Buying a Personal Computer
Recommended minimum specifications for computers that will meet the requirements of most academic work.
Faculty & Staff
If you decide to purchase a new computer, be sure to select one with Wi-Fi standard six or greater. The product description should include a number 6, 6e or 7 with the Wi-Fi symbol or 802.11 followed by “ac,” "ax" or "be." If you are using a computer or device you already own and are having issues, contact the Faculty/Staff Help Center.
| Component | Windows Desktop/Laptop | MAC Desktop/Laptop | Tablet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System (OS) | Latest 64-bit OS | Latest OS | Latest OS |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 | Apple M1 | Latest OS for Brand |
| RAM or Memory | 8GB | 8GB | 4GB to 8GB |
| Hard Drive | 120GB/250GB Solid State or Flash Drive | 120GB/250GB Solid State or Flash Drive | Your Choice |
| Warranty | Yes, get warranty | Yes, get AppleCare | Yes, get warranty/AppleCare |
Students
For purchasing advice, see the Student Laptop Services webpage. If you are using a computer or device you already own and are having issues, contact OTS Student Computing Services.
Make a Purchase
Apple
Purchase products and accessories at an Apple retail location or through the Apple Online Store.
Dell
Get potential deals and discounts on Dell consumer computers, electronics and accessories through Dell’s Employee Purchase Program (EPP)
Note: the business line of Dell products used at the university are different due to the demands of enterprise computing.
Support
Faculty/staff personally-owned devices: If you have issues with personally-owned computing devices (laptops, tablets, routers, cable modems, smartphones, etc.), you must seek support and service outside of the university.
Towson University, as a public university, cannot provide technical services for devices that are not owned by the university. OTS can help you connect to university systems, websites, applications and other campus-hosted resources. See the TechHelp Knowledge Base article for more info.
