Computer Recommendations for Students

The Basics

For your primary device, we highly recommend most students use a Windows or Apple laptop computer that meets the minimum or recommended specifications below. However, we don't recommend tablets or Chromebooks as your primary device due to their limitations on connecting to SMSU WIFI and other problems that comes along with it. 

For Windows Computer

Operating System

• Minimum: Windows 10 (Home)
• Recommended: Windows 11 (Pro, Education, Enterprise)

Processor

• Minimum: Intel Core i5 dual-core processor (10th Generation) or AMD Ryzen 5000 series
• Recommended: Intel Core i5 quad-core processor (13th Generation) or AMD Ryzen 7000 series or later generations

Memory

• Recommended: 16GB or more

Hard Drive

• Minimum: 256GB or larger hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD)
• Recommended: 512GB or larger SSD

For Mac Computers

Operating System

• Minimum: MacOS Monterey
• Recommended: MacOS Ventura

Processor

• Minimum: Intel Core i5 dual-core processor (10th Generation)
• Recommended: Apple M1 or M2 processor

Memory

• Recommended: 16GB or more

Hard Drive

• Minimum: 256GB or larger hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD)
• Recommended: 512GB or larger SSD