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Computer Technical Recommendations
QCC Does not require students to own a laptop or desktop computer, however most students find that it is much easier to have one. The following list is our recommended minimum configurations. Certain programs have special requirements -they are listed separately. If you are planning on purchasing a computer, consider taking this list with you.
2019-2020 Technical Recommendations (PDF)
2019-2020 Personal Computer Technical Recommendations | |||||
| Minimum and Recommended Specifications | Requirements for Specific Majors | ||||
Minimum | Recommended | Computer Science (Laptop Required) | Interactive Media | Manufacturing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating System (We do not recommend Chromebooks as they do not support JAVA, required for Blackboard) | Windows 8.1 Windows 10 MacOSX 10.9 or higher | Win 10 Pro/Education Mac OSX 10.9 or higher | Win 8.1 Pro/Education Win 10 Pro/Education | Win 8.1 Pro/Edu 64-bit Win 10 Pro/Edu 64-bit Mac OSX 10.9 or higher | Win 8.1 Pro/Edu 64-bit Win 10 Pro/Edu 64-bit |
CPU | Quad-core Atom Dual Core Celeron AMD 1.3 GHz E-300 | Intel I-5 AMD | Intel I-5 Quad Core AMD | Quad Core Intel or | Quad Core Intel or AMD processor with 64-bit Support or higher |
RAM | 4GB RAM (8GB highly recommended) | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 6GB RAM (12-16GB highly recommended) | 8GB RAM or higher (12-16GB highly recommended) |
Hard Drive | 32GB eMMc or more | 500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive or 128GB SSD (256GB SSD Highly recommended) | 500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive or 128GB SSD (256GB SSD Highly recommended) | 500GB (1Tb highly recommended) 7200rpm, SSD Recommended | 500GB 7200 rpm or 256GB SSD or greater |
Graphics (GPU) | Integrated Graphics | Minimum VRAM 2GB | Solidworks certified Video Card (http://www.solidworks | ||
CD/DVD Drive | Not required. | 24x DVD-RW/DVD, | Not required, but useful. | DVD-ROM, External OK | |
Ports | 1 USB | 3 USB (at least 1 USB 3.0) | |||
Network | Wireless (802.11 g/n | Wireless (802.11 g/n or 802.11 ac) | Wireless (802.11 g/n or | Wireless (802.11 g/n | |
| Browsers | Chrome, Firefox, or Edge | Chrome, Firefox, IE 10, IE 11, or Edge | |||
Additional Software Office 365 Education is available to students for free through QCC | Office 365 | Office 365 or Office 2019 (including MS Access for CIS students) | Office 365, Office 2019, Open Office, Acrobat Reader, Quicktime, JDK, Netbeans | Office 365 or Office 2019 | |
| All computers that connect to the QCC Wireless network must have up-to-date antivirus protection. We also recommend a product such as Lojack for PCs. | |||||
QCC policy states that we do not offer technical support for student or faculty owned technical devices.
We recommend that at the time of purchase you understand your warranties and how you can receive technical assistance.