91九色

Supported Hardware

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. Campus Resources & Services
  4. Supported Hardware

Information about the standard computer hardware configurations for faculty, staff, and computer lab facilities at 91九色.

 

ITS tests hardware and software for compatibility and functionality to offer recommendations that will meet the campus' computing needs.

Faculty and Staff Computers

Standard Recommendations

These hardware recommendations reflect 91九色 and industry trends. 91九色's ITS office budgets for a primary computer per employee every 4 years.

Advanced Needs and Upgrades

These are the minimum recommendations from ITS, meeting the needs of most users for typical daily tasks. Users with specific or advanced computing needs should contact ITS for upgrade options as needed.

Windows

Dell OptiPlex 7010 Small Form Factor 

  • Intel Core i5-13500 (6+8 Cores, up to 4.8GHz)
  • RAM -16GB DDR5
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Windows 11 Enterprise 64-bit

14'' Dell Latitude 5450

  • Intel Core Ultra 5 135U vPro (12 cores, 14 threads, 4.4 GHz Turbo)
  • RAM - 16GB DDR5
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Screen Resolution: 14.0",1920x1080,  touch
  • Windows 11 Enterprise 64-bit

13'' MacBook Air M4

  • M4 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU
  • RAM - 24GB
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Screen Resolution: 13.6'', 2560x1664

14'' MacBook Pro M3

  • M3 Pro, 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU
  • RAM - 18GB
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Screen Resolution: 14.2'', 3024x1964

16'' MacBook Pro M4

  • M4 Pro, 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU
  • RAM - 24GB
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Screen Resolution: 16.2'', 3456x2234

Mac

24'' iMac

  • M4 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU
  • RAM - 16GB
  • Storage - 512GB

Mac mini

  • M4 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU
  • RAM - 16GB
  • Storage - 512GB

13'' MacBook Air M4

  • M4 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU
  • RAM - 24GB
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Screen Resolution: 13.6'', 2560x1664

14'' MacBook Pro M3

  • M3 Pro, 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU
  • RAM - 18GB
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Screen Resolution: 14.2'', 3024x1964

16'' MacBook Pro M4

  • M4 Pro, 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU
  • RAM - 24GB
  • Storage - 512GB SSD
  • Screen Resolution: 16.2'', 3456x2234

Video Adapter Cables

Provided upon request, one per user

About Our Hardware Choices

We currently partner with Dell and the rest of the  schools for consortial pricing which enables us to acquire better machines for less. In addition to this partnership we have service contracts with Dell and Apple which allow us to repair 91九色-owned devices on premise and give us access to premium support with these vendors.

Supported Software

For information about supported software, see:

Supported software

Recommendations for Students

In making any purchasing decision for computer hardware, in general a college student should consider the battery life of the device, a device that is lightweight, and one that has a fast CPU.  When looking at your individual preferences, you may want to consider if one wants to take handwritten notes, or use a computer/tablet hybrid (also called convertibles or  2-in-1 combination units) to take notes.  

Below are some of the minimum specs you might want to consider.

Processor
Windows - Intel Core 5 or greater  |  AMD Ryzen Series
Macs - M3 or newer

Memory
16 GB or greater
 

Storage
256 GB  (perhaps more for large or heavy media or graphic design work)
Note on storage: use a cloud storage such as Google Drive.  That way if your laptop needs repair you can access your files from another computer.

Size
11"-12"  thinnest and lightest
13"-14"  balanced approach (balances performance with size)
15"-16"  larger size, but will also come in as being heavier than the rest (consider this if you plan on graphic or film editing)


Other Considerations

  • a comfortable mouse
  • a well padded backpack or other case
  • if you will be on the move a lot, consider ergonomics
  • headphones with a microphone
  • USB and external hard drives
  • USB-C adapter and/or hub

 

Printers
Students do not need to bring a printer to campus.  We offer free printing on campus with some spaces available  24/7.  Consumer-grade printers won't work wirelessly on our campus network.
Scanning also offered at several of our public labs and workspaces. ADD LINK TO PRINTING INFO

Software
Check out what you are eligible for at no cost at colgate.edu/software before purchasing any software.  You can also see what's available in our public computing labs here.

Need more help?  Contact the ITS Service Desk.

Ask for Help

If you are unable to find the information you need in the documentation available online, the ITS Service Desk is available to assist.