All undergraduate students are required to bring a laptop computer that meets the minimum specifications outlined below. Virtually all laptops being sold today meet or exceed the minimum specifications below.
Students in the Graphic Design, Digital Media, and Game Design and Development programs have specific requirements for their program. If you are in one of these programs, please review the information carefully.
Continuing Education students are currently exempt from this requirement. Students exempt from the laptop requirement may bring a laptop or PC of their choice but the university recommends that it meet the following minimum specifications.
(applies to all students except those in the Graphic Design, Digital Media, and Game Design and Development programs)
Windows or Mac? - Whether you choose to bring a Windows laptop or a Mac is entirely up to you. While there are more Windows computers on campus, we continue to see an increasing number of students bringing Macs. Both Mac and Windows laptops are supported by Help Desk Services which is certified to perform warranty repairs on Apple and Dell products.
Windows Laptop
Dell is the preferred laptop model and offers a comprehensive, discounted package to SNHU students. However, students may choose any model meeting the minimum suggested specifications.
| Processor |
Pentium M processor or newer |
| Memory |
2 GB (4 GB recommended)
|
| Hard Drive |
80 GB or higher
|
| Floppy Drive |
Optional-this is no longer a standard feature on most laptops |
| Network Card |
Integrated Internal Card 10/100 |
| Wireless Network Card |
Required |
| CD-ROM |
24X CD-RW/DVD drive |
| Operating System |
Microsoft Windows XP Professional, SP2 or newer
|
| Office Suite |
Microsoft Office 2007 Professional or Office 2010- required for all students |
| Antivirus software |
Symantec antivirus is provided free of charge to all resident students. Non-resident students are required to have antivirus software of their choice in order to connect to the SNHU network. |
| Warranty |
3 year limited warranty - extended coverage highly recommended |
Mac Laptop
Macs are fully supported at SNHU and work with all of our campus systems. Keep in mind however that some of your classes may require software that only comes made for Windows computers. Macs with Intel processors can run Mac OS and Windows on the same computer. If you choose to bring a Mac, it is recommended that you install Windows using Bootcamp which allows you to use your Mac as a Mac or a Windows computer. An even better option is to install Parallels or VMWare Fusion software which allows you to run Mac and Windows at the same time. Macs are only made by Apple Inc. Discounted pricing can be obtained by SNHU students at www.apple.com/edu/snhu
| Model |
MacBook or MacBook Pro with Intel processor. All MacBook and MacBook Pro models currently sold exceed the minimum specs. |
| Memory |
1 GB or higher
|
| Hard Drive |
80 GB or higher
|
| Wireless Network Card |
Required |
| CD-ROM |
CD-RW/DVD Drive |
| Operating System |
Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard
|
| Office Suite |
Microsoft Office 2008 or 2011 for Mac
|
| Antivirus Software |
Symantec antivirus is provided free of charge to all resident students. Non-resident students are required to have antivirus software of their choice in order to connect to the SNHU network. |
| Warranty |
AppleCare Protection Plan |
| Recommended but not required |
We suggest that you also purchase Parallels or VMWare Fusion software as well as a copy of Windows.
|
Discounted pricing can be obtained by at www.apple.com/edu/snhu
| Model |
MacBook Pro |
| Processor |
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor
|
| Memory |
4 GB RAM (more is better)
|
| Display |
Personal preference but two things to consider:
Size - 15" or 17" - digital media students tend to prefer the larger screen
Anti-glare Matte finish or Glossy - Glossy provides richer color but can have a glare from overhead lights. |
| Hard Drive |
320 GB or larger |
| Wireless Network Card |
Required but built-in on all Macs |
| CD-ROM |
Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW), SuperDrive for Digital Media Majors |
| Operating System |
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
|
| Required Software |
iLife Suite (includes iDVD, iPhoto, iMovie, iWeb, Garage Band) |
| Office Suite |
Microsoft Office 2008 or 2011 for Mac (includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Entourage/Outlook) |
| Antivirus Software |
Symantec antivirus is provided free of charge to all resident students. Non-resident students are required to have antivirus software of their choice in order to connect to the SNHU network. |
| Warranty |
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro |
| Recommended but not required |
We suggest that you also purchase Parallels or VMWare Fusion software as well as a copy of Windows.
|
Questions about Graphic Design and Digital Media specs?
Contact Harry Umen, Chair, Department of Communication, Media Arts, and Technology.
Students can purchase Adobe software at drastically reduced prices. For more details go to: http://it.snhu.edu/instructionalsupport/software/index.html
| Processor |
Intel Core i5 or AMD Phenom equivalent with Dual or Quad-Core processors
|
| Memory |
4 to 8 GB |
| Hard Drive |
160 GB or higher
|
| Network Card |
Integrated Internal Card 10/100/1000 |
| Wireless Network Card |
Required
|
| CD-ROM |
CD-RW/DVD - 8X speed or higher |
Video Card
|
Minimum 512MB dedicated video card
|
Sound Card
|
Windows compatible sound card, including an external plug-in with headset |
| External Mouse |
Optical mouse, two button minimum with scroll wheel
|
| Operating System |
Windows 7 64-bit with Direct X version 9.0c or higher
|
| Office Suite |
Microsoft Office 2007 Professional or Office 2010 Professional - required for all students |
| Antivirus Software |
Symantec antivirus is provided free of charge to all resident students. Non-resident students are required to have antivirus software of their choice in order to connect to the SNHU network. |
| Warranty |
3 year limited warranty - extended coverage highly recommended |
Questions about Game Design and Development specs?
Contact Lundy Lewis, Department Chair
