An Online Exhibit

Drew University was the first liberal arts college to issue their students a computer, starting in 1984. Here is a glimpse into the history of the Computer Initiative at Drew.

PictureNameYearSystem InformationSoftware

Apple MacBook Pro2012Intel Core i7 Processor (2.9 GHz), 8GB DDR3L SDRAM, 13.3” LED-Backlit display, 1280x800, 750GB Serial ATA hard drive, Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor, 720p FaceTime HD webcam, AirPort Extreme wireless, Gigabit wired Ethernet, Firewire 800 port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, Thunderbolt port, and 3 year AppleCare warranty

Apple MacBook Air2012Intel Core i5 Processor (1.7 GHz), 4GB DDR3L SDRAM, 11.6” TFT LED-Backlit display, 1366x768, Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor, 720p FaceTime HD webcam, 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, 2 USB 3.0 ports, Thunderbolt port, and 3 year AppleCare warranty

Lenovo ThinkPad L4302012

Lenovo ThinkPad T430s2012

Apple MacBook2011Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (2.4 GHz), 2GB DDR3 RAM, 13.3” LED-Backlit display, 1280x800, 250GB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor, AirPort Extreme wireless, Gigabit wired Ethernet, 2 USB 2.0 ports, Mini DisplayPort, and 3 year AppleCare warranty

Apple MacBook Pro2011Intel Core i7 Processor (2.7 GHz), 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, 13.3” LED-Backlit display, 1280x800, 500GB Serial ATA hard drive, Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor, Integrated FaceTime HD webcam, AirPort Extreme wireless, Gigabit wired Ethernet, Firewire 800 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, Thunderbolt port, and 3 year AppleCare warranty

Lenovo ThinkPad L4202011 

Lenovo ThinkPad T420s2011 

Lenovo ThinkPad L412 (base)2010Intel Core i3-330M Processor (2.13 GHz), 4GB DDR2 RAM, 2 DIMMs, 14.0” TFT LED Backlit display, 1366x768, 250GB HDD (5400 RPM), Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD, Integrated Intel 6200AGN Wireless, 10/100/1000 wired Ethernet, 2.0MP webcam, IEEE 1394 port, 4 USB 2.0, 1 eSATA port, DisplayPort output, and 4 year warranty with ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverageWindows 7 Professional, Microsoft Office 2007, Firefox, F-Prot, Adobe Digital School Collection 2010

Lenovo ThinkPad T410 (upgrade)2010Intel Core i5 540M (2.53-3.06GHz),4GB DDR3 RAM,14.1” TFT LED Backlit Display, 1440x900, 320GB HDD (5400 RPM), NVIDIA NVS3100M video graphics with 256MB, Bluetooth, Fingerprint Reader, Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN Wireless, 3 year battery warranty, 0/100/1000 wired Ethernet, 2.0MP webcam, IEEE 1394 port, 4 USB 2.0, 1 eSATA port, DisplayPort output, and 4 year warranty with ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverageWindows 7 Professional, Microsoft Office 2007, Firefox, F-Prot, Adobe Digital School Collection 2010

Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 (base)2009Intel Core2 Duo P8700 CPU, 4GB RAM 14.1 WXGA display, 160GB HDD, Intel 4500MHD graphics, Intel 5100AGN Wireless, HDMI out,10/100/1000 Wired Ethernet, 8x dual-layer DVD recorder, media card reader, IEEE1394 port, and 4 year warranty with ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverageWindows XP Professional, Microsoft Office 2007, Firefox, F-Prot, Adobe Digital School Collection 2009

Lenovo ThinkPad T400 (upgrade)2009Intel Core2Duo T9600 CPU, 14.1" WXGA+ LCD display, 250GB HDD, ATI Mobility 3470 w/256MB Ram, Intel 5300 AGN wireless, 10/100/1000 Wired Ethernet, 8x dual-layer DVD recorder, media card reader, IEEE1394 port, and 4 year warranty with ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverageWindows XP Professional, Microsoft Office 2007, Firefox, F-Prot, Adobe Digital School Collection 2009
Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet (upgrade)2008Tablet PC, 12.1" 1400x1050 LCD Display, 1.6 GHz ULV Intel Core Duo Processor, 2GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, 10/100/1000 wired Ethernet, Intel 802.11a/g/n Wireless, Bluetooth, IEEE 1394 port, media card reader, and 4 year warranty with ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverageWindows Vista Enterprise, Microsoft Office 2007, Firefox, F-Prot, Roxio Easy Media Creator
Lenovo ThinkPad T400 (base)2008Intel Core2 Duo T9400 processor, 14.1" LCD WXGA+ Display, ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 w/256MB video memory, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 10/100/1000 wired Ethernet, Intel 802.11a/g/n/Wireless Adapter, Bluetooth, IEEE 1394 port, media card reader, and 4 year warranty with ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverageWindows Vista Enterprise, Microsoft Office 2007, Firefox, F-Prot, Roxio Easy Media Creator
IBM ThinkPad T612007

Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, 120GB HDD, integrated 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, 10/100/1000 wired Ethernet, 56Kbps modem, CD/DVD multiburner drive, 3 USB 2.0 high speed ports, 1394 (FireWire) port, 14" 1440x900 WXGA+ LCD display, Bluetooth, media card reader, Intel 965GM or nVidia Quadro NVS 140M graphics card, and 4 year warranty with ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverage

Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Office 2007, Firefox, F-Prot for Windows, Roxio Easy Media Creator

(T60)

IBM ThinkPad R60 or T602006

Intel Core Duo laptop with 1.66 GHz T2300 or 2 GHz T2500 processor, 1 GB RAM, 80GB HDD, Integrated 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, 10/100/1000 wired Ethernet, 56Kbps modem, CD-RW/DVD-ROM or DVD-R/CD-RW modular drive, ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 64 MB video card, 2 USB 2.0 high speed ports, External S-Video port, 15" or 14" 1400x1050 TFT Active Matrix Display, PCMCIA slot, and 4 year warranty with IBM ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverage

Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Office 2003, Firefox, F-Prot for Windows, Roxio Easy Media Creator

(T43)

IBM ThinkPad R52 or T432005

Intel Centrino laptop with 1.86 GHz Pentium M processor, 1 GB RAM, 80GB HDD, Integrated 802.11b/g wireless networking, 10/100/1000 wired Ethernet, V.92 56Kbps modem, CD-RW/DVD-ROM modular drive, 2 USB 2.0 high speed ports, 1394 (FireWire) port, Parallel printer port, External S-Video port, IR port, 15" or 14" 1400x1050 SXGA+ LCD display, PCMCIA slot, and 4 year warranty with IBM ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverage

Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Office XP SP2, Mozilla 1.7.8, F-Prot for Windows, Roxio Easy Media Creator
IBM ThinkPad R512004

Intel Centrino laptop with 1.7 GHz Pentium M processor, 512 MB RAM, 80GB HDD, Integrated 802.11b/g wireless networking, 10/100/1000 wired Ethernet, V.92 56Kbps modem, CD-RW/DVD-ROM modular drive, 2 USB 2.0 high speed ports, 1394 (FireWire) port, Parallel printer port, External video port, IR port, 15" 1400x1050 LCD display, PCMCIA slot, 4 year warranty with IBM ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverage, and HP DeskJet 5150 printer

Windows XP Professional SP1, Microsoft Office 2003, Mozilla 1.7, F-Prot for Windows, Easy CD Creator, Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004
IBM ThinkPad R402003

Intel Centrino laptop with 1.6 GHz Pentium M processor, 512 MB RAM, 60GB HDD, Integrated 802.11b wireless networking, 10/100 wired Ethernet, V.92 56Kbps modem, CD-RW/DVD-ROM modular drive, 2 USB 2.0 high speed ports, 1394 (FireWire) port, Parallel printer port, External video port, IR port, 15" 1400x1050 LCD display, PCMCIA slot, 4 year warranty with IBM ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverage, and Epson Stylus C82 printer

Windows XP Professional SP1, Microsoft Office XP, Mozilla 1.4, F-Prot for Windows, Easy CD Creator, Macromedia Dreamweaver MX
Compaq Evo N1000C2002Intel Pentium 4 1.7 GHz processor, 15-inch XGA display, 256 MB DDR SDRAM, 30 GB SMART hard drive, DVD/CD-RW combo drive, integrated 10/100 Mbps network card, 802.11b wireless network card, integrated 56Kbps modem, and Epson C60 printer.Microsoft Office XP Professional,
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX,
Mozilla IMAP mail client,
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Compaq Armada E5002001900 Mhz Pentium III- 128MB RAM, 20 GB HD, CD-RW, 14.1" TFT display, Integrated 10/100 networking and 56Kbps modem, 802.11B wireless network card, video out, and 
Epson Stylus 880 printer		Microsoft Office XP 
Macromedia DreamWeaver 
Netscape 
Windows 98
Compaq Armada E5002000Celeron 550 - 128MB RAM, 6 GB HD, 24x CD-ROM, 13.3" TFT display, Integrated 10/100 networking and 56Kbps modem, video out, and 
Epson Stylus 760 printer		WordPerfect Suite 2000 
Macromedia DreamWeaver 
Netscape 
Windows 98
Acer TravelMate 512T1999Celeron 366 - 64MB RAM, 4.1GB HD, 24x CD-ROM, 12.1" TFT display, Xircom 10/100 network adapter, Integrated 56Kbps modem, and  
Epson Stylus 640 printer		WordPerfect Suite 2000 
Netscape  
Windows 98
 Acer Extensa 368D1998Pentium 233 MMX - 32MB RAM, 3.2GB HD, 20x CD-ROM, 12.1" color display, 3Com 10/100 network adapter, Integrated 56Kbps modem, and 
Epson Stylus 600 printer		WordPerfect Suite 8  
Windows 98
Texas Instruments ESS21997Pentium 133 - 16MB RAM, 1.4GB HD, 8x CD-ROM, 11.3" dual scan color display, Motorola Mariner 28.8 Kbps Modem/Ethernet Card, and 
HP DeskJet 694C printer		WordPerfect Suite 8 for Windows 
Windows 95
Texas Instruments Extensa 5101996Pentium 100 - 16MB RAM, 810MB HD, 10.4" dual scan color display, Megahertz 14.4 KBps PCMCIA Modem, and 
HP DeskJet 600C printer		WordPerfect Suite 7.0 for Windows 
Windows 95
Digital HiNote199580486 - 8MB RAM, 170MB HD, and 
printer		WordPerfect 6.1 for Windows  
Quattro Pro 6.0 for Windows
Digital DECpc 433se199480486-33 - 4MB RAM, 120MB HD, and 
Epson printer		WordPerfect 6.0b (DOS) 
Quattro Pro 5.0 for Windows 
Windows 3.0
Panasonic CF-1000199380386sx - 4MB RAM, 60MB HD or 
(upgrade) 80486sx - 4M, 85MB HD, and 
Epson printer		WordPerfect 6.0 
Quattro Pro 5.0
Digital DECpc 320p199280386sx - 2MB RAM, 40MB HD, and 
Epson printer		WordPerfect 5.1 
Quattro Pro 4.0
Zenith Supersport 286e199180286 - 1MB RAM, 40MB HD, and 
Epson printer		WordPerfect 5.1
Zenith Supersport 2861990

80286 - 640K RAM, 40MB HD, and 
Epson LX-810 printer
2400 Baud Modem

WordPerfect 5.1
MS-DOS 3.2
Zenith Supersport19898088 - 640K RAM, Dual 3.5" Floppy (Optional 20MB HD), and 
Epson LX-810 printer

WordPerfect 5.0 
Enable
MS-DOS 3.2

Zenith 18119888088 - 640K RAM, Dual 3.5" Floppy, and 
Epson LX-800 printer		WordPerfect 5.0 
Enable
Zenith 1571987

8088 - 640K RAM, ATI Graphics Card, Dual 5.25" Floppy Drives, Internal 1200 Baud Modem, and 
Epson LX-800 printer

WordPerfect 4.2 
Enable (Full)
MS-DOS 3.2

Epson Equity I19868088 - 512K RAM, Dual 5.25" Floppy, and 
Epson FX-85 printer

Student WordPerfect 4.1 
Enable (Educational)
MS-DOS 3.1

Epson QX-1619858088 and Z80 - 512RAM, Dual 5.25" Quad Floppy, and Epson FX-85 printer

Valdocs +
GW-BASIC 
MS-DOS 2.11
CPM-80

Epson QX-10
[story below!]		1984Z-80 - 128K RAM, Titan board, Dual 5.25" FloppyValdocs 1 
PeachCalc 
CPM-80

Year 1, The Epson QX-10


The QX-10 was the first computer issued to students as part of Drew's Computer Initiative. I received mine when I transferred into Drew in January of 1985. Our class was the experiment. Computers were set up in the dorms so when students arrived everything was ready and waiting in their rooms. Commuters, such as myself, picked up their computers and set them up at home. Since we didn't get printers, we still relied heavily on the computer center or dorm labs for print services. The first planning mistake... one printer per room.

The idea of every student having a computer was still very novel. Very few schools were doing this and the prior year, Drew had made its announcement making it the first Liberal Arts college to do so. CPM was a major operating system, DOS was run on our Titan cards, IBM-PCs were for the wealthy, and Macs were on the drawing board. Computers were boxes with just the basics for software. Email was unheard of by most people. Computers were the future and we were there.

Our word processor was a package called Valdocs. This package was a walking time bomb. If you stuck with the early version it worked just fine, but everyone knew what the mysterious error 17 was. The people at the computer center could fix it, but few others could. Each new version of Valdocs was free and Drew was a BETA site. This meant that each new version solved an old problem and gave you two new ones to replace it. A valuable lesson was being learned... while computers were changing how we wrote our papers, the dog wasn't the only thing that could eat your homework.

It was off to a rough start, but it was definitely worth pursuing. Due to a contractual problem, the QX-10's reign on campus would be a short one. That summer, all QX-10s were recalled and replaced with the QX-16 so we could run GW-Basic as promised. PeachCalc was ours to keep, and most people who did so just used it as a doorstop.

"The Lap-Top Computer Goes to College": A NY Times Consumer World Article

Drew University first issued laptop computers to incoming students in 1988.

You can read about this "new idea" of issuing laptops to college students in this article published in August 1989.

NY Times home delivery or digital subscribers can also see the article in its original context on TimesMachine.

A Look Back: Ten Years Since the Last Computer Initiative Handout, August 23, 2012

In August 2022, University Technology published a retrospective review of the Computer Initiative program. You can read that here.

Reviewed November 12, 2025