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University Computer Specifications

We think you'll be happiest adhering to the New Computer standards (highlighted), but any computer that meets or exceeds the specifications listed below should be sufficient.

All Illinois State students are expected to own a computer that meets the University's minimum hardware and software standards, which are updated annually and published here. Read the Policy on Student Computer Ownership

Software Requirements: Microsoft Office is the standard productivity suite for campus. As a benefit of campus-wide Microsoft licensing, a subscription to Microsoft Office 365 is available to all students at no extra charge. 

Only University-approved anti-virus software should be installed on computers. More information will be provided once you arrive on campus. 

TechZone does not recommend primary computing devices with the Android, Chrome OS, iOS, Windows RT, or Windows 10 S operating systems.

Some majors have additional technology requirements. Lucky for you, we made a list.

Check your major

Standards for Laptops

View side-by-side* →

Already Owned

CPU
  • Intel Celeron
  • Intel Pentium
  • Intel Core
  • AMD Athlon
  • AMD Phenom
  • AMD Sempron
  • AMD Turion
RAM
  • 2 GB
Hard Drive
  • 80 GB HDD
Wireless Card 802.11g
Operating System
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 10
  • Mac OS X El Capitan
  • Mac OS Sierra
  • Mac OS High Sierra
  • Mac OS Mojave
Video Card Integrated

New Computer

CPU
  • Intel Core m3
  • Intel Core m5
  • Intel Core m7
  • Intel Core i3
  • Intel Core i5
  • AMD A6
  • AMD A8
  • AMD A9
  • AMD A10
  • AMD Ryzen 3
  • AMD Ryzen 5
RAM
  • 4 GB
Hard Drive
  • 128 GB SSD / eMMC
  • 500 GB HDD
Wireless Card 802.11 g/n*/ac

*Dual-band wireless cards (those that support 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless) are recommended. Students in the Residence Halls should also consider an Ethernet adapter.
Operating System
  • Windows 10
  • Mac OS Mojave
Video Card Integrated

New Advanced

CPU
  • Intel Core i5
  • Intel Core i7
  • Intel Core i9
  • AMD A12
  • AMD FX
  • AMD Ryzen 7
RAM
  • 8+ GB
Hard Drive
  • 256+ GB SSD
  • 1+ TB 7200 RPM HDD
Wireless Card 802.11 g/n*/ac

*Dual-band wireless cards (those that support 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless) are recommended. Students in the Residence Halls should also consider an Ethernet adapter.
Operating System
  • Windows 10
  • Mac OS Mojave
Video Card
  • AMD (Dedicated or discrete)
  • nVidia (Dedicated or discrete)

 

*Side-by-side comparison is not optimized for mobile browsers

Standards for Desktops

View side-by-side* →

Already Owned

CPU
  • Intel Celeron
  • Intel Pentium
  • Intel Core
  • AMD Athlon
  • AMD Phenom
  • AMD Sempron
RAM
  • 2 GB
Hard Drive
  • 80 GB HDD
Display Size 19"
Operating System
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 10
  • Mac OS X El Capitan
  • Mac OS Sierra
  • Mac OS High Sierra
  • Mac OS Mojave
Video Card Integrated

New Computer

CPU
  • Intel Core i3
  • Intel Core i5
  • AMD A6
  • AMD A8
  • AMD A10
  • AMD Ryzen 3
  • AMD Ryzen 5
RAM
  • 4 GB
Hard Drive
  • 128 GB SSD
  • 500 GB HDD
Display Size 20"
Operating System
  • Windows 10
  • Mac OS Mojave
Video Card Integrated

New Advanced

CPU
  • Intel Core i5
  • Intel Core i7
  • Intel Core i9
  • AMD A12
  • AMD FX
  • AMD Ryzen 7
RAM
  • 8+ GB
Hard Drive
  • 256+ GB SSD
  • 1+ TB 7200 RPM HDD
Display Size 24"+
Operating System
  • Windows 10
  • Mac OS Mojave
Video Card
  • AMD (Dedicated or discrete)
  • nVidia (Dedicated or discrete)

*Side-by-side comparison is not optimized for mobile browsers

2019-04-10T10:35:38.318-05:00 2019