Requirements
Undergraduate and transfer students at the J. B. Speed School of Engineering are required to have a mobile computer with an active digital pen meeting the minimum specifications below. Graduate students should have a laptop.
Summer 2016 / Fall 2016 / Spring 2017
Minimum Tablet Specification***
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (preferred) or 8.1 Pro, 64-bit version |
| PC Processor | Intel i5 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 Gigabytes (GB) |
| Storage Drive | 192 GB SSD or 250 GB HDD |
| Wireless | 802.11 a/g/n (dual band and WiFi certified recommended) |
| Input Device | Integrated Intel, Wacom, or Synaptics active stylus that supports digital inking |
| ***Please note: These are the minimum required specifications. You may use a tablet with a faster processor (i7), more memory and a larger storage drive. | |
| Detailed Tablet Requirements |
In addition, the following are recommended:
- 3-year warranty with Accident Damage Protection
- A USB hard drive or cloud backup option
The following types of devices are not acceptable for use as your computer at Speed:
- iPad, any Apple computers or devices running iOS
- Chromebooks
- Android tablets or any devices running the Android operating system
- Windows Surface devices running the Windows RT or mobile operating system
- Devices running the Linux or Unix operating system
Consumer Grade vs. Business Grade Tablets:
In general we've found that business grade models of tablets perform better, last longer and provide the student with a total cost of ownership equal to that of consumer grade products. Many consumer grade tablets do not have the required digital pen or active stylus for digital inking. When purchasing a model other than those we've provided links for, be sure to ask the sales person whether it includes an active inking device.
The Speed IT Group has tested and evaluated several tablets.
Please review the Tablet PC Evaluation Page next. You will have an option to purchase any of the reviewed tablets at a discounted price on the purchase page.
For more information please contact:
Speed IT Helpdesk
Vogt Building Room 203
E-mail: spdhelp@louisville.edu
Phone: 502-852-7620
