Overview
This article is for students at Minnesota State University, Mankato and provides recommendations for computers that will provide the best experience with university tools and software.
Minnesota State Mankato does not require students to have a personal laptop or desktop computer for enrollment. However, many students choose to bring their own devices for convenience. If you plan to do so, we provide the following general hardware recommendations and some major-specific guidance to support compatibility with university technology and software.
Table of Contents
Jump to specific sections using the links below.
Device Applicability
This article applies to personal devices (equipment owned and maintained by individual users).
Before Purchasing a Device
- The hardware recommendations in this article meet the needs of most students.
- Students should review their specific academic program’s requirements, or reach out to their academic department with questions.
Recommended Hardware Specifications
The list below outlines both Recommended and Minimum specifications. Meeting the recommended specifications will provide the best experience when using university-provided technology such as Office 365, D2L Brightspace, and other academic software. Some programs may require specialized software, which could necessitate more powerful hardware than listed here.
Computer Type
- Recommended: Windows or Mac laptop/desktop
- Minimum: Windows or Mac laptop/desktop
Operating System
- Recommended: Windows 11 or macOS 13 Ventura*
- Minimum: Windows 11 or macOS 12 Monterey*
- For additional information regarding Apple device support, visit Apple Support.
Processor
- Recommended: Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent
- Minimum: Intel Core i3 or AMD equivalent
Memory (RAM)
- Recommended: 8GB or larger
- Minimum: 4GB or larger
Storage
- Recommended: 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD) or larger
- Minimum: 256GB or higher
Wireless Network Card
- Recommended: 802.11n, ac, ax (WiFi-6)
- Minimum: 802.11n, ac, ax (WiFi-6)
Wi-Fi Compatibility
- Recommended: Must support 802.1x, AES, and WPA2-Enterprise (Compatible Wi-Fi adapters are available at the Campus Computer Store.)
- Minimum: Must support 802.1x, AES, and WPA2-Enterprise (Compatible Wi-Fi adapters are available at the Campus Computer Store.)
Audio/Video
- Recommended: Web camera, speakers (or headphones), and microphone
- Minimum: Web camera, speakers (or headphones), and microphone
Devices Not Recommended
Minnesota State Mankato does not recommend relying on the following devices as a primary computer due to software limitations:
- Tablet devices (e.g., iPads)
- Mobile phones
- Netbooks and Chromebooks
While these devices may work for certain tasks, they are not fully compatible with all university software. The university continues to test these types of devices in the classroom environment and can provide basic troubleshooting support, but performance may be limited.
Guidance by Major
The recommendations below provide general guidance by college. While these recommendations are a helpful place to start, students should review their academic program's requirements and consult their academic department with any questions.
College of Business
- Either Windows or Mac computers generally work well for most programs. Some majors may prefer Windows.
- Students commonly use spreadsheet, data analysis, presentation, and business software throughout their coursework.
- Students who spend significant time working with large spreadsheets or multiple applications at once may find a larger display or external monitor beneficial.
College of Education
- Either Windows or Mac computers generally work well for most programs. Some majors may prefer Mac.
- Aviation students are required to have an iPad Mini with at least 64 GB of storage for electronic flight charts.
- Students often use productivity, collaboration, and content creation tools throughout their coursework and field experiences.
College of Allied Health & Nursing
- Either Windows or Mac computers generally work well for most programs.
- Students frequently move between classrooms, labs, and clinical settings, making portability an important consideration when selecting a laptop.
College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET)
- Many engineering, technology, computer science, and data-focused programs use specialized software. Some applications may only be available on specific operating systems. Windows computers generally provide the broadest compatibility with engineering and technical applications.
- Students who expect to run resource-intensive technical software or large files may benefit from additional memory, storage, or graphics capabilities.
- Larger displays or external monitors can be helpful when working with detailed drawings, models, and technical applications.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Either Windows or Mac computers generally work well for most programs.
- Many art, design, film, media, and music-related disciplines use specialized creative software. Some applications may only be available on specific operating systems. Students in these disciplines may find that certain software may be more commonly used on Mac computers.
- Students who expect to run resource-intensive creative software or large files may benefit from additional memory, storage, or graphics capabilities.
- Larger displays or external monitors can be helpful when working with graphic design, video editing, audio production, and other creative projects.
FAQ
Am I required to have my own computer?
Minnesota State Mankato does not require students to have a personal laptop or desktop computer for enrollment. However, many students choose to bring their own devices for convenience.
Should I get a Mac or Windows computer?
Whether you choose a Mac or Windows depends on your academic program, the type of software you need, and your personal preferences. The recommendations above may help you decide what’s best for you.
Can I use a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are not recommended due to software limitations. While these devices may work for certain tasks, they are not fully compatible with all university software.
Still Need Help?
For technology help, visit the IT Solutions Center page to view current hours, locations, and contact information. For questions about your academic program's requirements, reach out to your academic department.