Computer Policy

Computer Policy

What kind of computer should I purchase?

Rowan University has partnered with Lenovo and offers a special website to purchase Lenovo laptops: Lenovo website for students at Rowan University. Rowan provides on campus support for lenovo laptops.

Please keep in mind that when purchasing a Lenovo computer through this program, you are purchasing directly from Lenovo, not through the University.

You can choose from various manufactures such as Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft, Sony, or Toshiba.

The College of Science and Mathematics has mandatory computer requirements, we recommend a laptop with specs similar or exceeding those listed below:

  • Intel® Core™ i7 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor or similar
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 500GB SSD (disk drive)
  • Wireless network card
  • Intel HD, Nvidia, or AMD graphics card
  • Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)

During the first couple of years the students will be using the following software, so the computer should be able to handle at least the following:

Regarding Windows vs. Mac, the college recommends students use a laptop with Windows 10. Students are able to use a Mac, but they may run into compatibility difficulties with software. Therefore, for the easiest experience, we recommend using Windows.

I Need Guidance: Does the College Have a Laptop Recommendation?

While there are many options available, we recommend considering the following for your academic needs:

Click on the hyper-linked text to go to the Rowan University Student store and view machine.

  • Recommendation that meets the minimum requirements: ThinkPad X1 Carbon G12
    • Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155U (E-cores up to 3.80GHz, 12MB)
    • Display: 14-inch 1920x1200 Non-Touch
    • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro 64
    • Memory: 16.0GB
    • Storage: 1x512GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC Opal
    • Graphics: Intel® Graphics
    • Bluetooth: BT5.1 or BT5.3
    • Wi-Fi: Intel® AX211 vPro
    • Camera: FHD IR+RGB
  • Recommendation with larger display, more memory, and better graphics: ThinkPad P16s G3
    • Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155H (E-cores up to 3.80GHz, 24MB)
    • Display: 16-inch 1920 x 1200 Non-Touch
    • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro 64
    • Memory: 32.0GB
    • Storage: 1x1TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC Opal
    • Graphics: NVIDIA RTX™ 500 Ada 4GB
    • Wi-Fi: Intel® AX211 vPro
    • Bluetooth: BT5.1 or BT5.3
    • Ethernet: Wired Ethernet
    • Camera: 5 MP RGB
  • Both models meet the minimum requirements for academic needs as outlined by the college, but the ThinkPad P16s G3 provides enhanced features for those who require more robust performance.
  • On-Site Repairs: If anything goes wrong with your laptop, it can likely be repaired on-site at Rowan. Our IRT Help Desk is certified to repair Lenovo hardware, and most repairs are completed within a few hours.
  • Durability and Performance: These recommended laptops are designed to handle a heavy academic workload over the next four years. Tablets and notebooks, while convenient, tend to be more prone to issues under heavy use and for that reason are generally not recommended.

Feel free to purchase what you determine to be most appropriate for your needs, but we hope this recommendation helps you in making an informed decision if you are looking for guidance.

Technology Resources

Software Access: Rowan students get access to Microsoft Office and other essential software. You can find more information and download the software here.

Academic Virtual Desktop: Almost all software needed for courses in the College of Science and Mathematics can be accessed via the Academic Virtual Desktop. This ensures that licensing, downloading, and updates are managed for you. You can find out more about the Academic Virtual Desktop here.

What computing resources should I become familiar with?

You will have a networked H drive, access to printing kiosks, and the Rowan Cloud. You should get to know Banner, which you will use to register and check your progress towards graduation, know how to access our wireless network, be able to connect to our network remotely, and potentially utilize Blackboard (a popular learning management system for many classes).

Rowan's Information Resources and Technology (IRT) department maintains a very useful student resources page with information on all of the above. 

Need Support?

If you need help with your device, you can call or email the Technology Support Center at 856-256-4400 or support@rowan.edu.  For in-person support, you can bring it to the Technology Assistance Center in Memorial Hall.  The hours for both groups can be found at:  https://irt.rowan.edu/help/