Student Personal Computers - Suggested Specifications

Owned by Stephen Ashby
Last updated: Nov 08, 2023 by Tammy Voigt

This guide is intended for incoming students and parents to help make informed decisions on purchasing or bringing a computer for use on campus and in the residence halls.

General information about computing devices

Most current personal computers will connect to the SU Network wirelessly, or through the network port in your residence hall room using an Ethernet cable. Your computer should have one of the following as a minimum system configuration. Windows based computers must be running Windows 10 or 11, updated Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software. Macintosh computers should be running at least MacOS version 12 (Monterey) or 13 (Ventura) and have an updated Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software.  

Note that devices like Chromebooks, iPads, Galaxy tablets, or devices with Windows 10S only allow installation from an app store rather than from outside sources. For these devices, many applications will not be able to be installed. Please keep this consideration in mind when shopping for a new device and how you intend to use the device.  SU IT does not recommend these devices be purchased to be the primary device for a student for course work.

Windows Laptops/PC  (cost generally $600 and up)

  • Intel Core i5 equivalent or better
  • 8 GB RAM minimum with 16 recommended
  • 256 GB or larger hard drive, 500 GB recommended (solid state drive also recommended) 
  • Windows 10/11
  • 1 GB ethernet Adapter and/or Wifi 6 (802.11ax) wireless
  • Onboard camera or webcam
  • Onboard sound with mic and speakers
  • Optional but recommended: Surge protector, CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive, 22” or larger display
  • headset with microphone

Apple Macbook/iMac (cost generally $900 and up)

  • M1 8 core CPU /7 core GPU equivalent or better
  • 8 GB RAM minimum with 16 recommended
  • 256 GB or larger hard drive, 500 GB recommended (solid state drive also recommended) 
  • Apple OSX 12 or higher
  • 1 GB ethernet Adapter and/or Wifi 6 (802.11ax) wireless
  • Onboard camera or webcam
  • Onboard sound with mic and speakers
  • Optional but recommended: Surge protector, CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive, 22” or larger display
  • headset with microphone


Important!

**NOTE:  Students in the following programs should consider a higher end Windows laptop (See advanced specifications recommended for these majors below)

  • Accounting
  • Management & Marketing
  • Economics & Finance
  • Information & Decision Sciences
  • Mathematics & Computer Science
  • Geography & Geosciences
  • Psychology

Windows Laptops/PC-Advanced  (cost generally $1200 and up)

  • Intel Core i7 equivalent or better
  • 16 GB RAM 
  • 512 GB or larger hard drive (solid state drive also recommended) 
  • Windows 10/11
  • 1 GB ethernet Adapter and/or Wifi 6 (802.11ax) wireless
  • Onboard camera or webcam
  • Onboard sound with mic and speakers
  • Optional but recommended: Surge protector, CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive, 22” or larger display
  • headset with microphone

Apple Macbook/iMac-Advanced (cost generally $2100 and up)

  • M1 10 core CPU /16 core GPU equivalent or better
  • 16 GB RAM 
  • 512 GB or larger hard drive (solid state drive also recommended) 
  • Apple OSX 12 or higher
  • 1 GB ethernet Adapter and/or Wifi 6 (802.11ax) wireless
  • Onboard camera or webcam
  • Onboard sound with mic and speakers
  • Optional but recommended: Surge protector, CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive, 22” or larger display
  • headset with microphone

Tablets

Tablet computers such as the iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Amazon Fire HD, and Windows Surface can make a great complement to your laptop or desktop computer, due to their small, lightweight profile and portability. Most all of them connect easily to our SU wireless network. With the exception of the Windows Surface Pro, which runs a full version of Windows, we do not recommend using a tablet for your only computing solution. For the Windows Surface Pro, we also recommend a USB Ethernet Adapter (http://www.apple.com/search/ethernet-adapter)

What Not To Bring

Not all "network" devices are compatible with our network. Specifically, the following items are known not to work.

  • Routers, Switches and Wireless Access Points. Routers, switches and wireless access points are not permitted on the ResNet network. Plugging one in may result in your network port being deactivated.
  • Wireless Printers. Wireless printers will not be able to connect wirelessly on our network. These are meant to be shared on private networks, and cannot be set up on the SU wired or wireless network. You can connect your wireless printer directly to your computer using a USB cable (usually provided with the printer).
  • Wireless or Network Storage Devices. Like wireless printers, these devices are intended for small, private home networks. Also like wireless printers, these devices usually have cables that can be used to directly attach them to your computer for use in Residence Halls.
  • Devices that connect to your computer wirelessly. Some devices, like Google Chromecast, require a computer to wirelessly connect in order to function. These devices will not work on our wireless network. Other devices, like Apple TV, have both stand alone and connected features. These will work, but the features that require wireless connection to other devices will not. 

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