This is probably in the wrong spot and should be in the Navy Nuke forum (since that is what it seems you are asking about).
In my experience, a laptop was not needed in school. Electronic devices such as that were not even allowed in the school building when I was there since all the classwork and schoolbooks were classified at various levels.
She should have a few grand in her checkbook after getting out of boot camp. So things like this she can splurge for herself. The first thing I bought when I got out of bootcamp and into Charleston was a nice alarm clock ($100 in 2001). I still use that same alarm clock today.
Additionally, after the second phase of the training pipeline (nuclear power school), she probably will recieve 1/3 of her signing bonus to help her transition to prototype.