The intended audience for this article is new and returning students. Faculty and staff should consult the LITS Help Desk for advice.
See also:
Personal laptops
Many students find a personal laptop to be very useful in college; see the Laptop Purchasing Guide for more. For questions regarding specific requirements, please contact the department of your major or intended major.
Mobile devices
While not required, mobile devices can be helpful for note taking, digital textbooks, or as a two-factor authentication device. Compatibility with our wireless network is usually the most important factor.
- Smartphones: most up-to-date Apple & Android devices will work
- Tablets: most Apple and Android tablets will work, provided they have the most recent updates installed
- E-readers: newer E-readers (e.g., Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight, Remarkable 2, etc.) should work
Other essentials
- Laptop protection: a padded sleeve/case or dedicated backpack compartment. The most common place we see laptops be damaged is in backpacks!
- Data backup solution: an external storage drive or online cloud service
- Documentation: any system info, license keys, proof of warranty/service plan, etc.
Optional accessories
- battery bank
- headset for online learning
Game consoles
Game consoles such as PlayStations and Nintendo Switches can't connect to the College's primary wireless network (eduroam), but they are supported on our gaming Wi-Fi network.
What NOT to bring
Unsupported devices
Any device running an unsupported operating system. This includes Windows 7, 8, 10 and older or MacOS 12 Monterey and older, which no longer receive security updates and are not permitted to connect to the College’s network.
Devices that broadcast
Any device that may cause connectivity issues or interfere with other students’ devices. The following devices are not permitted to be set up on-campus:
- Wireless printers
- Personal Wi-Fi hotspots (including cellphone hotspots)
- Wireless access points or routers
- Wireless-based backup devices
- Home automation/smart home devices that broadcast a signal
- Any other device that broadcasts its own network name/SSID
Unsecure devices
Any device that requires a wired network connection or does not support WPA-2 Enterprise. These devices won’t be able to connect to the College’s network. Common examples are:
- Smart home speakers/assistants (e.g., Google Home or Amazon Echo)
- Media streaming devices (e.g., Roku, Chromecast, Fire Stick, and smart TVs)
Questions?
If you have any additional questions or problems, don't hesitate to reach out to the Help Desk!
Phone: 610-526-7440 | Library and Help Desk hours
Email: help@brynmawr.edu | Service catalog
Location: Canaday Library 1st floor
