The following information is provided to assist you in making your purchase. Memory and CPU in these recommendations assume that a laptop needs to last a student four years. Lesser laptops will work for a student, but will not be as fast as the software demands change over time.

All OSU students have free access to Microsoft Office 365 to install on their personally owned computers (Mac and/or PC).

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 shrink wrapped software such as Microsoft Office.

Recommended minimum hardware specifications for new purchase
(if you have any questions, contact coe.support@oregonstate.edu)
PC
Mac
Intel Core i5 or i7, or AMD A8 and AMD A10 APU
8GB RAM
Microsoft Windows
Wireless: 5 GHz-capable dual-band, often labeled as 802.11ac, 802.11a/n, 802.11abgn
Webcam with microphone
Intel Core i5 or i7
8GB RAM
 
Wireless: built-in non-configurable.
 
Webcam with microphone
Getting Software For Your Laptop

 

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

If you choose to purchase an Apple laptop, you will likely need to run Windows software either via virtualization software, or the College of Engineering's Citrix Virtual App or Virtual Desktop solution.

 

Other Laptop Purchase Options: