Owens Technology Purchasing Guide
Information Technology Services (ITS), in consultation with the Owens community, is publishing recommendations for computers that could be used to work remotely. These are general recommendations and do not account for the specific computing requirements of particular departments or roles.
Students should consult with their program’s department for recommendations for using specialized software on individually owned computers.
Computers running Microsoft Windows 10 and Apple macOS are listed. Computers running Linux or Chrome OS have not been vetted and are therefore not included here.
General-Use Computer (desktop or laptop) Minimum Requirements
Good for basic-level computing, Internet browsing, email, MS Office and video conferencing.
| Feature | Windows® Minimum | macOS® Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i5 or AMD Ryzen™ 5 | Intel® Core™ i5 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage (hard drive size) | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage (hard drive type) | Solid State | Solid State |
| Display | 21-inch to 24-inch screen (desktop) 13-inch to 15-inch screen (laptop) |
21.5-inch screen (desktop) 13-inch screen (laptop) |
| Graphic Card | Intel® integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610 or above) | Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics 640 |
| Operating System | Windows® 10 Home | Mojave |
| Other things to include | Built-in wireless webcam | Built-in wireless webcam |
| Estimated Price Range | $400 – $800 | $1,100 – $1,500 |
Shopping Options
The Owens online bookstore has links to Technology Partner sites Dell and Lenovo.
Microsoft offers education discounts and Apple offers back to school savings.