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Overview
Information for Binghamton University students about purchasing a personal computer.
Need a New Computer?
First check with your department, as they will have proper recommendations for you (such as Apple/PC, laptop/desktop, etc.), then go from there. Always remember to get your new student computer discount! For Dell and Apple see below.
Nursing, Pharmacy, and School of Management students are required to have a laptop. Other programs do not require a computer, but we recommend that students have a computer for their convenience.
Program-Specific Requirements
We recommend checking with the school or program for specific requirements, such as:
- School of Management (SOM) computer recommendations - PC
- Fine Arts - APPLE
- Chemistry - PC
- Cinema - APPLE
- Computer Science - PC or APPLE
- DSON - PC or APPLE
- English - PC or APPLE
- Mathematical Sciences - PC or APPLE
- Psych/Int. Neuroscience - PC or APPLE
- Watson- PC preferred or BOTH PC and APPLE
General Recommended Specs - For most students in Harpur College of Arts and Sciences or the Graduate School, a standard laptop meeting these "Recommended" specs will be sufficient:
| Component |
Minimum (Acceptable) |
Recommended (Best for 4 years) |
| Operating System (PC) |
Windows 11 |
MacOS 12 (Monterrey) |
| Operating System (MAC) |
macOS 14 (Sonoma) |
macOS 15 (Sequoia or newer) |
| Processor (PC) |
Intel Core i5 (13th Gen+) |
Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 |
| Processor (MAC) |
Apple M2, M3 chip |
Apple M4 or M5 chip |
| Memory (RAM) |
16 GB |
16 or 24 GB (unified memory) |
| Storage (SSD) |
256GB Hard-Drive |
512 GB SSD or Larger |
| Warranty |
1 year Manufacturer |
3 Year on-site or AppleCare+ |
NOTE: Chromebooks/iPads: While useful for note-taking and browsing, these devices are not recommended as a primary computer. Many academic software packages and exam-proctoring tools (like Respondus or Honorlock) do not fully support ChromeOS or iPadOS.
More School-specific Requirements: Certain programs have specific software needs that may require a more powerful machine or a specific operating system. Always check with your department before purchasing.
- School of Management (SOM): Windows is strongly recommended. Many specialized business applications (like Microsoft Access or specific Excel plugins) are Windows-only. Mac users may need to use [BingView] (Virtual Desktop) to complete assignments.
- Watson College of Engineering: Windows-based laptops are preferred. If using a Mac, ensure it has at least 16GB of RAM to handle the virtualization of engineering software.
- Decker College of Nursing: Laptops are required for clinical documentation and testing. Both Windows and Mac are supported, provided they meet the minimum specs above.
Apple & Dell Discounts
Apple and Dell both have educational discounts for students (and faculty/staff) available at:
NOTE: Binghamton University does not endorse any of these vendors or their offers other than to provide the options to our students.
Helpful Accessories
- Webcam/Microphone: Most laptops have these built-in, but ensure they are functional for remote sessions or interviews.
- Headphones: Essential for studying in the Library or Union.
- USB-C Adapter: Newer laptops (especially Macs) may require a "dongle" or hub to connect to HDMI or USB-A devices.
- External Hard Drive/Cloud Backup: Always back up your work! We recommend using your Google Drive (provided by the University) for cloud storage.
- Bring a ethernet cable for residence halls
Computer Issues?
If your personal computer needs repair, the ITS Help Desk can provide:
- Diagnostic Support: Helping you identify the problem.
- ResCons: On-campus residents can contact their ResCon for assistance with connection issues or software setup.
- Find out how to get a short term loaner laptop from ITS.
- See our Knowledge Base for other useful information
For further assistance, please feel free to contact the Binghamton University ITS Help Desk at 607-777-6420 or Submit a Request.
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