- CAEN recommends students own a personal laptop computer.
- University of Michigan (U-M) Engineering students who are interested in purchasing a computer should consider available options carefully, and make a selection based on their budget, productivity needs, and hardware lifespan.
- The U-M Tech Shop is a valuable resource for students, offering both a walk-in and online store with educational pricing.
A laptop computer is recommended for all incoming U-M students. Laptops are recommended for mobility, but not required. If a student already owns a laptop that meets the minimum requirements suggested below, it should work with U-M online services. When purchasing a new computer, incoming students may want to choose a model with the memory and hard drive storage suggested below, which should provide adequate performance over a 3-4 year program.
Recommended Hardware
| Feature | Minimum Recommendation | Suggested Recommentdation |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | PC: – Intel Core 7 – AMD Ryzen 7 Apple: – M2 (or newer) |
PC: – Intel Core 9 – AMD Ryzen 9 Apple: – M3 Pro (or newer) |
| Operating System | Windows: – 11 Education or Professional * macOS: – Latest version available |
|
| Memory (RAM) | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Video Card | 1920 x 1080 or better display resolution | A discrete graphics card with a dedicated GPU |
| Camera | 720p, 1280×720 at 30 fps | 1080p, 1920×1080 at 60 fps |
| Backups | External hard drive, or subscription to a cloud-based solution U-M offers Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive at no cost |
|
| Warranty | 4 years ** | |
* Some applications may not be usable with the Windows Home edition. In these cases, a free upgrade to the Windows Education edition is available to students from the U-M Tech Shop OnTheHub service.
** Extended warranties are highly recommended. These will normally cover hardware, as well as system troubleshooting from the vendor. Additional accidental damage coverage may also be available.
Other Recommended Options to Consider
- Any combination of headphone/microphone (e.g. headset) will assist with remote/hybrid learning
- Adapter(s) for connecting to external displays or projection devices (e.g. USB-C or HDMI)
- An anti-theft lock device
Options available from the U-M Tech Shop
PC or Mac?
The Windows and macOS operating systems are both commonly used by Engineering students and faculty. Linux is also used, but is less common.
All software required for Engineering coursework is provided in on-campus CAEN computer labs. CAEN also offers the ability for students to connect remotely, which allows access to most engineering software applications from off-campus. While these options do not diminish the minimum hardware recommendations listed above, they ensure there is no requirement for students to install course-related software directly.
No-cost Software for Students
CAEN works with vendors to offer no-cost, academic software that Engineering students may install on their personal computers at no cost. Most of these applications run on the Windows operating system, but there are options available for Mac users to emulate Windows and install them (e.g. VMware). In many cases, the software applications are only accessible to students who are enrolled in a for-credit course at Michigan Engineering.
U-M Tech Shop
The Tech Shop provides sales, service and support for computers, tablets, software, security essentials, and other peripherals to U-M students, faculty and staff. As an authorized Apple, Dell, and HP service provider, they also provide computer repair, including in- and out-of-warranty hardware repair, software installation, data backup, and more.
Last Updated June 19, 2025