{"id":90,"date":"2025-09-05T16:28:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T20:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/information-technology-services\/?p=90"},"modified":"2025-10-09T12:11:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T16:11:28","slug":"personal-computer-purchases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/information-technology-services\/personal-computer-purchases\/","title":{"rendered":"Personal Computer Purchases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-4a938530 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<p class=\"is-style-intro\">Clark University recommends that, if possible, students own a personal Windows or Mac desktop or laptop. If purchasing a device is not possible, those students who study here in Worcester are welcome to use the large number of public computers available across campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below, find some recommended and minimum specifications for personal devices for both general student use and some for specialist programs. If you don\u2019t see your specialist program below, you may want to check with your academic department to see if they have preferred specifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-light-warm-gray-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>If you would like advice before making your final choice, please don\u2019t hesitate to contact the\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:helpdesk@clarku.edu\">ITS Help Desk,<\/a>\u00a0508-793-7745.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Note about Tablets and Chromebooks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We have seen that students who rely&nbsp;<strong>solely<\/strong>&nbsp;on cellphones, tablets or ChromeBooks often struggle to participate fully in academic activities. Much academic software has technical requirements that can\u2019t be accommodated by these devices. If you are investing in a device, where possible, we do recommend purchasing a Windows or Mac laptop or desktop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column sidebar-right is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-ea8b11be wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/information-technology-services\/software\/\">Software for Clarkies<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/information-technology-services\/a-z-service-catalog\/\">Explore Services<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>General Use: Recommended Specifications<\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Processor \u2013 dual core 2.4 GHz+ (i5 or i7 series Intel processor or equivalent AMD) <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RAM \u2013 16 GB <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hard Drive \u2013 256 GB or larger solid state hard drive <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Graphics Card \u2013 any with DisplayPort\/HDMI or DVI support \u2013 desktop only <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wireless (for laptops) \u2013 802.11ac (WPA2 support required) <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor \u2013 23\u2033 widescreen LCD with DisplayPort\/HDMI or DVI support \u2013 desktop only <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operating System \u2013 Windows 11 Home or Professional editions, or Apple OS 13 or higher <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Warranty \u2013 3 year warranty \u2013 desktop only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Warranty \u2013 4 year warranty with accidental damage protection \u2013 laptop only <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Backup Device \u2013 External hard drive and\/or USB Flash Drive <br><em>Please note: The extended warranties listed above must be added at the enhancement page when selecting your hardware for purchase.<\/em> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clark provides students free access to many common software including\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Virus protection software (Sophos Home)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/information-technology-services\/software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here for more information on included software<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Computer Science, and Data Science: Recommended Specifications<\/summary>\n<p>The recommendations below should be considered in addition to those offered above by ITS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students in Computer Science and Data Science courses are encouraged to purchase laptops rather than desktops as they are used in many classes. ChromeBooks are not recommended for these courses. You should purchase a Windows, Mac or Linux device. Recommended Specifications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>32GB of RAM is strongly recommended particularly for Data Science courses.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>16GB is the minimum specification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An SSD (solid state drive) hard drive of 1TB is recommended\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>512GB SSD is the minimum specification<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A USB-C connection to use in-class docking stations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clark provides students free access to many common software including<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Virus protection software (Sophos Home)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/information-technology-services\/software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here for more information on included software<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have additional questions, please contact the&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:helpdesk@clarku.edu\">ITS Help Desk<\/a>, or your admissions advisor.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Interactive Media &amp; Game Design: Recommended Specifications<\/summary>\n<p>The recommendations below should be considered in addition to those offered above by ITS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recommended Specifications\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Multicore Intel I9 or similar Ryzen CPU<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>16 to 32 GB of RAM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An SSD (solid state drive) hard drive of at least 512GB<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A good stand-alone graphics card with on-board memory;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, or comparable AMD alternative are a good choice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 card is more capable, but expensive for a novice system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A monitor resolution of at least 1080; ideally 1920\u00d71080.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students tend to purchase HP, Lenovo, Apple, or similar devices.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Desktop PCs often provide more value than laptops, though will require the purchase of a monitor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A good warranty is important for all devices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We do not recommend spending significant amounts of money on a computer as an incoming first year student. Many students opt to upgrade devices during the program.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Appropriate computers are available for $1,500-$2,000, though many students also have success purchasing official refurbished devices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generally, a computer that plays video games well, will be appropriate for making games.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clark provides students free access to many common software including\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Virus protection software (Sophos Home)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/information-technology-services\/software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here for more information on included software<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have additional questions, please contact the&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:helpdesk@clarku.edu\">ITS Help Desk<\/a>, or your admissions advisor.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>SPS Graduate Courses: General Advice<\/summary>\n<p>Students enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Professional Studies should contact their advisor to learn more about which computers are best for your courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some SPS courses do require a Windows device. In those courses, students with Mac devices will be required to set-up their computer to dual-boot into Windows. If you are unsure on how to do this, or are uncomfortable doing so, you may find that a Windows device is a better choice for you.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Clark University recommends that, if possible, students own a personal Windows or Mac desktop or laptop. If purchasing a device is not possible, those students who study here in Worcester are welcome to use the large number of public computers available across campus. 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