Overview
The University of Oregon does not sponsor or endorse any product or vendor listed on this page for personal computer purchasing. We provide this information as a courtesy to assist our faculty, staff, and students in identifying appropriate solutions and discount programs that may be available. Information on this page applies only to personal purchases that will be made with non-university funds.
About university equipment
Ownership of all university equipment is vested in the university, and not in any specific unit or department or grant recipient, regardless of whether the equipment was purchased with university funds, grants funds, UO Foundation funds, transferred from outside institutions, or gifted.
- University equipment is intended only for university-related business and activities.
- Any purchase using university funds as described above should be purchased via appropriate university purchasing policies.
See Faculty and staff technology purchasing for assistance with purchasing university-owned technology.
Department, School, or College Recommendations
Your department, school, or college may have specific recommendations. Please contact your department for inquiries related to any specific requirements if they are not listed below.
General Recommendations
When purchasing a personal computer, your needs will vary based on your academic program and intended use. Before making a purchase, review the system requirements for the software commonly used in your courses. Students in programs that use specialized applications such as engineering, design, media production, or data analysis may require more powerful hardware or a specific operating system.
For most students, a modern Windows or macOS laptop with adequate memory, solid-state storage, and a reliable internet connection will provide a good experience throughout their academic career.
Recommended Guidelines
- Choose a laptop that is currently supported by the manufacturer and capable of receiving operating system and security updates.
- Select a system with enough memory and storage to support your coursework for several years.
- Ensure the device includes:
- A webcam and microphone for online classes and meetings.
- Battery life suitable for a full day of classes.
- If your program requires specialized software, verify compatibility before purchasing a device.
Typical Student Device
For most students, we recommend:
- A current Windows or macOS laptop
- At least 16 GB of memory (RAM)
- 512 GB or greater solid-state storage (SSD)
- Integrated webcam and microphone
- A supported version of Windows or macOS
Students with Higher Performance Needs
Students using software for engineering, computer science, graphic design, video editing, 3D modeling, or similar disciplines may benefit from:
- Additional memory (32 GB or more)
- Larger SSD storage capacity (1 TB or more)
- A dedicated graphics processor (GPU), if recommended by their department or software vendor
Need Help?
If you are unsure what type of computer is appropriate for your coursework, consult your academic department or review the software requirements for your program before making a purchase.
Financial Aid for Student Technology Purchases
Please see the office of Financial Aid and Scholarships article on Computer Purchase Requests.
Educational Pricing or Discounts
These vendors offer educational pricing or UO-specific discounts. The University of Oregon does not sponsor or endorse any product or vendor listed on this page for personal computer purchasing.