Resources

Laptop Requirements

The department has a requirement that all students have a notebook computer. Most Construction Management classes emphasize cooperative projects/assignments, and a notebook computer provides the required mobility to facilitate collaboration. In today’s construction environment, computing is an integral component with the computer being the standard tool. A notebook computer is the key to having computing capability available at all times and all locations.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to afford the technology you need to be academically successful you can contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to determine if there are any resources available to assist you.

Follow this link to Financial Aid.

A note about Mac laptops.

We get a number of people asking about using Mac vs a PC. The CM department highly recommends that the student purchase a PC as many of the programs will not run on a Mac. Buying a Mac computer for use in the Construction Management department will ensure that you will have difficulty in completing assignments.

FAQ'S

Recommendations: updated 7/15/24

NO MAC LAPTOPS

Processor: Intel Core i7 (12th generation) or better

Memory: 16 GB RAM

Display Card: 4GB GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or better.
*You may see something like 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Graphics on the box. As long as the number in front of GB is 4 or greater, your graphics card will be acceptable.*

Disk Space: 1TB

Screen Size: While a 15" screen is acceptable, remember that you will be looking at large spreadsheets and plans. A 17" may be a bit heavier, but will be easier on your eyes.

For more information on computer systems, please contact the University Bookstore or visit the computer tab of their web site at https://www.bkstr.com/calpolystore/shop/electronics/computers-tablets. Additionally, you may visit dell.com/calpoly, Microsoft Education or Costco.

Students can get windows 11 free through https://onthehub.com/.

If you have any further questions, please phone or email the Construction Management Department.