Student Laptop Recommendations

Students are recommended to have a laptop that meets the needs of their program of study.

Some programs (e.g. Science and Engineering, Multi-Media, Music, Graphic Design) are computationally intensive and may require more advanced configurations or Mac computers to support specific software.

The recommendations should serve as a guide to students for selecting a laptop based upon the needs of their academic program.

  • Nursing, Business, Education and Human Development, Liberal Arts (Except Graphic Design, Music, Multimedia Degrees) should use the Minimum to Recommended specifications for either Windows PC or Apple devices.
  • Science and Engineering, Liberal Arts (Multimedia, Music, Graphic Design) should use the Recommended to Advanced specifications for either Windows PC or Apple devices.
Windows PC Laptop Recommendations
Component Minimum Recommended Advanced
Operating System Windows 10 Windows 10 Windows 10
Processor Any current Intel or AMD i5 or comparable processor i7 or comparable processor
Memory 8 GB 16 GB 16 GB
Hard Drive 256 GB SSD 256 GB SSD 512 GB
Video Card Built in Graphics Dedicated Video Memory 4 GB Dedicated Video Memory
Other Components 1 USB Port
Wireless: 802.11 a/g/n/ac
Webcam
Headset with microphone
1 USB Port
Wireless: 802.11 a/g/n/ac
Webcam
Headset with microphone
1 USB Port
Wireless: 802.11 a/g/n/ac
Webcam
Headset with microphone
Apple Laptop Recommendations *
Component Minimum Recommended
Model Mac (Mac Book Pro 13") Mac (Mac Book Pro 16")
Processor i5 i7
Memory 16 GB 16 GB
Hard Drive SSD 512 GB SSD 512 GB
Video Card Iris Video Card Iris Video Card
Other Components 1 USB Port
Wireless: 802.11 a/g/n/ac
Webcam
Headset with microphone
1 USB Port
Wireless: 802.11 a/g/n/ac
Webcam
Headset with microphone

* Note: Apple devices should only be purchased for curriculum requiring Apple specific software. Programs that may use a Apple include: BA Graphic Design; BA Art; MFA Studio Art.

Vendor Discounts

TAMU-CC student discounts available from Dell and Apple.