For the past several years we’ve been surveying entering students about the technology they plan to bring to campus. What students are now bringing is vastly different from what they were coming with twenty years ago.
Bringing a computer to campus
In the most current survey of students, asked shortly after they accepted the College’s offer of admission, roughly 61% already had a computer that they planned to bring to campus. Of those that didn’t already have a computer, 39% planned to purchase one before arriving. For roughly 31%, that purchase presents a financial hardship for them and their families. While there are some programs that provide students with computers, only 2% of entering Swarthmore students participate in those programs.
The operating system of choice
In the first few years of this century, roughly 80% of the students had Windows computers. Now, about 78% of entering students who responded to the question are bringing an Apple Laptop, and 24% are bringing a Windows laptop. (Yes, a few students bring both.) Only 8% of responding students are bringing a desktop of some type, about evenly split between Windows and Macintosh. (Please note that we strongly encourage students to bring a laptop if they are bringing just one computer.) And just a few students (1%) said they are bringing a Linux system. For those students who are provided with a laptop by the College, under the new pilot program for students with financial need who don’t already have a computer, 94% chose Mac laptops and 6% chose Windows laptops. These days, a laptop is essential, and there are only a few bits of software that are specific to one operating system or another.
Most common technical specs
For those bringing a computer, the most common amount of RAM specified was 8 GB (51%), followed by 16 GB of RAM (33%), with a smattering of those with both more and less RAM on their systems. Hard drive sizes were slightly more likely to be 256 GB (37%) than 500 GB (33%), again with a few bringing either more or less capable systems. The most popular operating systems were MacOS 13 (Ventura) and Windows 11 on the incoming students’ computers this year.
Other technology?
Some students and faculty consider an iPad to be an essential tool for taking notes in class, or for other activities. Of those students who responded to the survey, 34% said they were bringing an iPad. In comparison, only a few opted for an MS Surface or Android tablet.
There are a plethora of other types of technology that require an internet connection, among them gaming systems, video streaming devices and other internet connected gear. Roughly 48% of the students who responded to the incoming student survey said that they were bringing additional devices that would require an internet connection.
College resources
The College continues to provide students with computers throughout the Libraries and in the dorms, as well as in specialized labs around the campus. The need for some of these systems may diminish as the ever increasing number of students with technology that enhances their educational capabilities makes more interesting pedagogy possible. As part of Swarthmore Forward, the College has committed to enhancing the equity of students resources for completing academic work required during their four years at Swarthmore. We expect that computers that allow students ever increasing participation in academic work to certainly be a part of that promise.