This session addresses the opportunities and challenges of developing an equitable and financially sustainable student laptop program tailored to the unique needs of art and design colleges, but with applicability to all higher education institutions. Participants will learn strategies to balance student choice with budgetary and programmatic constraints, optimize device lifecycle management, and increase student compliance to result in re-imagining computer labs on campus. The relevance lies in providing practical solutions for higher education IT professionals grappling with the complexities of implementing cost-effective and high- performance technology initiatives in creative learning environments. Key findings include budget-conscious methods for offering diverse device options including student- provided devices and institution-provided devices, best practices for lifecycle management to minimize long-term costs, and strategies for collaborative decision-making among stakeholders. The session will unfold through a dynamic mix of presentation and discussion focusing on lessons learned, stakeholder engagement, and relevance of the laptop program to the institution’s strategic plan.