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Recommended Specifications for Computer Purchases

The following is our recommended minimum specifications for any computer that a student might use during their time at Benedictine University.

If you are thinking about buying a new computer, please keep the following in mind. If you already own a computer, we strongly urge you to check it and ensure it meets these recommendations. 

And, if you decide you want to purchase a new computer, we have worked with our vendors to provide a discount for our students (including software). Information on purchasing discounts can be found here.

Note for students in the College of Business and College of Science: We strongly recommend purchasing a Windows computer as several courses in these colleges use software that only has a Windows version. While we do have an Apple computer lab with the requisite software for students to use, there is a limited number of computers and an available computer cannot be guaranteed.

 

Windows

Desktop Computer

  • i5 processor (i7 recommended)
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 500 GB SSD
  • 24" monitor
  • Dedicated graphics with minimum 8GB VRAM (recommended for students in Graphic Arts or Science programs)

Laptop

  • i5 processor (i7 recommended)
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 500 GB SSD

Apple

Desktop Computer

  • M1 or M2 processor
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 500 GB SSD

Laptop

  • M1 MacBook
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 500 GB SSD

Chromebook

The IT Department recommends against using Chromebooks if possible. Although Chromebooks can be set to connect to the school's WiFi, we've encountered issues where Chromebooks drop the connection and have to be reset. Additionally, some courses may require specific software to be installed on the student's computer and Chromebooks do not support this. 

However, since Chromebooks are a budget-friendly option, if you do choose to purchase  one, here are the recommended specifications:

  • 4GB RAM
  • 128GB SSD
  • Intel Celeron N4020 processor

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