System Recommendations

The following recommendations give minimum requirements, recommended, and advanced criteria for a computer for use in classes at Thomas University. Recommendations are given for both Windows and Mac computers and for both laptops and desktops.

The minimum requirements represent the oldest and least powerful computer a student could use to access Blackboard and Elluminate which are required for all online and hybrid courses as well as for some face-to-face courses. As new technology is developed, the minimum requirements could change. A system meeting the minimum requirements may not be viable for much longer than one year.
The recommended system represents the least powerful system, and possibly the least expensive, that a student could purchase new. A system meeting the recommended requirements should be viable for 3-4 years.
The best system represents an additional investment to upgrade hardware components such as video, memory, processing speed, and storage. A best system should be viable for 5 years or more.

As always, check with your professors and your advisor before purchasing a computer as there may be additional requirements for some classes.

Desktops

Component	Minimum Requirements		Recommended System		Best System
Component	Windows	Mac	Windows	Mac	Windows	Mac
Processor	Intel Core i3 2nd Gen or Pentium Dual Core or AMD Next Gen or AMD Dual Core or AMD Quad Core	Intel Core 2 Duo Processor iMac (Earlier Models)	Intel Core i3/i5 - 2nd/3rd Gen (3rd Gen Processors have improved Integrated Intel HD Graphics)	Intel Core i5 quad-core iMac	Intel Core i7 3rd Gen (3rd Gen Processors have improved Integrated Intel HD Graphics)	Intel Core i5 quad-core iMac or Intel quad-core Xeon Mac Pro
RAM (More memory (RAM) increases performance and enables your computer to perform faster and better. )	2-4 GB (4 GB will make a noticeable difference in performance)	2-4 GB (4 GB will make a noticeable difference in performance)	4-8 GB	4-8 GB	8-16 GB	8-32 GB
Hard Drive	250 GB	250 GB	320 GB	500 GB	500 GB - 1TB	500 GB - 1 TB
Optical Drive	16x CD-RW/DVD +RW	Superdrive	16x CD-RW/DVD +RW	Superdrive	16x CD-RW/DVD +RW	Superdrive
Network	10/100 Base-T	10/100 Base-T	10/100 Base-T	10/100/1000 Base-T (Gigabit)	10/100/1000 Base-T (Gigabit)	10/100/1000 Base-T (Gigabit)
Wireless	802.11n Wi-Fi (All-in-one models)	802.11n Wi-Fi	802.11n Wi-Fi (All-in-one models)	802.11n Wi-Fi	802.11n Wi-Fi (All-in-one models)	802.11n Wi-Fi
Graphics	Integrated Video or Intel HD Graphics or Graphics Card with 256 MB Memory	Graphics processor with 256 MB Memory	Integrated Video or Intel HD Graphics or Graphics Card with 512 MB Memory	Graphics processor with 256 MB Memory	Integrated Video or Intel HD Graphics or Graphics Card with 512 MB - 1 GB Memory	Graphics processor with 512 MB - 1 GB Memory
Printer	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet
Monitor	17 in LCD Flatscreen	17 in Flatscreen	17-19 > in LCD/LED Flatscreen	21.5 in Flatscreen	19-24 > in LCD/LED Flatscreen	21.5 - 27 in Flatscreen
Operating System	Windows 7 (XP is longer supported by Microsoft)	Mac OS 10.5.6 >	Windows 7 or 8	Mac OS 10.6.x >	Windows 7 or 8	Mac OS 10.6.x >
Microphone / Headphones	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB
Webcam	Any	Built-in	Logitech or Microsoft HD 720p or (Built-in All-in-one Models)	Built-in	Logitech or Microsoft HD 1080p or (Built-in All-in-one Models)	Built-in
Additional / Optional	Bluetooth / SD Card	Bluetooth / SD Card	Bluetooth / SD Card	Bluetooth / SD Card	Bluetooth /SD Card	Bluetooth / SD Card

Laptops

Component	Minimum Requirements		Recommended System		Best System
Component	Windows	Mac	Windows	Mac	Windows	Mac
Processor	Intel Core i3 2nd Gen or or Pentium Dual Core or AMD Next Gen or AMD Dual Core or AMD Quad Core	Intel Core Duo 2.5 Ghz	Intel Core i3/i5 - 2nd/3rd Gen (3rd Gen Processors have improved Integrated Intel HD Graphics)	Intel Core i5	Intel Core i7 3rd Gen (3rd Gen Processors have improved Integrated Intel HD Graphics)	Intel Core i5
RAM RAM (More memory (RAM) increases performance and enables your computer to perform faster and better. )	2-4 GB (4 GB will make a noticeable difference in performance)	2-4 GB (4 GB will make a noticeable difference in performance)	4 GB	4 GB	8 GB	8 GB
Hard Drive	160 GB	250 GB	320 GB	320 GB	500 GB	500 GB
Optical Drive	8x CD-RW/DVD +RW	Superdrive	8x CD-RW/DVD +RW	Superdrive	8x CD-RW/DVD +RW	Superdrive
Network	10/100 Base-T	10/100 Base-T	10/100 Base-T	10/100/1000 Base-T (Gigabit)	10/100/1000 Base-T (Gigabit)	10/100/1000 Base-T (Gigabit)
Wireless	802.11n Wi-Fi	802.11n Wi-Fi	802.11n Wi-Fi	802.11n Wi-Fi	802.11n Wi-Fi	802.11n Wi-Fi
Graphics	Integrated Video or Intel HD Graphics or Graphics Card with 256 MB Memory	Graphics processor with 256 MB Memory	Integrated Video or Intel HD Graphics or Graphics Card with 512 MB Memory	Integrated Video or Intel HD Graphics or Graphics Card with 512 MB Memory	Integrated Video or Intel HD Graphics or Graphics Card with 512 MB - 1 GB Memory	Integrated Video or Intel HD Graphics or Graphics Card with 512 MB - 1 GB Memory
Printer	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet
Monitor	11-14 in screen	13 in screen	13-17 in screen	15 in screen	14 - 17 in screen	15-17 in screen
Operating System	Windows 7 (XP is longer supported by Microsoft)	Mac OS 10.5.6	Windows 7 or 8	Mac OS 10.6.x >	Windows 7 or 8	Mac OS 10.6.x >
Microphone / Headphones	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB	Built-in Stereo or USB	BuBuilt-in Stereo or USB
Webcam	Built-in or Any	Built-in	Built-in or Logitech or Microsoft HD 720p	Built-in	Built-in or Logitech or Microsoft HD 1080p	Built-in
Additional / Optional	Bluetooth / SD Card	Bluetooth	Bluetooth / SD Card	Bluetooth / SD Card	Bluetooth / SD Card	Bluetooth / SD Card