Free SOFTWARE. The essential software of being a student is available to MIT as download. This list is long, but perhaps the most important to get started will be:
Microsoft Office
Windows 10
VM-ware for a Windows partition on a Mac
Matlab (takes a long time to download and install)
HARDWARE. MIT students can get discounts on Dell and Apple products. MIT also has a limited number of academic year loaners. If you ask early enough, you might be lucky enough to get a laptop. Some research projects will pay for a computer.
PRINTING. 3000 pages on MIT Athena printers is your allotment per academic year. You can see how much you use on your TechCash account. Color printing is only available on the 5th Floor Student Center (Stratton) cluster. Black and White printers are located in the libraries, dorms, student center, the infinite corridor and other clusters (inconveniently) located throughout campus.