The following are minimum laptop recommendations as of Fall 2018 for Computer Science and Computing and Information Systems students.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor: | Intel core i5 or equivalent (2.5 GHz or faster), i7 or equivalent is recommended for upper-level courses |
| Memory: | 16 GB minimum |
| Hard Drive: | 1 TB minimum |
| Graphics: | Discrete graphics processor (NVidia or Radeon) |
| Ethernet: | Wireless 802.11(ac or n) |
| Monitor: | 13-15" display and an external connection (HDMI or DisplayPort/Thunderbolt, with adapters for HDMI) for displaying on projectors and external monitors |
| Operating Systems: | Microsoft Windows 10 or MacOS High Sierra*. Some students in upper-level courses do use Lunix as a primary OS or in a multi-boot OS environment |
*Use of MacOS may require Bootcamp to run some software that requires MS Windows.
There are optional peripherals that will be of use to you such as a USB thumb drive, optical R/W (DVD) drive, external hard drive (for backups, etc.), an extra power adapter, a printer and a large external monitor.
When selecting a laptop, we believe you should also consider weight, battery life, and keyboard comfort as factors in making your decision.
If possible, at least a three-year warranty, purchased from the manufacturer, is recommended.
⚠Chromebooks and tablets (e.g., IPads, or Android tablets are NOT a viable option for your primary device!
