Computer Resources

All students entering the College of Engineering (CENG) – either as a first-time first-year students or as a transfer student – are expected to have a laptop computer for class and homework use. You can purchase any laptop of your choice, but it is recommended that it meets the requirements listed at the link below. 

CENG Laptop Recommendations

Students can check out laptops, for academic use at no cost. To reserve items, visit Cal Poly Tech Rentals. Inventory is very limited due to current demand, and laptops are only being distributed to students at this time. Reservations are required and available on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be made two weeks in advance of the pick-up/delivery date. 

Tech Rentals – Cal Poly ITS Knowledge Base – Confluence (atlassian.net)

The College of Engineering provides access to a Remote Desktop environment for currently-enrolled Biomedical Engineering students. For step-by-step instructions, please visit the CENG ITS Support Page.

  1. Go to my.calpoly.edu and log in.
  2. Click “Technical Service Request” in the Single Click Links menu.
  3. Click “New Software Request”.
  4. In Software Title field type “MATLAB and Simulink R2017a for Students”
  5. Select the title that appears.
  6. Click “Yes” to agree to terms.
  7. On Method of Checkout, click “Download”.
  8. Click “Serial & Download Info” button.
  9. Follow Download and Install instructions given.

SolidWorks:

  1. Go to my.calpoly.edu and log in.
  2. Click “Technical Service Request” in the Single Click Links menu.
  3. Click “New Software Request”.
  4. In Software Title field type “SolidWorks Student Design Kit”
  5. Select the title that appears.
  6. Click “Yes” to agree to terms.
  7. On Method of Checkout, click “Download”.
  8. Click “Serial & Download Info” button.
  9. Follow Download and Install instructions given.

Note: Instructions constantly change in the “Technology Service Request” portal. Please follow all instructions carefully.  Mac Users: SolidWorks is not available for MacOS. Please use RemoteApp to access Solidworks.

Virtual Computer Labs enables the Cal Poly community to access academic software previously only available in on-campus labs using a web browser. Access and Instructions