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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 Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon
• RAM: 2 GB (Mac and PC)
• Hard Drive: 120 GB
• Optical Drive: CD-ROM
• Operating System: Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.6
• Video Card: OnBoard (Integrated)
• Network Card: 100 Mb Ethernet network card/adaptor
• *Wireless Card (only if using a laptop/notebook computer): 802.11 b

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
• RAM: 4 GB (Mac and PC)
• Hard Drive: 750 GB
• Optical Drive: CD/DVD burner (Mac: Super Drive)
• Operating System: Windows 7 or Mac OS X 10.8
• 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 b/g/n

Software Recommendations

• Microsoft Word 2010 (PC) or Word 2011 (Mac)
• Microsoft Excel 2010 (PC) or Word 2011 (Mac)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 (PC) or PowerPoint 2011 (Mac)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Java uninstalled or disabled (why disable Java?)
• Antivirus software (WIU provides Symantec Endpoint Protection for free to all students)
• Mathematica (optional free software for all students)