Laptop Program

The Laptop Program at Sacred Heart University ensures that all members of our academic community—students, faculty and staff—have access to standardized, supported and high-quality computing equipment. Managed by the IT Procurement team, this program supports device acquisition, hardware refreshes and guidance on hardware requirements by academic role or program.

Program Details

All undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to purchase a personal laptop that meets University standards. Sacred Heart University has partnered with Connection to curate and host an approved list of Lenovo laptop models that meet University standards. Only the models listed through the Connection portal have been reviewed and authorized by SHU IT Procurement and all include a four-year accidental damage protection plan, ensuring full on-campus support and repair through the PioTech Center.

For Apple devices, SHU provides a dedicated link to the Apple Education Store, where students can purchase Apple products at discounted academic pricing.

Please note: All purchases are made directly with the vendor—either Connection or Apple—and not through Sacred Heart University.

Which Laptop is Right for You?

Some academic programs have specific laptop requirements:

Apple laptops are required for:

  • Art & Design
  • Media Studies
  • Communication Technology

Windows PC laptops, like Lenovo, are required for:

  • Accounting
  • Business Analytics & Applied AI
  • Business Economics
  • Finance
  • Financial Technology & Analytics

If your major is not listed above, you may choose whichever laptop you feel most comfortable using. However, please note that Sacred Heart University only provides support for Apple, Lenovo or Dell laptops. Choosing a supported brand ensures your device is eligible for technical assistance and repair services through the PioTech Center.

Vendor & Warranty Information

Devices are ordered directly from SHU-approved vendors and shipped to the user’s home.

Connection

SHU’s preferred vendor for student and institutional purchases. Devices ordered through Connection include a 4-year warranty with accidental damage protection. Supported models include Lenovo ThinkPad and Legion series.

Apple

Apple devices supported by SHU include MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. When purchased through Apple’s educational storefront, these devices must include AppleCare+ for extended warranty support.

Full-Time Faculty

Full-time faculty receive a University-issued laptop that is refreshed every four years. Each spring, eligible faculty receive an email invitation to select their device and peripherals. Any laptop upgrade or peripheral that incurs a cost must be approved with a departmental index.

Laptops are distributed over the summer during scheduled refresh sessions.

Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct faculty may request a University-issued laptop each academic year, pending department chair approval. Visit the Standard Hardware Purchase webpage for more information. A departmental billing index is required, though there is no charge unless the device is lost or damaged. Devices must be returned when the adjunct is no longer actively teaching.

Staff who require a laptop must participate in the Laptop Rental Program. These laptops are issued in place of a desktop computer and follow a standard four-year refresh cycle. The IT team will assign a device based on inventory availability and requested specifications.

Staff due for refresh will receive instructions each spring via SHU email regarding device selection and scheduling.

Visit the Standard Hardware Purchase webpage for more information. 

Need Help?

If you have questions about your eligibility, which laptop to choose or how to submit a request, please contact the IT Procurement team at it-procurement@sacredheart.edu.