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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 seperately. If you are planning on purchasing a computer, consider taking this list with you.
2017-2018 Technical Recommendations (PDF)
2017-2018 Personal Computer Technical Recommendations | |||||
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 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, MacOSX 10.9 or higher | Win 7 Pro/Education, Win 8.1 Pro/Education, Win 10 Pro/Education, Mac OSX 10.9 or higher | Win 7 Pro/Education, Win 8.1 Pro/Education, Win 10 Pro/Education | Win 7 Pro/Edu 64 bit, Win 8.1 Pro/Edu 64 bit, Win 10 Pro/Edu 64 bit, Mac OSX 10.9 or higher | Win 7 Pro/Edu 64 bit, Win 8.1 Pro/Edu 64 bit, Win 10 Pro/Edu 64 bit |
CPU | Quad-core AtomDual-core Celeron AMD 1.3 GHz E-300 Intel I-3or higher | Intel I-5 AMD Dual-core or higher | Intel I-5 Quad Core AMD Quad Core or higher | Quad Core Intel or AMD processor with 64-bit Support or higher | Quad Core Intel or AMD processor with 64-bit Support or higher |
RAM | 2GB RAM (4GB highly recommended) | 4GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 6GB RAM (12-16GB highly recommended) | 16GB RAM or higher |
Hard Drive | 32GB eMMc or more | 500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive or 128GB SSD (256GB SSD Highly Recommended)or greater | 500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive or 128GB SSD (256GB SSD Highly Recommended)or greater | 500GB (1TB highly recommended) 7200rpm, SSD Recommended | 500GB 7200 rpm or 256GB SSD or greater |
Graphics (GPU) | Integrated Graphics | Minimum VRAM 2GB | |||
CD/DVD Drive | Not required, but useful. | 24x DVD-RW/DVD, External drive OK | Not required, but useful. | DVD-ROM, External OK | |
Ports | 1 USB | 3 USB (at least 1 USB 3.0) | |||
Network | Wireless (802.11 a/b/g/n or 802.11 ac) | Wireless (802.11 a/b/g/n or 802.11 ac) | Wireless (802.11 a/b/g/n or 802.11 ac), Wired LAN | Wireless (802.11 a/b/g/n or 802.11 ac) | |
| Browsers | 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 2016 (including MS Access for CIS students) | Office 365, Office 2013, Open Office, Acrobat Reader, Quicktime, JDK, Netbeans | Office 365 or Office 2013 | |
| 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.