Current Towson University faculty, staff and students are entitled to discounts from Dell and Apple, through agreements with the University System of Maryland.
Buying a Personal Computer
Recommended Minimum Specifications
OTS provides a list of recommended minimum specifications for computers that will meet the requirements for most academic needs.
Students
Check with your college or department relevant to your major for additional requirements and recommendations. If you decide to purchase a new computer, be sure to select one with a Wi-Fi standard five or greater. Here’s what to look for in the product description: number 5, 6 or 7 with the Wi-Fi symbol, or for number 802.11 followed by “be,” “az”, “ac,” or “n.” If you are using a computer or device you already own and are having issues, contact Student Computing Services.
| Component | Windows Desktop/Laptop | MAC Desktop/Laptop | Tablet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System (OS) | Latest 64-bit OS | Latest OS | Latest OS |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 | Intel Core i5 | Intel Core i5 |
| 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 |
Make a Purchase
Apple
Apple products and accessories can be purchased in two ways:
- At the Apple retail store. Visit Apple to search for retail locations.
- Through the Apple Online Store. If you shop online, select change your school and make sure its set for Towson University.
Dell
Get exclusive deals and discounts on Dell consumer computers, electronics, and accessories:
Note: the business line of Dell products used at the university are quite different due to the demands of enterprise computer.
Support
Support for Personally-Owned Devices
If you have issues with personally-owned computers and similar 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. The Office of Technology Services (OTS) is able to assist you with connecting to:
- university systems
- websites
- applications
- other campus-hosted resources
For more information, see Your Personally-Owned Computer: Tips on Getting Service, Support and Repairs (PDF).
