Computers and laptops
All SAIT students will require a computer or laptop for their program. Review the Bring your own device (BYOD) section below to find your program and get your tech ready to start at SAIT.
If your program is not listed below, please check the program page for specific requirements or contact your Academic Chair.
Internet and bandwidth recommendations for online learning
Ensure you have a reliable internet connection to participate in your online classes. Most plans offered by internet service providers will meet the bandwidth and available data requirements.
- Recommended: 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload
- Minimum: 6Mbps download and 400Kbps upload
- Test your bandwidth speed
Higher speeds will help, particularly for courses that may involve media elements such as video.
To improve your connection speed when streaming video and audio, we recommend you access the internet via a wired connection using an Ethernet cable, as wireless can be less reliable depending on the quality of the signal.
Bring your own device (BYOD)
Students will be required to purchase a computer or a laptop ahead of their first day of classes. If you are enrolled in in-person classes on campus, you must bring a computer that meets your program requirements.
The basic minimum hardware and software requirements you will need to participate in classes and complete assignments fall into one of three categories - standard, power user and workstation.
To find out which type of computer you will need, review the list of programs for each option.
❗️All students will need a computer camera, microphone and speakers (integrated or external) so they can participate in online classes. ❗️
Not sure where to purchase your computer? You can order via SAIT's preferred vendor, Dell. Dell offers a catalog of laptops in the standard, power user and workstation configurations with exclusive pricing for students.
Standard hardware and software
Applicable programs include:
| This is applicable to all AIT apprenticeship training at SAIT. |
| Academic Upgrading |
| English Language Foundations |
| Open Studies |
| Accounting |
| Administrative Information Management |
| Bachelor of Applied Business Administration |
| Bachelor of Business Administration |
| Business Administration |
| Business and Entrepreneurship |
| Community Economic Development |
| Legal Assistant |
| Management and Leadership |
| Marketing |
| Office Professional |
| Civil Engineering Technology |
| Geomatics Engineering Technology |
| Pre-employment Cabinetmaker |
| Pre-employment Carpenter |
| Pre-employment Pipetrades |
| Pre-employment Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
| Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management |
| Baking and Pastry Arts |
| Butchery and Charcuterie Management |
| Culinary Arts |
| Hospitality and Tourism Management |
| Advanced Care Paramedic |
| Dental Assisting |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography |
| Healthcare Leadership |
| Health Information Management |
| Medical Device Reprocessing Technician |
| Medical Laboratory Assistant |
| Medical Laboratory Technology |
| Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk |
| Medical Radiologic Technology |
| Nuclear Medicine Technology |
| Nutrition for Healthy Lifestyles |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Assisting |
| Optician |
| Pharmacy Assistant |
| Primary Care Paramedic |
| Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant |
| Respiratory Therapy |
| Machinist Technician |
| Non-Destructive Testing Foundations |
| Pre-employment Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) |
| Welding Engineering Technology |
| Welding Technician |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology |
| Aircraft Structures Technician |
| Automotive Service Technology |
| Avionics Technology |
| Business Management - Automotive Management |
| Diesel Equipment Technician |
| Pre-employment Automotive Service Technician |
| Railway Conductor |
| Bachelor of Applied Technology Petroleum Engineering |
| Chemical Engineering Technology |
| Chemical Laboratory Technology |
| Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Energy Asset Management |
| Environmental Technology |
| Instrumentation Engineering Technology |
| Integrated Water Management |
| Land Analyst |
| Petroleum Engineering Technology |
| Petroleum Land Administration |
| Power Engineering Technology |
| Power and Process Operations |
| Pre-employment Electrician |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations |
| Information and Records Management |
| Library Information Technology |
Power-user hardware and software
Applicable programs include:
| Business Intelligence - Data Analysis and Reporting |
| Data Analytics |
| Database Administrator |
| Information Technology |
| Network Systems Specialist |
| Object-Oriented Software Development |
| Technology Infrastructure Analyst |
| Web Developer |
| Graphic Communications and Print Technology |
| Architectural Technologies |
| Engineering Design and Drafting |
| Bachelor of Science Construction Project Management |
| Electronics Engineering Technology |
Workstation hardware and software
Applicable programs include:
| Bachelor of Applied Technology Geographic Information Systems |
| Radio, Television and Broadcast News |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology |
Custom hardware and software requirements
Some programs require additional further hardware and software requirements beyond the standard, power user, or workstation configurations. Please see your program page for more information.
Applicable programs include:
| Cyber Security for Control Systems (see the program page for specific computer requirements) |
| Film and Video Production (see the program page for specific computer requirements) |
| Graphic Communications and Print Technology (see the program page for specific computer requirements) |
| Information Security Analyst (see the program page for specific computer requirements) |
| Information Systems Security (see the program page for specific computer requirements) |
| Journalism (see the program page for specific computer requirements) |
| New Media Production and Design (see the program page for specific computer requirements) |
| Radio, Television and Broadcast News (see the program page for specific computer requirements) |