Technical Specifications
Incoming first-year IST students enrolling in the College of IST at University Park must have a laptop that meets or exceeds the following specifications:
The information below is intended for first-year students enrolling in the College of IST at University Park in summer 2023 or after. If you enrolled in the college before this date and have questions about the laptop requirement, please email laptop@ist.psu.edu
The College of IST requires that all new first-year students enrolled in the college at University Park have their own laptop that meets or exceeds minimum technical specifications. Minimum requirements and recommended specifications are listed below under the "Technical Specifications" heading.
This requirement is intended to ensure students have a device that should last for four years, ensures students have access to a level of technology needed to complete coursework, and allows instructors to effectively incorporate a standard of technology into their courses. Students may be required to bring their laptops to class.
Over time, having a personal laptop that meets certain standards better positions students to complete assignments, collaborate effectively with classmates, receive hands-on instruction, and make use of flexible educational environments. Ultimately, it supports an equitable Penn State experience and prepares students with the digital fluency needed to create new knowledge and thrive in emerging careers.
Incoming first-year IST students enrolling in the College of IST at University Park must have a laptop that meets or exceeds the following specifications:
Students can purchase a laptop that meets the college’s requirement at any time before arriving on campus. However, we recommend students wait until close to their enrollment date to purchase a laptop to maximize the machine’s warranty for their time on campus.
Students who are purchasing a new laptop are encouraged to purchase one that meets the recommended specifications.
Students who already have a laptop that meets the minimum specifications will not need to purchase a new one.
Penn State Bookstore has several laptops available for purchase at a discounted rate, which can be shipped to the student or picked up on campus. While students can purchase any laptop that meets these requirements from any vendor, we strongly encourage that they are purchased through the Bookstore as some of these solutions come with multiyear support plans or promotional rebates.
Students who are eligible for the College of IST’s one-time technology scholarship can also apply these funds to the purchase of a laptop directly at checkout from the Bookstore any time before September 8, 2023. More information on the one-time technology scholarship and how to apply the scholarship at checkout, can be found below.
You can view the Bookstore’s full selection of laptops at psu.bncollege.com.
College of IST students who have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the University that shows demonstrated need will be considered for a one-time technology scholarship to help offset some or all of the cost of this requirement.
To ensure consideration for the one-time technology scholarship, students must meet all of the following criteria:
Students who are eligible for the one-time technology scholarship will be notified by email and mail by summer 2023.Timing of notifications is on a per-student basis and is based on the timing of the student's admissions decision and whether a FAFSA has been processed by the University.
Scholarship funds will be available to eligible students approximately two weeks after they attend a New Student Orientation session. After the College of IST confirms the student's New Student Orientation attendance and first semester’s course registration, they will receive a follow-up message to their Penn State email that outlines the process for applying scholarship funds toward the laptop at the time of purchase from the Bookstore, which is also outlined below.
Students who are eligible for the scholarship but who do not purchase a laptop through the Bookstore will have the scholarship funds deposited to their Bursar account in the fall semester.
Students who are not eligible for the scholarship can still purchase a laptop through the Penn State Bookstore at a discounted rate.
Students who are eligible for the one-time technology scholarship and who are purchasing their laptop through the Penn State Bookstore should follow the steps below to have the funds applied at the time of purchase.
In-person (HUB-Robeson Center)
Visit the technology center at the Penn State University Bookstore, which is located in the HUB-Robeson Center. A member of the Bookstore staff will be able to assist you.
Online
Students who are eligible for the one-time technology scholarship who are also receiving financial aid that is already covering their total cost of attendance should contact the Office of Student Aid to submit a one-time cost of attendance increase for a computer purchase to ensure that any existing financial aid award is not impacted.
Most students will not need to take this step and should review their current financial aid award before determining if a cost of attendance increase is necessary. This increase will be covered by the one-time technology scholarship.
If a student determines that a cost of attendance increase is necessary, there are two ways to request a "Cost of Attendance Increase for a Computer Purchase.” Students must initiate this process, and it can be done before or after the laptop is purchased:
Faculty have built courses based on each student having a minimum level of technology to participate in class assignments, complete coursework, and progress through the degree program. Not meeting the requirement may result in a suboptimal experience and negatively impact your academic performance.
To ensure consideration for the one-time technology scholarship, students must meet all of the following criteria:
Students who are eligible for the one-time technology scholarship will be notified by email and mail by summer 2023.Scholarship funds will be available to eligible students after they attend a New Student Orientation session.
Award amounts vary and will be determined by the student’s level of need.
Scholarship funds will be available to eligible students after they attend a New Student Orientation session.
The College of IST will provide the names and award amounts of scholarship-eligible students to the Penn State Bookstore. If you obtain a laptop directly through the Penn State Bookstore, the amount of your award will be directly credited toward your purchase at checkout. Any surplus between the amount of your award and the cost of your laptop will be distributed to your Bursar account in the fall semester. If you don’t purchase a laptop from the Bookstore, or if you already have a laptop that meets the requirements, your award will be distributed to your Bursar account in the fall semester.
If you are eligible for the one-time technology scholarship, you must attend New Student Orientation for the College of IST, register for your first semester’s courses, and matriculate as an undergraduate College of IST student. In other words, you must be actively enrolled at the time the award is distributed to your Bursar account to maintain eligibility.
If you are receiving financial aid that is already covering your total cost of attendance, you will need to contact the Office of Student Aid to submit a one-time cost of attendance increase for a computer purchase to ensure that any existing financial aid award is not impacted.
Yes, awarding decisions will not be influenced by whether a student already owns a laptop that meets the college’s requirement. Scholarship-eligible students will be notified via email and mail by summer 2023.
Please note that while funds are intended to be used toward the purchase of the required laptop, they can be used by the University to cover any outstanding charges applied to your Bursar account.
If the laptop costs less than your scholarship amount, the difference will be deposited into your Bursar account in the fall semester and applied to any outstanding charges remaining on the account. If the laptop costs more than the scholarship amount, you are responsible for the remaining balance upon checkout.
If you have not completed the FAFSA, we encourage you to submit it as soon as possible so you can be considered for the one-time technology scholarship. To ensure consideration for the one-time technology scholarship, students must have a FASFA on file with Penn State by February 1, 2023. Students for whom a FASFA is received by Penn State between February 1 and April 15, 2023, may be considered.
Visit the Office of Student Aid website for more information.
sNo, the minimum and recommended technical specifications are the same for each of the College of IST’s undergraduate programs.
Yes, you can use any laptop that meets or exceeds the technical specifications.
No, there are currently no tablets or mobile devices that meet the minimum required specifications.
While the laptop requirement does not apply to LEAP courses during summer 2023, all first-year students must have a laptop that meets the college’s requirement by the beginning of the fall 2023 semester.
If you have questions about purchasing a laptop or the one-time technology scholarship, emaillaptop@ist.psu.edu.
Email laptop@ist.psu.edu
The IST Helpdesk will be available to consult on software problems related to coursework and can loan you a laptop if you have a temporary problem.Visit the IST Helpdesk website for more information.
No, though some courses may require the installation of various software to complete assignments. Your instructor will guide you in any course-specific software needs.