Computers and Laptops
All SAIT students must purchase a computer or a laptop that meets their program's requirements before the first day of classes.
You may need to bring your computer to campus if your classes are in-person.
The basic minimum hardware and software requirements to participate in classes and complete assignments fall into one of four categories:
- standard
- power user
- workstation
- custom
To find out which type of computer you'll need, review the list of programs for each option. If your program is not listed, please check the program page for specific requirements or contact the Academic Chair.
Students enrolled in any online classes also need a computer camera, microphone and speakers (integrated or external.)
Not sure where to purchase your computer? You can order via SAIT's preferred vendor, Dell. Dell offers a catalogue of laptops in the standard, power user and workstation configurations with exclusive student pricing.
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 involving 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 signal quality.
Standard hardware and software
Academic Services programs
Apprenticeship programs
- This is applicable to most* AIT apprenticeship training at SAIT.
*A laptop is not required for the welder apprenticeship.
MacPhail School of Energy programs
- Bachelor of Applied Technology Petroleum Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Technology
- Chemical Laboratory Technology
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Electronics 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
School for Advanced Digital Technology programs
- Radio, Television and Broadcast News - Radio Major
- Radio, Television and Broadcast News - News Major
- Radio, Television and Broadcast News - Television Major
School of Business programs
- Accounting
- Administrative Information Management
- Bachelor of Applied Business Administration
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Business Administration
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Community Economic Development
- Information and Records Management
- Legal Assistant
- Library Information Technology
- Management and Leadership
- Marketing
- Office Professional
School of Construction programs
- Geomatics Engineering Technology
- Pre-employment Cabinetmaker
- Pre-employment Carpenter
- Pre-employment Pipetrades
- Pre-employment Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
School of Hospitality and Tourism programs
- Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Butchery and Charcuterie Management
- Culinary Arts
- Hospitality and Tourism Management - Beverage Management
- Hospitality and Tourism Management - Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Hospitality and Tourism Management - Event Management
- Hospitality and Tourism Management - Hotels and Accommodation
- Hospitality and Tourism Management - Multi-Disciplinary
- Hospitality and Tourism Management - Restaurant and Service Operations
- Hospitality and Tourism Management - Travel and Tourism
School of Health and Public Safety programs
- 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
- Ophthalmic and Optometric Assisting
- Optician
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Primary Care Paramedic
- Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant
- Respiratory Therapy
School of Manufacturing and Automation programs
- Machinist Technician
- Non-Destructive Testing Foundations
- Pre-employment Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
- Welding Engineering Technology
- Welding and Fabrication Technology
School of Transportation programs
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology
- Aircraft Structures Technician
- Automotive Service Technology
- Avionics Technology
- Business Administration - Automotive Management
- Diesel Equipment Technician
- Pre-employment Auto Body
- Pre-employment Automotive Service Technician
- Pre-employment Mobile Crane
- Railway Conductor
Power-user hardware and software
School for Advanced Digital Technology programs
- Business Intelligence - Data Analysis and Reporting
- Cyber Security for Control Systems
- Data Analytics
- Database Administrator
- Information Technology Services
- Information Security Analyst
- Information Systems Security
- Network Systems Specialist
- Object-Oriented Software Development
- Software Development
- Technology Infrastructure Analyst
- Web Developer
School of Construction programs
Workstation hardware and software
School of Construction
School of Manufacturing and Automation
Custom hardware and software requirements
Some programs require hardware and software beyond the standard, power user, or workstation configurations.
Please see your program page to find specific requirements.
School for Advanced Digital Technology programs
School of Business programs