU, or an AMD Ryzen 5000 equivalent or higher (Core i7 or Core i9), is recommended.
It is worth noting that some components may not be upgradable after purchase, so students are advised to carefully consider their laptop model and specifications. The college also recommends that students refrain from purchasing new computer hardware or software until a month before the start of classes to maximize the warranty and longevity of their purchases.
Overall, the Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State aims to provide its students with the necessary technology recommendations to ensure a successful academic experience, and students are encouraged to refer to the college's website for the most up-to-date information.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Penn State University does not provide laptops to students. However, the university offers many Information Technology (IT) resources to support students. The Penn State Bookstore also offers laptops at discounted rates.
The laptop requirements for students at Penn State University vary depending on the college and course. For instance, the College of IST requires all first-year students to own a laptop that meets or exceeds minimum technical specifications. The minimum specifications include Windows 11, an Intel i7 or equivalent AMD Ryzen processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a hardware service warranty.
Yes, educational discounts are often available for students, especially during the summer. Leasing is also an option if the cost is an issue.
