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 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 OTS Technology Support Desk.

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 the Tech Support Desk. 

Make a Purchase

Apple

Purchase products and accessories at an  or through the

Dell

Get potential deals and discounts on Dell consumer computers, electronics and accessories through  

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