Computers for Online Learning

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 Duo 1.86 Ghz	Intel Core Duo 2.4 GHz	Intel Core Duo 2.4 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.93 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 3.33GHz
RAM	1 GB	2 GB	4 GB	8 GB	8 GB	8-32 GB
Hard Drive	250 GB	250 GB	320 GB	320 GB	500 GB	500 GB
Optical Drive	4x 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	N/A	N/A	N/A	Airport Extreme	N/A	Airport Extreme
Graphics	Integrated Chipset 64MB Memory	Graphics processor with 128 MB Memory	Integrated Chipset 256MB Memory	Graphics processor with 256 MB Memory	Integrated Chipset 256MB Memory	Graphics processor with 256 MB Memory
Printer	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet
Monitor	15 in Digital Flatscreen	17 in Digital Flatscreen	17 in Digital Flatscreen	19 in Digital Flatscreen	19 in Digital Flatscreen	21 in Digital Flatscreen
Operating System	Windows XP	Mac OS X 4.2	Windows Vista or 7	Mac OS X 6	Windows 7	Mac OS X 6
Microphone	Stereo or RCA connection	Built-in or Stereo or RCA connection	Stereo or RCA connection	Built-in Stereo or RCA connection	Stereo or RCA connection	Built-in Stereo or RCA connection
Webcam	Any	Check for Mac driver	Any	Built-in	Any	Built-in
Additional		Bluetooth		Bluetooth		Bluetooth

Laptops

Component	Minimum Requirements		Recommended System		Best System
Component	Windows	Mac	Windows	Mac	Windows	Mac
Processor	Intel Celeron 2.2 Ghz	Intel Core Duo 2.13 GHz	Intel Core Duo 1.4 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.86GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz	Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06GHz
RAM	2 GB	2 GB	2 GB	2-4 GB	4 GB	4-8 GB
Hard Drive	160 GB	250 GB	320 GB	320 GB	500 GB	500 GB
Optical Drive	4x 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	IEEE 802.11a/b/g	Airport Extreme 802.11a/b/g	IEEE 802.11a/b/g	Airport Extreme 802.11n	IEEE 802.11a/b/g	Airport Extreme 802.11n
Graphics	Integrated Chipset 64MB Memory	Graphics processor with 128 MB Memory	Integrated Chipset 128MB Memory	Graphics processor with with 256 MB Memory	Integrated Chipset 256MB Memory	Graphics processor with 256 MB Memory
Printer	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet	Inkjet or Laserjet
Monitor	12 in screen	13 in screen	15 in screen	15 in screen	16 in screen	17 in screen
Operating System	Windows XP	Mac OS X 4.2	Windows Vista or 7	Mac OS X 6	Windows 7	Mac OS X 6
Microphone	Stereo or RCA connection	Built-in or USB connection	Stereo or RCA connection	Built-in Stereo or RCA connection	Stereo or RCA connection	Built-in Stereo or RCA connection
Webcam	Any	Check for Mac driver	Any	Built-in	Any	Built-in
Additional		Bluetooth		Bluetooth		Bluetooth