As Rensselaer's Mobile Computing Program celebrates its fourth year, what was once a dream has become a reality: now every single Rensselaer undergrad will have his or her own laptop computer.

	Gary Gold

Envisioning a time when interactive classes would be the norm, Rensselaer in 1999 began requiring incoming undergraduate students to use laptops for their coursework. Administrators forged a partnership with the IBM Corporation and started offering one of the company's high-end portable computers with the software needed for freshmen courses at a dramatic discount to students and faculty.

"We've definitely hit a landmark," said Myra Williams, assistant director of academic and research computing and manager of the Mobile Computing Program. "The idea was to give all the undergraduate students access to Internet connections and the best computer software anywhere and at anytime. Through all the improvements to campus and the laptop packages, we've done that."

Since the program's birth, computer specifications have changed as technology has evolved. For example, the Class of 2006's IBM ThinkPad T30s have slightly larger hard drives than their predecessors. DVD/CD-RW combo drives, more security measures, and access to the most current version of Waterloo Maple, a symbolic algebra program, are included. The laptops come with a three-year PC protection warranty covering accidental damage and a Kelty carrying case that was designed with the input of Rensselaer students.

Upgrades in the packages, however, do not mean that older laptops are out-of-date. Each class's PC is very powerful, said Williams. "Every year we try to add a lot of value to the unit we pick, as much as we can. So they all are great computers."

For more information, go to www.rpi.edu/laptops, or contact MOBILE-L@rpi.edu or ext. 7777.