Some colleges provide them (meaning the tuition covers them). This is more common with programs that require specialized software that would be too expensive for most students.
Given the cost of a laptop is only a few hundred dollars, at most, especially if all you need is web access and word processing, it isn’t a big deal. There are often computers available for free on campus in the library.
If you maintain a good high school GPA and get into CUNY Honors, I believe they give a free laptop. If not, a netbook may serve you well, for things like internet, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.