Academics

Computer Recommendations

The College of Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences does not recommend a specific type or brand of computer; we encourage students to make that decision based on their college lifestyle and personal preference.

Some students wouldn't be without a laptop and carry it everywhere. 
Since most of the buildings on the OU campus are wireless, it's very easy to carry a laptop around and find a comfortable area to work.

Other students prefer to use a desktop in their dorm or apartment or in one of the computer labs on campus. Desktops tend to be less expensive than laptops depending on the features required.

The choice of Apple or PC is also up to the student; about 45% of the computers in the College of Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences are Macs (up from 15% a few years ago). While there are advantages and disadvantages to either platform, you are encouraged to make use of the computer labs maintained by the college and the university. These facilities have access to Apple and PC computers hosting OS X, MS Windows or Linux. You are encouraged to make use of these facilities, work with the various computers and operating systems and find a fit that best fits you, your field of study, and lifestyle.

In addition, with the numerous computer labs located in the college and around the university, you may find that during your first year of study, a computer is not really necessary. As an incoming freshman, you will be working primarily on General Education requirements, along with Calculus, Physics, and Computer Science prerequisites if you are pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, or beginning language courses if you are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Once you have made the decision to purchase a computer and you are fully registered student, you will qualify for discounts at the OUIT Store. In addition to hardware, the store also offers educational discounts for software and peripheral devices.