What type of laptop/device should I bring to Lehigh? Are there recommendations for certain colleges / majors?
LTS recommends either a Windows or Mac laptop for student use. Students typically do best bringing the laptop they are most comfortable using. Most of the Colleges at Lehigh are ok with either platform, only the College of Business recommends that students consider bringing a Windows laptop. LTS does not recommend students use Chromebooks as their only computing device.
Will students need to bring their laptops to class?
Certain courses, especially in STEM, do require that students use their computing devices while in class. Beyond course requirements, students in all majors do use their devices for note taking during class. So it’s important to take into consideration size and battery life when choosing your computer.
Do students need to bring a printer for their room? Are public printers available at Lehigh?
Students do not need to bring their own printer with them to Lehigh. Publicly accessible printers are available in the Libraries and many computer labs around campus. The majority of students find these printers to be sufficient for their needs.
However, if a student wants their own printer it should be noted that wireless printers are unable to connect to Lehigh’s wireless network. The only option for printing in a Res Hall room would be via a USB printer cable.
Are there any computer software applications that students need for use at Lehigh?
There are no specific software applications that students need to purchase before coming to Lehigh. All the necessary software applications/service used in coursework is supplied by Lehigh (i.e. MS Office, Google Docs, Dropbox, etc) or made available through our virtual
I have a laptop that works for now, but is a couple of years old. Should I buy a new one?
It is not necessary to purchase a new computer for use at Lehigh if you already have a Windows or Mac laptop. As long as your current computer meets our minimum hardware specifications and is not too old (i.e. > 5yrs) it should be OK to use for the first year or two. Bringing your current computer will allow you some time to get familiar with Lehigh’s computing environment. At a later date when it becomes necessary to replace the computer you will be able to make an informed decision about what to buy.