Laptop Purchasing

See the detailed specifications and prices here for the 2011/2012 recommended student laptops. 

Preferred Laptops by Major

Many departments have indicated a preference for particular laptops for a major course of study.  Check our Preferred Laptops by Major list for your major or talk with your advisor to determine an appropriate laptop for you.

Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 Recommendations for Students

• One Dell "mainstream" laptop (Latitude E6420)
• One Dell "high-end" laptop (Precision Mobile M4600)
• One Fujitsu Tablet PC (Lifebook T731)
• One Apple "mainstream" laptop (13" MacBook Pro)
• One Apple "high-end" laptop (15" MacBook Pro)

The recommended Windows laptops (Dell E-6420 and M4600) will ship to your home with a software image pre-installed. The word "image" means that the Windows 7 Professional 64 bit OS, Microsoft Office Suite, McAfee Antivirus Enterprise and other Clemson's recommended software are preloaded on the hard drive. If your Windows laptop should come without the image pre-installed, please come to the Laptop Support Center when you arrive and we can install the image.  We recommend that all students, regardless of the laptop model chosen, attend a workshop to install needed software, updates, and configure laptop for use at Clemson.  

Employees: Go to Clemson's Buyways for departmental purchases. Personal purchases can be made through the links below.

Vendor links for Students & Individuals

Click here for links to vendor websites.

Click here for more information about purchasing insurance for your laptop (including Safeware).

Laptop Support

Click here to go to Clemson's Laptop Support homepage.

Purchasing  FAQs

Do I need a laptop?

All undergraduates for the 2011-2012 academic year are required to own a laptop. You may not substitute a desktop computer. MBA students also have a laptop requirement.

What about "Netbooks" and "iPads"?
"Netbooks" and "iPads" and other light-use portable computing devices are not a viable option as your primary laptop. Support for these devices is extremely limited and consists only of setting up the wireless configuration and installing anti-virus software as required.

I am entering in a particular major. Would one laptop be better for me than another?
You should check with your department for specifics. Remember - many students change their major. Check our Preferred Laptops by Major list.

Why buy the Clemson recommended laptop?
There are several important reasons for purchasing the recommended laptop outlined here.

When should I buy a laptop?
We recommend ordering by the end of July to be certain of delivery to your home before you leave for Clemson. (If you are trying to time it to be paid for with a financial aid reimbursement, it is okay to wait until the end of July.)

Can I have my laptop delivered to Clemson?
No, the Clemson University Post Office will not accept laptop deliveries. We recommend ordering your laptop by the end of July to insure delivery to your home before you leave for Clemson.

Can I use scholarship money or financial aid to buy a laptop?
Yes, the cost of the laptop is considered in the financial aid calculation. The cost of a laptop is automatically included in the cost of attendance for all entering freshmen, and can be included for upperclassmen and graduate students upon request (a receipt may be required). The cost of attendance is used to determine the maximum amount of financial aid for which a student is eligible. Students who apply for aid (typically private or PLUS loans) in excess of direct costs up to the cost of attendance will receive a refund check for the laptop. Some parents order the laptop in late July or early August so it will arrive before classes begin - and then pay the credit card bill with the reimbursement check at the end of the month.

Is there a payment plan?
Most vendors offer payment plans. Call the vendor or visit their web page for information.

I just received my laptop and can't get past the login screen!
The login screen says user: student and no password or the password "tiger5" without the quotes. Do not try to change the user name from the login screen.

Who wants a tablet PC and why?
Here's a list of some reasons for considering a tablet PC.