The following configuration is recommended for students who intend to keep a computer for four years without a major upgrade:
Desktop Computer | Laptop Computer | |
---|---|---|
Monitor | 24 inch LCD, 1080p | Personal Preference |
Operating System | Windows 10, 64-bit, Home or higher, fully updated with firewall enabled | Windows 10, 64-bit, Home or higher, fully updated with firewall enabled |
Processor/CPU | Eighth Generation Intel i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Current generation Intel Core i5 mobile processor or AMD Ryzen 5 APU |
Graphics/GPU | AMD Radeon R7 570 or Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti or higher | Integrated graphics |
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Hard Drive | 256 GB solid state drive (SSD) with internal/external 1TB Storage Hard Drive | 256 GB solid state drive (SSD) with 1TB External Storage Hard Drive |
Networking Hardware | 802.11ac wireless adapter | 802.11ac wireless adapter |
Software | Office 365 (Free - Login with your PCHS credentials @ http://portal.office.com/) | Office 365 (Free - Login with your PCHS credentials @ http://portal.office.com/) |
*A solid state drive is a storage drive that does not use "traditional" hard drive technology of recording data on magnetic disks, meaning it has no moving parts. This makes them more reliable, faster, and less prone to data loss from dropping / carrying a laptop around. The downside is solid state technology is still more expensive than "traditional" hard drive technology, and space is still a limiting factor. If a solid state drive is purchased, we recommend also purchasing an external hard drive for data storage.
Below are the minimum required specifications for any Windows computer to be used on the network. It is not recommended to use a computer on campus that does not meet these specifications. Computers that do not meet these minimum requirements will receive limited support.
The following configuration is recommended for students who intend to keep a computer for four years without a major upgrade:
Desktop Computer | Laptop Computer | |
---|---|---|
Computer | 21.5" iMac with Intel Core i5 processor | MacBook Pro 13", 15" (Personal preference) |
Operating System | macOS (latest version), fully updated with firewall enabled | macOS (latest version), fully updated with firewall enabled |
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Hard Drive | 1TB Fusion Drive with 1+ TB External Time Machine Backup Drive | 256 GB SSD with 1+ TB External Time Machine Backup Drive |
Networking Hardware | 802.11ac wireless adapter | 802.11ac wireless adapter |
Software | Office 365 (Free - Login with your PCHS credentials @ http://portal.office.com/) | Office 365 (Free - Login with your PCHS credentials @ http://portal.office.com/) |
Current Mac offerings do not feature user-replaceable / upgradeable memory. If you purchase a Mac, you will not be able to upgrade or replace your memory after your purchase. PCHS recommends maximizing your memory configuration prior to purchase.
Below are the minimum required specifications for any Mac computer to be used on the network. It is not recommended to use a computer on campus that does not meet these specifications. Computers that do not meet these minimum requirements will receive limited support and may be blocked from the network.
If you encountered any problems during this process, contact our tech support team for assistance. You can reach them by Clicking Here