Student Computer Requirements

Summary

All students are responsible for having a laptop that allows effective learning both in class and remotely. All students are advised to check their academic department for any specific requirements for their major.

Body

All students are responsible for having a laptop that allows effective learning both in class and remotely. All students are advised to check their academic department for any specific requirements for their major.

Below are the general requirements for all majors.

Required:

Laptops running either MacOS or Microsoft Windows are required.  Chromebooks are not recommended due to its device restrictions.

Laptops should be able to perform these basic tasks:

  • Canvas.olivet.edu - the ability to participate in our online learning environment including uploading and downloading content.
  • Video conferencing - the ability to communicate effectively (with video and audio) using services like Microsoft Teams.
  • Microsoft Office 365 (Free as an Olivet Student) - the ability to produce and submit work for class using these products.

Recommended:

 

WINDOWS PC
(STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)

APPLE COMPUTERS

Operating
System

Windows 11

MINIMUM
Mac OS Ventura (13.0) or higher

RECOMMENDED
Mac OS Sequoia (15.0) or higher

 

Productivity Tools

Microsoft Office can be downloaded for FREE, please visit https://it.olivet.edu/self-help/microsoft-365-free

Microsoft Office can be downloaded for FREE, please visit https://it.olivet.edu/self-help/microsoft-365-free

Windows Emulation Software (check with academic advisor)

N/A

Parallels Desktop for Mac
or
VMware Fusion
or
Bootcamp

Processor Type

MINIMUM
Intel Core i3 Processor (current gen)

RECOMMENDED
Intel Core i5 or i7 Processor (current gen)

MINIMUM
Apple M1

RECOMMENDED
Apple M4

Memory

MINIMUM
8 GB RAM
Recommended
16 GB RAM or higher

MINIMUM
8 GB RAM
Recommended
16 GB RAM or higher

Hard Drive (SSD or NVME)

MINIMUM
250 GB

RECOMMENDED
500 GB or higher

MINIMUM
250 GB

RECOMMENDED
500 GB or higher

 

Warranty

4 year parts and labor 
(on-site strongly recommended)

3 year parts and labor AppleCare

Insurance

Comprehensive breakage, theft, liquid spill, hazard (strongly recommended)

Educational discounts - Using your student status can get you discounts on hardware and software. We primarily purchase Dell and Apple Devices, and will include their educational links below. 

Apple Education

Dell University

Details

Details

Article ID: 167122
Created
Tue 6/10/25 11:34 AM
Modified
Tue 6/17/25 11:08 AM