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Comparable Schools'
Computers Grades:
Quick StatsWireless Network?
Yes - Air Link is available in certain buildings.
Computer Labs
13 - residence hall labs
59 - labs in campus buildings
24-Hour Labs?
Yes - Only during Dead Week– the week before finals week.
College Prowler Take
Computer labs can be found everywhere at Purdue, peeking around corners and hidden in basements, like eggs on Easter morning. Although the most obvious labs are usually crowded, a diligent student with an eye on the iTap website will be able to find many labs hidden away that will be mostly, if not completely, empty at any time of the day. Mac labs tend to be less crowded than PC labs, but either type can be found quite easily on the iTap website. The computers are updated every two to three years, keeping Purdue on the cutting edge of technology. It’s possible for a student to spend an entire college career without a computer of his or her own, but with the convenience of high-speed Internet in the residence halls, most students at Purdue recommend bringing your own computer. Leave your printer at home, though, because students are given a printing account by the University. If you’re an engineering student, you will find yourself working on University computers most of the time, thus printing not being a big issue. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
Purdue’s network could be better,...
Purdue’s network could be better, but it serves its purpose. There are myriad computer labs all over campus. There are some that are very popular, especially in Stewart Center, Stanley Coulter Hall, Beering Hall, and Matthews Hall. Stewart is usually the first lab to receive new computers and software upgrades. PCs are cycled through the labs, and they are generally used for about two years before they are salvaged. There are other labs, though, that see much less traffic. It would serve you well to know where they are. It is always convenient to have your own PC, especially around finals and midterms, when the labs are chock full of people. |
Anonymous says: |
Not being in a major where...
Not being in a major where computers are my sole source of interaction, I have found the network to be efficient, quick, and reliable. The labs are a bit lacking, however. They are often crowded, or they have classes occupying them. There are certain labs around campus though, such as any in the ENAD building, that are usually accessible. Look around and find the hidden, less-known labs. Avoid the popular ones. |
Anonymous says: |
The computers here are really...
The computers here are really good, but the labs tend to be crowded. If you don’t mind waiting for a bit to get a computer, you’ll be fine, but I’d recommend bringing your own. |
Anonymous says: |
There are bunches and bunches of...
There are bunches and bunches of computer labs all over campus, some less frequented than others because no one knows they exist, but you can pick up a map of where they all are. My favorites are ENAD, where there is the highest concentration of possible available computers, or the BCC, especially if you live nearby. It’s quiet, and the architecture is lovely—plus there’s always something going on there. |
Anonymous says: |
The computer network is first-rate...
The computer network is first-rate (I know, I work in the labs). Certain labs are always crowded. The key is to find the labs no one knows about (ask around, people will tell you). I highly advise bringing your own computer. Five years ago, the labs were a nice addition. Now, they’re almost like a crutch—homework, grades, you name it, you can do it on the computer. I had a class where we never handed in a paper. Just e-mailed it to the professor. Every single one of them. |
FactsDiscounted Software
One of the best-kept secrets on campus is the $5 software that is available for purchase at the Boiler Copy Center in PMU. An agreement with Microsoft allows Purdue to sell software such as Microsoft XP, Office XP Professional, Windows XP Pro, and Front Page, to name a few. By presenting a valid student ID, a student is eligible to receive one copy of each program.
Free Software
Log into apps.ics.purdue.edu and senter your user ID and password to download programs such as Adobe PageMaker 7, Adobe Photoshop 7, and AutoCAD 2002, to name a few. Different schools have additional free software, depending on what is required for the homework assignments.
Did You Know?Be careful what you download on the University bandwidth—a few years ago, several students were served with court papers for illegally downloading copyrighted materials onto their hard drives. You can’t claim the Fair Use Doctrine for this situation, folks, but you can certainly become a martyr for the rebellion—stop the RIAA! Through a recent agreement with Dell, Purdue students (and recent alumni) can purchase excellent computer systems for discounted prices. Engineers, check out the elite Engineering Computer Network (ECN) labs. These require an ECN log-on, available through the engineering schools, and gives you access to additional software geared towards the different engineering curriculums. The School of Technology also has its own computer system and additional software. The ECN labs in the Material Science Engineering Library allow you free printing. No money is deducted from your printing balance, and you can print as much as you want. The University Bookstore features very affordable software. There’s no need to blow bucks at any other place. The Bookstore can offer the same at around 20% of the original price.
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