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Laptop Purchasing Guidlines

The following information is provided to assist you in making your purchase. Please note that all laptops are required to have wireless network adapters.

Virtually all the software you will need for your classes will be available to you either free or at a substantial discounts through campus channels. We do not recommend that you pay any extra money for bundled or shrinkwrapped software such as Microsoft Office.

Minimum hardware specifications for new purchase
(if you have any questions, contact support@engr.oregonstate.edu)
PC
(strongly recommended for most engineering applications)
Mac
(Must be able to run Windows XP either through Boot Camp, or Parallels)
Intel Core Duo, AMD Turion or 2GHz Intel Centrino
1GB RAM
Microsoft Windows XP (Vista is acceptable for new laptop purchases)
802.11b/g wireless
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
1GB RAM
Apple Mac OS X and/or Windows XP
802.11b/g wireless
Getting Software For Your Laptop
  • Obtaining Software for Personal Computer or Laptop
  • Microsoft Developer's Network Academic Alliance
  • OSUWare CD
  • OSU Bookstore

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    *Windows Required for Many Engineering Applications*

    Note that many departments will require you to run software that is Microsoft Windows only.

    While it is possible to install and run Windows XP on an intel-based Apple MacBook or MacBook Pro there may be some hardware or software incompatibilities. Also, our laptop support helpdesk is geared toward providing support to laptop PCs runing Windows. Please take these facts into consideration when choosing a laptop.

    Other Laptop Purchase Options: