Laptop FAQ
Please read this FAQ before buying a computer
What kind of laptop should I bring? What should I buy?
A PC laptop running Windows 10 or 11 is the best option. Most current hardware should be fine. Anything older than 3 years should be replaced by the first or second year of instruction. Students do not need a new laptop but it should be in good working order and able to run CAD software such as Solidworks or AutoCad.
Chromebooks will not work at UCI Engineering.
No Snapdragon - there hasn't been enough testing to recommend this processor
Macs should NOT be used in MAE and BME
Macs using Intel processors - should not be used because Apple no longer supports Bootcamp
For all other majors, use a Mac at your own risk.
ALL STUDENTS - MAKE SURE YOUR LAPTOP MEETS THESE SPECIFICATIONS
General hardware requirements (minimum is listed):
RAM: 16 GB RAM (more is ok)
MAE & BME majors will want 32 GB so that Solidworks can run better. However, for most undergrad projects, 16 will suffice. The HSSOE computer labs are available in a jam.
VIDEO:
Embedded or on-board video is adequate for most first and second-year work.
MAE, MAE, and CEE students should consider a discrete graphics card but it's not required.
Hard Drive: 250 GB or more.
50 GB hard drives on a tablet will be completely inadequate.
Processor: Any Intel Core I5, i7, I9, Xeon OR AMD equivalent (No ARM)
Most Engineering software is compatible with both Intel and AMD processors.
DO NOT use Celeron, mobile M processors, or any processor less than an Intel i5.
For AMD processors, do your own homework to find what is currently the i5 or i7 equivalent.
NO SNAPDRAGON, ARM is not recommended
Weight
Students are expected to bring their laptops to class
Please consider weight
Usually screen size will dictate the weight.
The larger the screen, the heavier a laptop is.
Webcam
If your laptop webcam does not work, then you should buy an external one or use your phone camera.
Other recommendations:
Extended warranty
External monitor, keyboard, and mouse for dorm room.
External hard drive for data backups.
Small black & white personal-sized laser printer
Printers are available throughout campus.
There is a small fee to print on campus printers.
Inkjet printers are fine but the consumables (such as extra ink) can be expensive over time.
My laptop does not meet this requirements, what do I do?
Please get a laptop that meets these requirements, otherwise you will have a difficult time using Engineering software. The HSSOE computer labs are available as an emergency option but you need a laptop for class projects.
Do I need to buy a new laptop?
Absolutely not, but please make sure it meets our hardware requirements, otherwise software will not run. If you plan on purchasing a new laptop as a High School graduation gift, then please use our hardware specifications as a guideline. Laptops older than 3 years should be replaced by the first or second year of instruction.
Can I just upgrade the RAM?
All laptops are different. Some laptops have RAM soldered and those cannot get upgraded. You need to look into it. Google the make & model and find out. For laptops with up-gradable RAM, there's usually an easy way to get to it underneath. With some laptops you have to remove the keyboard.
This is something you need to research on your own or take it to a Best Buy or MicroCenter.
I typically refer to this website when I buy RAM: https://www.crucial.com/
Can I use a Chromebook.
Absolutely not. Almost no software used in Engineering is compatible with Chromebooks.
I want a Mac. Can I use a Mac?
Use a Mac at your own risk. There are no guarantees you will not have problems. BME & MAE students will have the most issues with Macs.
Reasons to not use a Mac:
Your only option to install Windows is with a VM such as Parallels or Fusion.
Your Engineering software will run slow and buggy (if it installs at all)
Most Engineering software is designed for Windows and Intel processors.
Expect some software to not run at all due to Arm
You will spend extra time preparing your laptop for coursework by installing Windows.
The MacBook Air is especially problematic due to the processor being optimized for mobile computing.
It doesn't have enough power for 3D graphics used in CAD software.
I want a new Mac, will this be okay?
There are NO GUARANTEES a Mac will work. Use at your own risk.
Here is a list of known issues with the ARM processor:
MAE & BME students will have problems installing and using Solidworks, with on a VM.
ENGR 7A: students use Solidworks
MAE 52 uses Solidworks
BME 60B uses Solidworks
BME 60A students
Linx plug in for LabView does not work on Macs- this is an issue for BME 60 classes.
You will not be able to work on BME60A projects unless you borrow a laptop.
CEE majors will have issues using AutoCad on a VM. It'll be slow and buggy.
A lot of CEE majors express frustration their VM's work for a short time and then get slow.
For upper division courses, AutoCad Civil Engineering is used and there is no Mac version.
Other majors will have less issues with using Windows in a VM, but there are no guarantees.
Can I use my old Mac with an Intel processor?
You should get a a new PC laptop because this Mac with Intel processor is a several years old. Also, Apple has stopped Bootcamp development & support.
What is Bootcamp?
NOTE: Bootcamp is not supported on ARM processors. It can only run on intel-based Macs.
Bootcamp is a free utility from Apple that allows your Macbook to dual boot and it installs Windows natively onto the hard drive as opposed to using a Virtual Machine (VM) such as Fusion or Parallels. This means when you start up your Mac you will be given a choice to use either the MacOS or Windows. See our "Mac Users Start Here" webpage.
I really want a MacBook. All my friends & family use Macs. The sales people at the store told me Macs are better and I can use Windows with Parallels.
Do your own research and talk to Engineering students. Most salespeople (and many parents) don't understand your computing needs. Your hardware requirements are going to be greater than the average consumer's.
If you insist on using a Mac, you will spend extra time & effort preparing it. Learn Windows if you are not familiar with it. Your faculty expect you to solve simple computer problems on your own such as installing software.
Plan on having a hard drive 500 GB or larger and use half of the drive for Windows.
The HSSOE computer labs have PC's running Windows. You will end up using the HSSOE computer labs.
I'm a MAE major. Is a Mac okay? Other majors?
If you are MAE, BME, or CEE major:
You should get a PC due to the software you'll use.
ENGR7A students:
You need a PC to run Solidworks.
If you have a Mac, you'll be given CAD options such as OnShape.
If you want an internship or job in Orange County, you should learn Solidworks.
If you are MSE or ChemE major:
You might be okay with either a Mac or a PC, but there are NO GUARANTEES.
Your computing requirements generally do not require a high-end graphics card.
Your coursework will not include CAD software unless you decide to use it for a project, such as a senior design project.
You still need to install Windows - even with Windows some of your software may not work due to the ARM processor. You will have software & software plugins that only work with Windows.
If you are an EE major:
You might need to program an embedded board or device. It's unlikely the embedded board will have drivers to work with a mac.
You are likely better off with a PC or be prepared to borrow one for projects
If you are a CS major:
You will do a lot of programming and log in remotely to the the EECS linux cluster.
You will probably be fine with a Mac, but still install Windows as a VM.
I already have a Mac.
Install Windows and hope for the best.
Use the computer labs.
Borrow a laptop for emergencies and in-person class projects
For certain classes (such as BME 60), you may need an Intel based PC, no exceptions.
Contact UCI Libraries for their laptop loaners
The Multi Media Resources Center offers mobile devices to be loaned
Contact UCI Financial Aid for other loan and other options.
Engineering students can request an equipment add-on to existing financial aid.
Scroll down for Financial Aid Office contact info
Which software requires Windows?
CEE Majors
Basic AutoCad has a version native to Macs but students complain it is buggy and slow.
You'll use AutoCad Civil 3D in your upper division courses and it requires Windows.
ArcGIS requires Windows
Transportation Studies software only works on Windows. This includes TransCad, TransModeler, and Synchro.
MAE
Solidworks works on Windows only.
Solidworks is not required for Aerospace Engineers but your job prospects are better if you learn it.
ANSYS, Abaqus, MSC Software all require Windows, It's unclear if these will work on a Windows VM.
BME
Solidworks requires Windows.
Labview works on both Windows & Macs, but certain plugins used in BME are Windows only and ONLY work on Intel processors
COMSOL requires Windows
EECS
Xilinx, CST, L-Edit, Atmel Studio, Coventor, ExpressPCB
Other software to design and test electronic circuit boards tends to run on Windows.
LabView has a Mac version, but some plugins require Windows
CS majors
programming tools are both Windows and Linux based.
However, if you're programming for boards & devices, you might need tools that only work with Windows.
ChemE majors
You'll use a lot of Excel and Excel plugins that only work on Windows
Aspen, Polymath, Aveva Pro II & Simcentral all use Windows
You need to install Windows on your Mac
Materials Science
Granta EDU requires Windows
All majors:
Matlab works mostly fine on both Windows and Macs.
But we cannot guarantee all Matlab Toolboxes will work with Macs
There's a lot of other software that only runs on Windows.
BE PREPARED TO INSTALL WINDOWS
Which courses require I bring my own laptop?
The following courses have a laptop requirement as listed in the 2022-2023 Student Catalog and it's also specified when you register for one of these courses. In other words, if you are enrolled in one of these course, you must bring your laptop to class.
Students enrolled in a course with a laptop requirement who have demonstrated financial need assistance as determined by the financial aid office, may be eligible for financial aid assistance. Please talk to UCI's Financial Aid Office.
Courses with a laptop requirement:
BME 60A: Laptop running LabVIEW 2019 or newer.
BME 60B: Laptop running MATLAB R2020a or newer.
BME 60C: Laptop running Solidworks Engineering Kit.
EECS 10: Laptop running Microsoft VisualStudio, Apple XCode 4.1, or NetBeans 7.3 or newer IDEs.
EECS 12: Laptop running Python (latest most stable version).
EECS 20: Laptop running C/C++ IDE and an LC-3 simulator.
EECS 22: Open-source toolchain.
EECS 22L: Open-source toolchain.
EECS 31L/CSE 31L: Xilinx / Vivado Design Suite (ML or Webpack)
EECS 40: C++/Java programming IDE plus open-source toolchain.
ENGR 7A-B: Laptop running Solidworks Engineering Kit
ENGRCEE 20: Laptop running MATLAB R2020a or newer.
ENGRCEE 21: Laptop running MATLAB R2020a or newer.
ENGRCEE 81A: AutoCAD plus ArcGIS (10.8)
ENGRCEE 81B: AutoCAD plus ArcGIS (10.8)
ENGRMAE 10: Laptop running MATLAB R2020.
ENGRMAE 52: Laptop running Solidworks Student Engineering Kit.
How do I get financial aid to pay for my laptop?
Financial aid counselors will be advising students and processing the budget adjustments for students who qualify. Students may email, call or stop by their office for additional information on the budget increases and their eligibility. In general, you need to wait until after July 1st to buy a laptop if you will be reimbursed.
FAO contact information:
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
102 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-2825
949-824-8262
Email: finaid@uci.edu
Based on the student's alpha last name, they are assigned to a specific financial aid counselor who will process the budget adjustment for them.
I want to purchase a laptop at the UCI Bookstore using financial aid. What do I do?
Because the UCI bookstore is now Barnes & Noble, the ELITE program is no longer available. The Financial Aid Office will discuss options with you.
From around 2010-2015 we had the ELITE laptop program (Engineering Laptop Initiative) which was a partnership between the UCI Bookstore and Financial Aid office allowing students to purchase a laptop at the Bookstore using financial aid funds directly thus eliminating the need for students to use a credit card or personal funds. The Bookstore covered the laptop cost and they were reimbursed by the financial aid office on a quarterly basis. It was a successful program. Unfortunately when Barnes & Noble took over the bookstore this program was not able to continue due to regulations around financial aid accounting systems.
Again, please contact the Financial Aid office with your questions.
Do I have to purchase from the UCI Bookstore if I want to use financial aid?
You are not required to purchase a laptop from the UCI Bookstore if you use financial aid. There are opportunities to purchase from other vendors. However, please talk to the Financial Aid Office FIRST and BEFORE you make any laptop purchase. If you coordinate with the Financial Aid Office, they will let you know of the reimbursement process. There are deadlines, dates and guidelines you MUST follow. In some cases, they will reimburse laptop expenses only when it is purchased after a certain date.
Engineering software is intense. Do I need to spend a lot of money on a laptop?
Most likely you will spend $900-$1200 (for a PC). If you purchase additional RAM, the cost will be closer to $1200-$1500. Spending more money on a computer doesn't guarantee you longevity. Sometimes Microsoft makes operating system upgrades that render hardware obsolete such as changing the monitor sizes or aspect ratio.
I recommend a good solid "middle of the road" laptop. If you go too cheap, the processor and RAM won't be adequate for CAD work. Too expensive (such as with a gaming laptop) and you will have driver problems due to the specialized hardware (this is generally true, but not always).
If you have a laptop when you enter as a Freshman, it might run slow by the time you are a Senior. Software such as Solidworks and AutoCad are upgraded every year. Each newer version tends to have changes that require more CPU & RAM. There is a chance you might need a new laptop by the time you're a Senior so budget accordingly. Keep your laptop in working order.
In an emergency, the School computer labs are available for drop-in use. However, during midterms and finals the computer labs are very busy and it can be difficult to find an available a computer to use.
What kind of laptop do you you recommend? I want it to last 4 years.
Shop according to the specifications and your requirements.
Here's tips if you really want your laptop to last all 4 years.
Get an extended warranty
Look into a workstation class laptop such as Dell Precision or HP ZBook and get a 4 year warranty.
Manufacturers use better quality materials and do more testing on their business and workstation lines of computers
Do regular maintenance such as running CCleaner.
Reinstall the OS on an annual basis.
Most laptops will run okay for 3 years but the 4th year will have issues due to Windows updates or some other Microsoft thing. You might need a new laptop by your 4th year.
Which one is better? HP, Acer, Gateway? Which one should I get?
Each manufacturer has hits & misses. Therefore shop according to the specifications and your requirements.
Most important is hardware support and warranty.
Get an extended warranty.
Look at the "workstation class" or "business class" of laptops.
Need more advice? Search "Engineer laptop student" at Reddit.com.
GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY
Can I use a Netbook or a ChromeBook?
NO. Absolutely not. A ChromeBook will not run CAD software. You can use it for writing papers but it will have limited functionality for Engineering work. A Netbook will likely not have enough space or power.
Where should I go to buy a laptop?
If you want Financial Aid to reimburse you then contact the Financial Aid office to make sure you follow their rules.
I will not make any endorsements on where you should go. I typically look at online reviews for particular make & model and I check out sales papers. Watch out for vendors who talk you into buying something you don't want or don't need. Some vendors will talk you into a Mac when you want a PC. Some will try to up-sell you.
Again, do your research. Consider physical and keyboard layout. Figure out what you like, you'll be stuck with it for 3-4 years.
I have no time or patience for this kind of shopping. Point me to a location where I can just go.
The UCI Bookstore (aka The Hill) has PC laptops available for sale and understand Engineering students computing needs.
Don't forget about Costco. The website has more options than what is available in the store. They sometimes include two years of warranty when most vendors offer one. Their pricing is very competitive ($800-$1200) for the specifications they offer.
HP and Dell have workstation class laptops. Take a look at those and get an extended warranty.
What happens if my laptop breaks?
Contact the manufacturer. If you purchased an extended service contract, call the phone number provided.
The UCI TechHub on campus provides some repair services for a fee and they do some warranty work.
The technicians at the Microsoft Store at South Coast Plaza can also take a look. They can provide some hardware support (usually for a fee) even if you did not purchase the laptop there.
Use the School of Engineering computer labs if your laptop breaks.
You can rent laptops through UCI LIbraries.
What software do I need to install?
Please view What do I need to Install.
Where can I buy software?
Microsoft software such as MS Project, MS Visio, Visual Studio, and Windows is available to HSSOE Engineers free of charge through our Microsoft Azure for Teaching subscription. Check our Software page for additional software.
How can I get Microsoft Office?
You can obtain office from OIT (Office of Information Technology). They are separate from School of Engineering IT support.
You can install MS Office using Pro Plus for students on your personally owned computer. You may not install it in UC-owned equipment. There is a separate license program for that.
What is Microsoft Azure for Teaching? How do I install software?
Microsoft Azure for Teaching is a subscription program that our Engineering School belongs to and it allows our students to install Microsoft Software free of charge.You may keep the software installed on your laptop after you graduate. Most common software is Windows 10.
Who can help me install software? What if I get a virus, what do I do?
You're an Engineer and it's expected that you have basic knowledge on how to troubleshoot minor PC issues. Generally speaking, you can use Google to find a solution.Use the checklists to get started.
Do I really need a laptop? My parents want to give me their old desktop PC.
You need a laptop because you are required to bring it to some Freshman & Sophomore classes. Furthermore, students who use their own laptops tend to be enthusiastic and motivated to work on projects and spontaneous ideas. You can keep the desktop in the dorm room, but you still need a laptop for in-class work.
Gee, I'd really like to save some money. Can I just use the computer labs?
First and second year Engineers are required to bring a laptop to some Engineering classes. Because of the increased enrollment, these classes can no longer meet in the computer labs. You'll learn the software and do activities in classrooms and lecture halls. The computer labs are impacted during midterms and finals so you should have your own computer.
Is there someone in Engineering who can help me with computer issues?
Your best bet is to google the issue and ask your Engineering friends. Get in the habit of talking and networking with your Engineering buddies. Chances are someone you know had similar issues. Please know there is limited computer staff in Engineering and the type of support we can provide you is limited.
Can you fix my computer problem? I don't know where to start.
Please google the problem first and let us know what you've tried.
See this FAQ on how to ask a smart question when asking for IT support help
If you cannot resolve the issue, then send a message to labs@eng.uci.edu
We do not provide in-person support during Covid.