Computer Recommendations

students

Computing is an essential element of engineering education at Illinois. The predominant educational uses by engineering students include email, web access, word processing, and spreadsheets.

There are many ways to access computing equipment to meet your academic needs. The solutions include having your own computer, using university facilities, or both.

The campus (CITES, Housing), the College of Engineering, and academic departments strongly support the computing environment, making available an extensive array of computers for general-purpose academic usage. Academic computing by engineering students requiring specialized hardware or application software is generally done in labs provided and maintained by the College of Engineering, departments, or CITES.

Latest surveys indicate more than half of undergraduates have a computer on campus with the percentage greater among juniors and seniors. However, having a computer is generally regarded largely as a matter of convenience and may be based in part on personal (non-academic) use inclinations. The prevailing opinion is that you don't really have to have your own computer to be successful in your studies.

If you decide to bring a computer

You may already have or can obtain a computer up to three years old which meets or exceeds the recommended CITES minimum system requirements listed in the last section of this advice. Many students have found that a laptop is very convenient. If you buy or bring a laptop, also include a wireless networking card if wireless capability is not built in, as many areas on campus now have wireless networking available.

For desktop machines, a flat-panel LCD monitor is a helpful space-saver, especially in dorm rooms (and is less of a burden to transport to and from campus).

If you plan to buy a new machine, consider the CITES minimum system described below, but don't go overboard. Realize that computing technology changes rapidly and that a premium is paid for state-of-the-art gear. And realize, as many say, "no matter what you buy, it will be obsolete before you graduate."

Be aware you can purchase the educational version of Microsoft Office through the CITES Software Webstore and that free anti-virus and anti-spam software is recommended and will be available to you as a registered student.

You may wish to hold off making a decision to buy a computer

You can certainly get through the first months or longer on campus by using resources provided as described above. In that period, you can assess your needs and desires. If you then decide to purchase, you can compare pricing of the campus discount program to a commercial purchase online or through the many recognized national chain stores or specialty retailers, both located within the community.

Whether or not you bring your own computer

You should buy at least one USB flash ("thumb") drive of 256 MB capacity or more.

A printer is not required, as printing service is available at computers sites in CITES, Housing, College, and some departmental labs for a nominal per page charge. However, if you decide to buy a printer, a modest color inkjet model will suffice.

*** Minimum recommended configuration (CITES) ***

1 GHz Pentium processor or 667 MHz Mac
512 MB memory
40 GB hard drive
10/100 BASE-T network card
Wireless network card (for laptop computer)
CD/RW drive

For a new computer, include a multi-year on-site maintenance contract.