Laptop specifications
If you already own a laptop, there’s no need to go buy a new one if yours meets the minimum specifications listed below. If you are buying a new laptop, we strongly suggest you buy one with the recommended specifications. The goal is to make sure this laptop will last you your entire time at UW.
| Minimum Specifications | Recommended Specifications | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 (10th Gen or newer), AMD Ryzen 5 (4000 series or newer), or Apple M1 | Intel Core i7 (12th Gen or newer), AMD Ryzen 7 (5000 series or newer), or Apple M2/M3 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB | 16GB or more |
| Storage | 256 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) | 512 GB SSD or larger |
| Graphics | Integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Vega, or Apple M1/M2) | Dedicated GPU (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or AMD Radeon RX 7600M) |
| Display | 15-inch or larger, Full HD (1920x1080) or higher resolution | |
| Operating System | Windows 10/11, macOS 12 or newer | Windows 11 Pro or macOS 13 or newer |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), webcam, and microphone | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), webcam, and microphone |
Frequently asked questions
Administrative
All students admitted directly into the College of Engineering starting in autumn 2020 and beyond.
Autumn 2020
Your laptop will be a tool you will use for almost every class you take in the College. Students without a laptop that do not meet the minimum requirements will not be prohibited from enrolling in courses, but their ability to participate in classroom activities and complete assignments may be severely diminished.
The Office of Financial Aid may increase the cost of attendance (budget) for a student to include the cost of a laptop during their UW academic career if requested by the student. Students must complete a Revision Request for Additional Expenses form found on the UW Student Financial Aid page.
Every student’s financial aid package will vary. Please email the Office of Financial Aid.
Each instructor has different expectations about technology usage in class. You may want to take your laptop with you on your first day of classes, but then it will be important to review your syllabi for your professors’ specific guidelines.
Financial aid is generally disbursed at the beginning of each quarter. It’s ok if you need more time to purchase a laptop and do not have one on the first day of class. If you need a laptop in the interim, you can utilize the Student Technology Loan Program.
Technical/specifications
The brand and model is your choice, as long as the laptop specifications listed are met. Popular options are Apple, Dell, HP and Lenovo.
No other hardware is required. A 1TB external drive for backup and additional storage would be recommended. As you get further along in your coursework, you may find other peripherals like an external monitor to be beneficial.
No, smartphones and tablets are not able to run the software needed at this time.
Yes. Some departments use software that only runs on Windows so you may need to purchase and/or install additional software (e.g. “virtualization software”, such as VMware Fusion (free for UW students), BootCamp (free and included with all Macs), or Parallels ($80 one time fee for students) that enable you to run Windows software on your Mac.
No. Chromebooks do not have the ability to run the software needed.
Definitely. This is your own personal laptop. You will find you need a laptop for classes outside of the College of Engineering as well.
UW-IT offers the Computer Vet service you can take your laptop to if it is experiencing software issues. If it is experiencing hardware issues, you will need to have it repaired through the manufacturer warranty or a local computer store.
Software and accessories
There are Dawg Prints stations spread throughout campus. These stations are available from any lab computer, as well as your personal laptop. To print from your laptop, you can visit the Mobile Print website to get started. And visit some frequently asked questions.
The UW provides Microsoft Office through Office 365 which can be installed on up to 5 of your own devices. More information about that can be found on the IT Connect page.