• A laptop computer with a wireless adapter
• A laptop lock to prevent theft
• A network cable with RJ-45 connectors to easily reach any part of the room (a back-up to the wireless)
• A USB cable to connect your printer to your computer in your room, if you have one.

The decision is yours, as the Office of Information Technology is capable of supporting you with either decision. If you look at the entire campus, we have about 60% Windows and 40% Macs. If you look at just our students, those numbers are reversed, as more students are choosing Macs these days.

If you are unsure, consider the following:

• What does the student want?
• What are they using today?
• What are you as a family comfortable with?
• Are there specific requirements for the student's school or major? This is important to check with your school, as Kogod students are required to run Windows. Other programs have a bias to best support their academic experience and prepare them for long-term success in that field.

American University has negotiated discounts for our students, faculty, and staff for personal purchases of computing hardware and software. Click on the links to Apple or Dell via the MyAU portal. In most cases, you will be offered a 10% discount on your purchase with the three-year warranty plan.

The two best things that you can do to improve the performance of your computer are to add more memory and to buy an SSD (or Solid State Drive), if you can afford it.

The three year extended warranty is critical, as laptops take a great deal of wear and tear. American University's Office of Information Technology can not perform hardware repairs ourselves for personally-owned computers. We can help you diagnose a problem, but then we have to refer you to the manufacturer.

Yes, the Office of Information Technology is not partial to the brand of computer that you choose, as long as it meets the specifications.