Faculty leadership for each major, in collaboration with input from their industry council, determines the eStout laptop platform (HP/Apple) to effectively address students' educational requirements and prepare them for the professional arena. The eStout program is responsible for implementing this academic decision, thereby not allowing students the option to choose their own platform, with no exceptions.

Students majoring in the following majors are provided Apple MacBooks (macOS):

• Animation & Digital Media
• Art Education
• Arts Administration & Entrepreneurship
• Graphic Communications
• Graphic Design & interactive Media
• Illustration
• Professional Communication and Emerging Media (Starting Fall '25, Prof Comm will move to HP)
• Studio Art
• Video Production 

All other majors, as well as undecided and special students, are issued an HP laptop (Windows).

Dual-Major Students

Students who are pursuing dual majors with different platforms (HP/Apple), can choose between an Apple or HP. An Apple MacBook is recommended because it can be loaded with both OSX and Windows.

Switching Academic Majors

When a student undergoes a change in major that affects designated platforms (HP/Apple), the eStout Student Coordinator will email them with details for exchanging laptops. Typically, this transition occurs at the start of the fall or spring semesters. The major change must be officially completed in AccessStout for the exchange to take place.