Fall 2023 / Spring & Summer 2024
Undergraduate and transfer students at the J. B. Speed School of Engineering are required to have a mobile computer with an active digital pen that meets the minimum tablet specification listed on this site. Graduate students should have a laptop with the capability to fulfill their program requirements with a functional camera, microphone and speakers.
Students must provide their own device – Speed School will not provide one for you.
We provide recommendations for devices we’ve tested, which meet the requirements to help you succeed during your time at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. You may easily purchase one of the recommended device bundles from our preferred technology partner by clicking the “How to Purchase” button. For students who are interested in picking out their own device, or determining if an existing device works, we provide detailed requirements below our recommendations.
A Tablet for your Speed School Career
Please review the following short summaries of the Speed School recommended devices. More detailed information about them can be found on our tablet evaluation page. The recommendations below include a 4 year warranty with accidental protection; while not required, having a warranty provides students with an immediate backup plan if a failure does occur. Students with warrantied devices are eligible for one of our loaner laptops until the device is fixed.
Speed School Recommended Devices
The Standard – What do we think? A business class tablet that will meet all of the requirements of speed school. It easily runs all required engineering software, but won’t break the bank. An upgradable hard drive allows for increase storage when needed.
| The Standard | Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga L13 Gen 3 i7 |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 Professional |
| PC Processor | Intel Core i7 11th gen |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Storage Drive | 512 GB Solid State Drive |
 |
The Overachiever – What do we think? With an upgraded processor and larger hard drive it will easily handle engineering applications for all majors, but bio and mechanical majors will appreciate the extra power during upper-level coursework. Comes with better quality audio and display options when compared to The Standard.
| The Overachiever | Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga X13 Gen 3 i7 |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 Professional |
| PC Processor | Intel Core i7 11th gen |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Storage Drive | 512 GB Solid State Drive |
 |
The $$ Saver – What do we think? For those looking for the most affordable option this is the choice for you. We worked with Dell to build a heavily discounted unit. This Dell 2-in-1 device performed very well in our benchmark tests. It has a slightly larger display than the other devices we recommend and weights a bit more. There is no internal storage for the pen and it does not ship with the pen included; you must purchase it separately. This device converts to a tablet just like the Lenovo Yoga.
| The $$ Saver | Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 Home | |
| PC Processor | Intel Core i7 | |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | |
| Storage Drive | 512 GB Solid State Drive | |
| Purchase Separately | 4 Year Accidental Damage Extended Warranty, Dell Active Pen – PN5122W (or comparable) | |
 | ||
The Surface – What do we think? While desirable for its stylish design and ultra-slim profile, we find the lack of a notebook mode, rigid keyboard, and external ports frustrating. The Yoga is a notebook that converts to a tablet, where the surface is a tablet that tries to be a laptop notebook. Beyond these limitations, this model has the power and features you need for Speed School. Please note that you must make sure to get the Microsoft Surface with the Intel Core i5 or i7 Processor. Some Surface models have an ARM-based processor that will NOT run the engineering software. By purchasing from our technology partner, Connection, they will ensure you get the proper tablet.
| The Surface | Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Bundle | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 Professional | |
| PC Processor | Intel Core i7 | |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | |
| Storage Drive | 512 GB Solid State Drive | |
| Bundle Includes | Extended warranty, Surface Pro Signature Keyboard with Slim Pen 2 | |
 | ||
Want to build your own device?
Minimum tablet specifications
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| PC Processor | Intel Core i5 or i7 |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB or greater |
| Storage Drive | 512 GB or larger Hard Drive (Solid State Drive recommended) |
| Wireless | 802.11 ac dual band (WiFi certified recommended) |
| Input Device | Intel, Wacom, or similar active stylus that supports digital inking. New for Fall 2023: the input device is no longer required but still recommended. If you choose to purchase a device without an active stylus, refer to the Companion Devices page in the left navigation for more information. |
| Communication | Camera, microphone and speakers |
| Detailed Tablet Requirements |
In addition, the following are recommended:
- 4-year warranty with Accident Damage Protection
- A USB hard drive or cloud backup option
- Purchase a business grade rather than consumer grade tablet (ie. ThinkPad Yoga instead of the Yoga)
The following types of devices are not acceptable for use as your primary computer at Speed:
- iPad, any Apple computer or device running an Apple Operating System
- Chromebooks
- Android tablets or any devices running an Android based operating system
- Microsoft Surface devices with an ARM-based processor. This includes but is not limited to The Surface Pro X, devices running Windows RT, Windows 10 Home S Mode or mobile operating system
- Devices running the Linux or Unix operating system