Laptop Requirements

To enhance the educational experience of our students, we require new students in select majors to purchase a laptop providing the mobility needed to work anywhere on campus. The laptop specifications should provide students with a machine that is powerful enough to use during all four years and even after graduation.

We’ve outlined the minimum specifications for PC laptops for students in the following majors:

The following majors have laptop requirements: Civil Engineering Civil Engineering Technology Computer Engineering Technology Electrical + Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Technology Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Network + Computer Security

Computer: PC (an Apple or MAC is not recommended)
O/S: Windows 11
Processor: Intel Core i7 (higher speed is better but varies cost varies with speed)
System Memory: 16 GB Minimum (32GB is preferred)
Drive: 1 terabyet SSD Drive
Graphics Video: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 or 3070 or AMD Radeon RX6700XT or 6800 or equivalent graphics capability
USB: 3.0

Note: Macintosh computers are not recommended as they have been shown to be incompatible for some of the software used in our educational programs.

If you have any questions about the laptop, please email the College of Engineering, at ceng@sunypoly.edu.

If you have any questions about the laptop, please feel free to contact Dr. Michael Carpenter, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering, at mcarpenter@sunypoly.edu.

Windows or Mac operating system
Audio Card: no specifications
RAM: Minimum of 32GB (64GB strongly recommended)
Solid State Hard Drive: 250GB
1 TB recommended for at least an i7 class processor
Screen size: 15”
High-quality hardware is recommended
Video/Graphics: no specifications
Screen size: 14”

Note: Wi-Fi wireless networking is required. USB ports are required, and can be provided via external adaptor if needed. Ethernet ports are not required, but access via an external adaptor is recommended.

Microsoft Office (Office 365 is free for students)
VMWare Virtualization Platform
Note: SUNY Poly has a VMWare site license available to students that includes VMWare Workstation for Windows and Fusion for Mac. For virtualization needs prior to arriving at SUNY Poly, students can install and use VirtualBox.

Note: If an Apple laptop is used, the Parallels software to run Windows is available at a discount, and a Windows license will be available to students through SUNY Poly’s site licenses.

If you have any questions about the laptop, please contact the College of Engineering, at ceng@sunypoly.edu.

Microsoft Office (Office 365 is free for students)
VMWare Virtualization Platform
Note: SUNY Poly has a VMWare site license available to students that includes VMWare Workstation for Windows and Fusion for Mac. For virtualization needs prior to arriving at SUNY Poly, students can install and use VirtualBox.

Note: If an Apple laptop is used, the Parallels software to run Windows is available at a discount, and a Windows license will be available to students through SUNY Poly’s site licenses.

Because this is an academic requirement, it may be possible to receive financial aid to cover the cost of the laptop, primarily through additional loans. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your individual financial situation: Email (finaid@sunypoly.edu, call (315) 792-7210), or Request a Virtual Appointment.

To enhance the educational experience of our students, we recommend new students in the following majors to purchase a laptop providing the mobility needed to work anywhere on campus. The laptop specifications should provide students with a machine that is powerful enough to use during all four years and even after graduation.

The majors that have minimum specifications/requirements for PC laptops for students are:

Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering Technology
Computer Engineering Technology
Electrical + Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Network + Computer Security: Cybersecurity

If you have any questions about the laptop, please feel free to contact the College of Engineering, at ceng@sunypoly.edu.

Students enrolled in majors not listed above (so majors not included in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or Network + Computer Security: Cybersecurity) are encouraged to consider the following general computer requirements when purchasing a laptop to attend college:

Windows 11 or Apple Computer

Intel Core i5 Processor
12 GB Memory
500GB or better hard Drive
Standard Video/graphics

Laptops are available on a semester basis for eligible students that do not have a personal computer, while supplies last. Students may contact studentaffairs@sunypoly.edu for an application. If approved, students are notified to schedule a time to pick the laptop up.

The laptop comes preloaded with Windows and students are allowed to download software for educational purposes only. Students will be required to sign a Laptop Use Agreement upon pickup.

PLEASE NOTE: Because this is an academic requirement, students in academic programs that require specific specifications may be eligible to receive financial aid to cover the cost of the laptop, primarily through additional loans. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your individual financial situation: Email (finaid@sunypoly.edu, call (315) 792-7210), or Request a Virtual Appointment.

When you purchase a laptop, we recommend it is one that features the listed specifications. If you purchase one that does not meet the minimum specifications, you may need to upgrade your laptop in the future.

You can find all of the free or discounted software and hardware options on our website.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute
100 Seymour Road
Utica, NY 13502

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
(315) 792-7208 (call)
(315) 795-4141 (text)
admissions@sunypoly.edu