<p>I am going to enter VT Engineering this fall and was curious about the tablet requirement. I want to get a Mac and dual boot windows and was wondering if this would work well. I have an iPad to use as an external tablet could someone tell me of that would work too.</p>
<p>The tablet requirement is no longer a requirement, it is just recommended. Having just gone through the freshman engineering courses, i bought a hp laptop with a wacom bamboo usb tablet. The first semester i used the usb tablet alot and was able to do all the work with ease, the second semester i never needed the usb tablet at all. So i would say buy the mac and have dual boot ready (needed for applications), then buy the wacom bamboo usb tablet (its like $70).</p>
<p>PS: I willing to sell you my wacom usb tablet for $40</p>
<p>EDIT: I also have an ipad and it is probably the most useful device i had for college in all my other classes except engineering or cs, or any class that requires computers because of software. The ipad is just easier and lighter to carry around.</p>
<p>Primeboss: I read on a few threads that some students were given a failing grade for not having the tablet. Is this true?</p>
<p>It’s still a requirement but people deviate from the requirement and are willing to take the risks. [College</a> of Engineering Computer and Software Requirements Policy Statement | <a href=“http://www.eng.vt.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.eng.vt.edu](<a href=“http://www.eng.vt.edu/it/policy#deviation]College”>http://www.eng.vt.edu/it/policy#deviation)</a></p>
<p>Trust me you will be fine with the bamboo tablet extension. There was enough students with macs and other windows computers with wacom bamboo usb tablet to make it acceptable. I just did it Fall 11 and Spring 12, so i am direct proof.</p>
<p>Would the bamboo tablet be required after freshman year? If the two freshman engineering courses were already taken by a transfer student, would it be needed?</p>
<p>@BUKLAU Depends on your major. I am in CS, so i dont need it anymore, but i heard it is different for other majors.</p>