Program-Specific Laptop Requirements

The Daniels College of Business STRONGLY RECOMMENDS a PC platform. 

Students pursuing a degree at Daniels College of Business will take classes that use software specific to Windows (e.g. Microsoft Access, Microsoft Visio) and therefore must run Windows on their computer. All students will need Microsoft Office, which can be downloaded for FREE.  If you choose to purchase your own version of Microsoft Office, please download the 2019 version.

GRADUATE STUDENTS, please contact Student Services (303-871-3416) in the Daniels College of Business to talk to your program advisor about which classes you may be taking.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, please contact Daniels Undergraduate Programs (303-871-6910) for more information about the technology requirements for the Microsoft certification.

If you plan on purchasing a Mac:
Please contact the IT Help Center (303-871-4700) first to discuss why we recommend a PC for Daniels College of Business students. All first year Daniels students with Macs will use a remote desktop system that will be installed during your first DCB lab, which allows a limited number of users to simultaneously access the latest version of Office while using Windows.  However certain academic programs may later require Mac users to have a dedicated Windows environment. You may contact the Office of Undergraduate Programs to learn more about whether your specific program may require advanced programs that are more compatible with PCs.

Minimum PC Requirements

• Operating System | MINIMUM Windows 8.1 | RECOMMENDED Windows 10 Home or Pro
• Productivity Tools | REQUIRED Latest version of Microsoft Office can be downloaded for FREE
• Processor Speed | MINIMUM Core i5 Processor | RECOMMENDED Core i5 or i7 Processor
• Memory | MINIMUM 8 GB RAM or higher
• Hard Drive | MINIMUM 250 GB (Do not purchase a 128 GB HD) | RECOMMENDED 250-500 GB
• Graphics Card | MINIMUM 512 MB Video memory
• Warranty | 4 year parts and labor (on-site strongly recommended)
• Insurance | Comprehensive breakage, theft, liquid spill, hazard (strongly recommended)
• Virus and Spyware Protection Software | Antivirus is provided by the University. See the details about free CrowdStrike Antivirus.

Optional

• USB Flash Memory Storage Devices are strongly recommended

If you have any questions about the Daniels College of Business's laptop requirements, please contact:

IT Help Center | 303-871-4700

Laptop Requirements for Computer Science majors

Minimum

• Operating System: MacOS 11 or above / Windows 11
• Processor Speed: M1 Processor (Macintosh)/i7 Processor (Windows)
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Hard Drive: 512 GB or larger Solid State Drive (SSD). *Do not purchase a 128 GB HD*
• External Hard Drive: Equivalent (or larger) size than Solid State Hard Drive (1TB or larger)
• Warranty: 3 year parts and labor AppleCare / Windows equivalent warranty
• Display: MacBook Pro (14" minimum, 16" diagonal display recommended)/Windows (15" minimum)

Software: Microsoft Office Suite, which can be downloaded for FREE, please visit go.du.edu/office365

Optional

• USB Flash Memory Storage Devices are strongly recommended
• Insurance: Comprehensive breakage, theft, hazard.

If you have any questions about the EDP's laptop requirements, please contact:

Professor Trace Reddell | Trace.Reddell@du.edu

Below you will find the  MINIMUM and RECOMMENDED laptop specifications for the Engineering departments (ECE/MME). These specifications should be used as guidance when making decisions on bringing a laptop to DU ECE/MME.

MINIMUM specifications are for those who are choosing not to buy a new laptop and want to bring an existing one to DU.

RECOMMENDED specifications are for those who are choosing to purchase a new laptop and need guidance on which specifications to go with.

Recommended minimum for all Lamont School of Music majors:

• MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, 13-inch screen, 8GB RAM,  256GB SSD.
• Software: Microsoft Office Suite, which can be downloaded for FREE, please visit go.du.edu/office365
• Warranty: 3 year parts and labor (AppleCare Protection Plan - Auto Enroll)

If you decide to buy a machine other than those recommended (a Windows machine for example) please make sure your laptop has a built-in microphone and video camera.   Minimum requirements for Windows laptops can be found on the IT website.

REQUIRED for Lamont Bachelor of Music Recording and Production majors

• Minimum: MacBook Pro, 16GB RAM, 512 GB SSD storage.
• External Hard Drive: Equivalent (or larger) size than the computer’s Solid State Drive (512 GB or larger).  This is a backup drive so an inexpensive USB drive will suffice.
• Software: Microsoft Office Suite, which can be downloaded for FREE. Please visit go.du.edu/office365
• Warranty: 3 years parts and labor (AppleCare Protection Plan - Auto Enroll)

If you have any questions about the Lamont School's laptop requirements, please contact michael.schulze@du.edu.