If you are looking to purchase a computer to be used for your coursework, please note the recommendation below. Recommendations have been provided by individual schools and colleges. If you have questions, please contact your school or college directly.
PLEASE NOTE: All Syracuse University students are encouraged to have a computer running Microsoft Office or Office 365. Syracuse University students can download and install Microsoft Office desktop applications on up to five computers (PC, Mac) and five mobile devices (iOS, Android). The subscription also includes Windows 10 if you need it. And it’s FREE! For details, please visit https://answers.syr.edu/x/OgGDAw.
| School or College | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| School of Architecture | You will use computers for CAD, 3D modeling, graphic design and architecture-specific applications. Macintosh users will need to run Windows in order to use certain programs. For more information visit http://soa.syr.edu/compbuy. |
| College of Arts & Sciences | A&S students should have their own Macintosh or Windows computer, preferably a laptop. |
| School of Education | SOE students are encouraged to have a laptop computer with Microsoft Office or Office 365. Students who are dually enrolled with music or art education should check The College of Visual and Performing Arts' recommendations to ensure they have the computer and software required. |
| College of Engineering and Computer Science | E&CS students are strongly encouraged to have a notebook computer and Microsoft Office 365; for more specific information visit https://answers.syr.edu/x/0gGFAg |
| Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics | Students should have a personal laptop or desktop computer running Microsoft Office or Office 365. |
| School of Information Studies | iSchool students must have a laptop with Windows 10, MacOS or Linux. Chromebooks are not adequate. Several courses use Windows applications, which Mac users can run in our physical labs or, in some cases, via virtualization. Unless a student is technically capable, a Windows laptop is recommended, with a minimum of 8GB RAM (16GB if attempting virtualization using VMware, VirtualBox or Parallels), an HDMI adapter, and 25GB of storage reserved for iSchool courses. Visit http://ischool.syr.edu/it for more information. |
| College of Law | College of Law students are required to arrive with a laptop in good working condition and to maintain that laptop in good working condition for the time they are here. Your laptop will be your primary computer for the three years you are in law school. |
| The Martin J. Whitman School of Management | For information on computer hardware and software recommendations for incoming Whitman School of Management students, please visit http://whitman.syr.edu/techrecs. |
| Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs | Students are encouraged to have their own laptop, preferably with Microsoft Office or Office 365. 8-16GB of RAM is recommended for students using statistical software such as SPSS. |
| S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications | Recommend students bring a computer with Microsoft Office or Office 365. Newhouse provides extensive access to lab computers for completing class-related work, but students should be able to check email, browse the web and write papers outside of the labs. |
| College of Visual and Performing Arts | For information on computer hardware and software recommendations for incoming Visual and Performing Arts students, please visit http://vpa.syr.edu/computingrecommendations. |
| University College (Continuing Education) | Students should have access to a personal desktop or laptop computer running the Microsoft Office Suite or Office 365. Refer to the appropriate school or college for requirements specific to your program of study. |