This paper uses panel data to seek to characterize the determinants of imports of computers across countries. The strongest findings are that computer adoption is associated with high levels of human capital, and with manufacturing trade openness vis-a-vis OECD. Considerable evidence is also found that computer adoption is enhanced by good property-rights protection, high rates of investment per worker, and a small share of agriculture in GDP. There is also some evidence for a negative role of the size of government and a positive role of the share of manufacturing in GDP. After controlling for the above mentioned variables, an independent role is not found for the English language skills of the population. The quantitative importance of these findings, as well as their theoretical interpretation, is discussed.