Laptop Recommendations
Student Computer Guidelines
For specific recommendations for the various academic divisions and departments, view the academic computer recommendations. Our top five guidelines for your purchase:
- Purchase the best computer your budget affords
The demands on the computer tend to accelerate as you approach the end of your degree program and if you purchase a new computer today, consider that you are really purchasing the capabilities for four years from now. - Purchase an Apple or Dell
Our ability to provide service and support greatly diminishes if you purchase another brand of computer like Lenovo, Chromebooks, or other manufacturers. - Purchase a commercial-grade device
College life is hard on a laptop, so make sure you have a model with durability to withstand the pressures of the typical campus experience. For Apple, we recommend the MacBook Pro line of laptops. For Dell, we recommend the Latitude or Precision line of laptops. - Include a 3 or 4-year warranty
Out-of-warranty repairs often run around half of the purchase price of a new equivalent laptop and repair times are significantly longer. - Include accidental damage coverage
Things happen. Liquid and technology are still mortal enemies. Make sure your laptop is protected from drops and spills.
Minimum Computer Specifications
The specs provided below are recommended minimum guidelines from the various university divisions and departments. We recommend purchasing a laptop that meets or exceeds these specifications. If you have any questions regarding what technology is recommended by an individual department, please reach out to that department directly, or contact your academic advisor.
Students struggling to purchase a computer that meets the minimum requirements can request a consultation to review their particular needs.
College of Arts and Science
Biology (BIO) - Bioinformatics
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i5 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 100GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Geography (GEO) - required to run GIS
Platform: Windows 11 or later
Processor: i5 (or greater)
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Professional Writing
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i7 (or greater)
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
All other majors
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i5 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (or greater)
Storage: 256GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
College of Creative Arts
Games and Simulation Program
Platform: Windows 11 or later
Processor: i7 (or greater)
GPU (graphics): discrete GPU, Nvidia RTX 3060 or AMD RX 7600
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 1TB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) GPU 2) storage 3) RAM/processor
Emerging Technology in Business and Design
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i7 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Communications Design
Platform: macOS 14 Sonoma preferred (also Windows 11) or later
Processor: M3 or i7 (or greater)
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 1TB (or greater)
Screen size: 14" (16" recommended)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Architecture and Interior Design
Platform: Windows 11 or later
Processor: i7 (or greater)
GPU (graphics): discrete GPU, Nvidia RTX 4060
RAM: 32GB (or greater)
Storage: 1TB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
All other majors
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i5 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (or greater)
Storage: 256GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
College of Education, Health, and Society
ART Education
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i7 (or greater)
GPU (graphics): discrete GPU, Nvidia RTX 4060
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
All other majors
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i5 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
College of Engineering and Computing
Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE)
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i7 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (16GB preferred) (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
All other majors
Platform: Windows 11 or later
Processor: i7 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (16GB preferred) (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Farmer School of Business
All majors
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i5 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 16GB (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science
Computer and Information Technology (CIT)
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i7 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (16GB preferred) (or greater)
Storage: 512GB (1TB preferred) (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Interdisciplinary Studies (ICS)
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i7 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (or greater)
Storage: 256GB (or greater)
Webcam: Required
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Nursing (NSG)
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i5 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (or greater)
Storage: 256GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
All other majors
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i5 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (or greater)
Storage: 256GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Laptop FAQs
Is an iPad, Chromebook, or similar device an appropriate substitute for a laptop?
No. Although one of these platforms could get you by over the short term, there is software that is needed for certain classes and programs that will not run on a tablet-type device.
Is there a set of universal, minimum specs?
Platform: Windows 11 or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
Processor: i5 or M3 (or greater)
RAM: 8GB (or greater)
Storage: 256GB (or greater)
Specs Prioritization: 1) RAM 2) processor 3) storage
Does the Graduate School make any recommendations?
There are no general specifications for the Graduate School. Please refer to the divisional specs listed above.