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Student Computer Recommendations

University Technology recommends the following minimum requirements for student-owned computers brought to campus.

Already Own a Computer?

We recommend that all computers* (laptops/notebooks and desktop computers) have the following minimum specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i3 or higher
• RAM: 4 GB (Mac and PC)
• Hard Drive: 500 GB
• Optical Drive: CD-ROM
• Operating System: Windows 7 or Mac OS X 10.9
• Video Card: OnBoard (Integrated)
• Network Card: 100 Mb Ethernet network card/adaptor
• *Wireless Card (only if using a laptop/notebook computer): 802.11 g

Looking to Purchase a New Computer?

We recommend that all new computers* (laptops/notebooks and desktop computers) have the following minimum specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i5 or higher
• RAM: 8 GB (Mac and PC)
• Hard Drive: 1 TB
• Optical Drive: DVD burner (Mac: Super Drive)
• Operating System: Windows 8.1 or Mac OS X 10.9
• Video Card: AMD/nVidia (dedicated/discreet for laptops, 512 MB memory for desktops)
• Network Card: Gigabit ethernet network card/adaptor
• *Wireless Card (only if using a laptop/notebook computer): 802.11 n

Software Recommendations

• Microsoft Office 2013 / Office 365 (PC) or Microsoft Office 2011 / Office 365 (Mac)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Java uninstalled or disabled (why disable Java?)
• Antivirus software (Free Antivirus Solutions)