To succeed in your engineering courses at Texas A&M, you’ll need a personal laptop and a smartphone (or an alternative camera setup) that meet specific requirements set by the college. These devices are essential for running engineering software and participating in online exams.
Laptop Requirements
Your laptop should meet at least the following specs:
- Processor:
- Intel: i7 or i9
- AMD: Ryzen 7, 9, or Threadripper
- Memory (RAM): 16 GB or more
- Storage: 512 GB or more
- Graphics: A discrete (dedicated) graphics card
Note: Chromebooks, iPads, and similar devices do not meet the hardware or software requirements for engineering programs.
Smartphone (for Online Testing)
You’ll need a smartphone with:
- A working camera
- A data plan that supports video streaming
Alternative Option: You can use a USB webcam with a tripod or stand instead of a smartphone for proctored online exams.
Recommended Devices
To ensure compatibility and support, we recommend purchasing your laptop from one of these vendors: 12th Man Technology or Avinext (Avinext HP, Avinext Lenovo).
- Apple
- Note: Parallels Pro is required to run on a Windows 11 Virtual Machine for some Windows engineering applications. You can secure a Parallels Pro education license by purchasing your MacBook Pro from 12th Man Technology
- Microsoft
- Dell
- HP
- Lenovo
Buying through these channels allows you to customize your device and add extended warranties.
Why This Matters
Having the right computer ensures:
- Smooth performance with engineering software
- Access to tech support throughout your studies
- Fewer compatibility issues
If you choose a device outside the recommended list, we can't guarantee that all required software will work properly or that our IT team can support it.
Important: No student will be denied admission to Texas A&M based on their ability to purchase a computer.