Students at Auburn have access to several computer labs across campus to help with projects, assignments, tests, and other academic needs. Click here to view a list of available computing labs across campus. We understand, however, that many students opt to bring laptops or other personal computing devices when they come to campus.
The university as a whole does not suggest any specific computers, but certain academic units have recommendations based on various software programs you will be running while in those courses. If you know the course of study you want to pursue, please click the link below to see that unit's recommendations to help guide your purchase.
To be prepared for the possibility of remote instruction, if they do not purchase a laptop, students are still strongly encouraged to have reliable and regular access to a Windows or Macintosh computer, a webcam (built-in on the computer or as an additional USB accessory), and off-campus access to reliable Internet.
Please contact the department for more information.
Recommendations are currently being revised and will be posted soon.
Please contact the department for more information.
The College of Education expect students to be able to use the following programs: Zoom, Canvas, Office, OneDrive, Chrome, Firefox, Panopto, Respondus, HonorLock, and ProctorU. As a result, here are the minimum recommendations.
Mac Laptop Minimum Requirements
Windows Laptop Minimum Requirements
Engineering students who wish to bring their own computers are encouraged to purchase IBM-compatible devices. The minimum specifications are listed below. Additional recommendations are available here.
Windows Laptop Minimum Requirements
The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences offers a list of recommended specs as well as a list of bare minimum specifications for running the necessary systems. For Windows devices, the Windows 10 operating system is required.
Forestry uses ArcGIS software which does not run native on Mac operating systems, so they do not recommend the purchase of Mac devices. If you do use a Mac, make sure it has the most updated operating system, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB hard drive for running parallels.
In addition to the minimum recommendations listed below, the College of Humans Sciences recommends that students bring an external mouse and a 1TB external drive.
Mac Laptop Minimum Requirements
Windows Laptop Minimum Requirements
Mac Laptop Minimum Recommendations
Windows Laptop Minimum Recommendations
Minimum Recommendations for Media Studies & Animation Majors
Mac 13" Laptop Minimum Requirements
Mac 16" Laptop Minimum Requirements
Windows Laptop Minimum Requirements
HSOP students must have a current laptop computer to satisfy the laptop requirement. You are not required to purchase from any specific vendor. HSOP OIT fully supports Windows-based systems, and provides limited support for Apple/Mac hardware and applications.
Mac Laptop Minimum Requirements
Windows Laptop Minimum Requirements
COSAM does not have any specific recommendations since most, if not all, of their specialized software is available via virtualized desktop (VDI) for students. It's really the preference of the student of what type of computer to purchase, Windows, Apple, Linux, Chromebook, or Tablets. The best support on campus will be mostly Windows and Mac, and we do have an Authorized Apple Store located at the AU Bookstore on campus. Discounted Apple hardware is available to students. Students also get free software like Microsoft Office (O365) and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, so no need to purchase those. You can also run the VM VDI environment from a Chromebook as well. See more about the COSAM Recommendations here.
NOTE: Although Chromebook is compatible with most of our systems, ProctorU and Respondus Lockdown Browser to take online tests are not fully supported on Chromebook. If you need to take an online test, please have access to another computer to take your test.
When you're accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine, you can acquire a Windows or Mac device from the college, or you can bring your own device. If you choose to bring your own, the college recommends a device with a minimum of 8GB or RAM and at least 512GB of disk space. They do not recommend Chromebooks since they are not compatible with the Lockdown browser which may be necessary for some courses.