USMA computers

<p>Are plebes allowed to bring a personal desktop computer to WP in addition to the laptop they are issued?</p>

<p>No, this is not done. You may have what you are issued.</p>

<p>No. You will be issued a lap top after the March Back. This lap top will be configured to meet the West Point requirements as much of your classwork and communication will be done on line. Although companies differ in what they allow you to have on your desk, a desktop computer is not on the permitted list. Even if your company did not care if you had a desktop, it would have to be removed for inspection...storage is limited in your room and locker room. Your issued laptop will be high quality with all of the capability you will need and want. </p>

<p>At some point your company may allow you to have a large monitor to connect to your laptop. But remember, you will periodically be scrambling companies and what one company allows another one very well may not. Finally, as a Plebe you are very limited as to what you may have in your room. Privileges are earned as you move through the class system.</p>

<p>This is a link to the computer system for class of 2012.
IETD</a> External Website</p>

<p>In addition, the Class of 2012 was issued a large flat screen monitor - I am not sure of the size.</p>

<p>A year ago a friend of mine brought up his own personal computer simply because he had a lot of stuff on it that he didn't have time to copy. Apart from that I have never seen a desktop anywhere else. Like the others have said, everyone in a class is issued the same computer, designed and packaged specifically to meet USMA's educational and technological requirements, as well as to run on the DoD network. So unless you have a pressing need to bring your own computer (and if so I would wait until probably the second semester at least; bringing it on R-Day is inviting soooo much trouble that you don't want), don't do it. You don't have the space or time.</p>

<p>Can you imagine someone in cadre who decides: you brought it, you carry it....and then you schlep it around all day in your green bag???</p>

<p>
[quote]
simply because he had a lot of stuff on it that he didn't have time to copy.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>this is why they make thumb drives!</p>

<p>for the laptops, does West Point specifically issue laptops to cadets. Thus, every plebe have the same laptop? Can someone please explain how the system works?<br>
Thanks </p>

<p>-kpsong87</p>

<p>After march back, during reorgy week you will be issued a laptop and a printer. Everyone in your plebe class will be issued the exact same computer.</p>

<p>kpsong87- see post #4. That is the link to the computer that was issued.</p>

<p>I was also wondering, does the sophomores and up have to use the same laptop that they were given since there plebe year? Why is there such a strict regulation on laptops- does it matter if someone else has a Mac or a VAIO?</p>

<p>kpsong - cadets keep their issued computers for 4 years unless they need to be replaced due to damage/failure. Yes, this means that plebes have more "up to date" computers than the upperclassmen do. Cadets cannot choose to have a "Mac or a VAIO ".</p>

<p>AS to why, this also holds int he corporate world. It is likely more important to the organization to have a standard issue --parts, software consistnecy etc- networking issues, security , than to allow the individual preferences ..... It woudl be easy to say 'its the Army here' but keep in mind (in my expereience) the corporate world is similar --- just a matter of degree</p>

<p>I believe this is also a security issue. </p>

<p>DoD knows exactly what is downloaded on each computer. Believe it or not, Big Brother knows if something is there that should not be and there are consequences (among other things, shareware and porn are a big, big no-no... one of my cadet's company-mates had his computer taken from him for 2 weeks because of a violation). The issued laptops come downloaded with everything conceivable which is needed by the cadet for classwork. That said, purchased games can be played on the computers, provided they are the original discs and they are not copied. And as JustAMomof4 said, thumb drives can hold what you want/need to transport from home. Keep in mind as well that many Plebes are 3-men in a 2-man room. That equals very little space for extras.</p>