<p>Ask at the Arch dept of the school you are attending. When my son was in the college search mode I was surprised at the wide range of requirements for system/software from different schools, there didn’t seem to be any standard. I was very happy that the school he chose supplies and includes the required laptop + software and maintenance plus upgrades all into the price of tuition, plus it gets replaced during 3rd yr with a new one which goes home with the graduate. Seems to me like a smart way to go, volume buying, everyone starts on the same page from day one, much easier on the tech department, and very little concern about theft as everyone has one. Asking around campus I found many students do bring a second laptop from home for non-school stuff.</p>