Laptop Requirements

Simon Technology Services has the following minimum requirements for the computer you will be using for your schoolwork. Please refer to the Simon Technology Services IT Handbook for further details and information about accessing coursework files, etc.

HARDWARE

PC

• Age – Manufactured within the last 4 years (newer preferred)
• Processor: i5/Ultra 5/Ryzen 5 processor (i7/Ultra 7/Ryzen 7 or better preferred)
• Memory: Minimum 16 GB RAM
• Storage: Minimum 500 GB SSD

MAC

• MacBook Air or Pro circa 2021 or newer (MacBook Pro preferred)
• Minimum M1 Processor (M2 Pro/M3 Pro preferred)
• Memory: Minimum 16 GB RAM (32 GB RAM highly recommended)
• Storage: Minimum 500 GB SSD (1TB Preferred)

Should you get a Windows or Mac computer?

Certain programs that are necessary to complete courses at Simon will not run on the MacOS (Macintosh operating system). Those programs require a Windows environment. If you intend to purchase a new laptop for your studies at Simon, we recommend that you purchase a computer that already runs Windows natively. Some students who have chosen to purchase a Mac prior to their time at Simon have later regretted the choice because they ended up using Windows more than anticipated, and Windows virtualized in a Mac never performs as well as if it were ran natively (e.g., Virtualization is less optimized meaning you will experience bugs/slowdown, and there is a learning curve for the keyboard, etc.). The virtualization software required to run Windows in MacOS is not free and is linked below under Mac Software. For these reasons, we recommend that anyone who needs to purchase a new laptop to meet the school’s minimum computing requirements selects a native Windows machine for the best user experience.

SOFTWARE

PC

• Microsoft Office365 (visit https://tech.rochester.edu/services/office-365-proplus/)
• Windows 10 or 11

MAC

• • Parallels Desktop (version compatible with your Operating System) Note: Bootcamp is not supported.
• Available at the UR Tech Store for $49.95 (http://store.it.rochester.edu).
• Microsoft Office365 (visit https://tech.rochester.edu/services/office-365-proplus/)
• Windows 10 or 11*

*Available to students through Simon Technology Services.

UR TECH STORE

If you need to purchase a computer, the UR Tech Store offers computer hardware and software, as well as an extensive line of computer accessories, audio/video equipment, video gaming products, and more. Educational discounts are available to the University community.