USNH Computer Software and Hardware Recommendations

Summary

Purpose: Developed to provide minimum and recommended hardware specifications as well as software needs as dictated by specific institution, school, college, or department.
Intended Audience:  students, and parents
Environment:  All USNH institutions, schools, or colleges
Scope of Article: Personal computer purchases for members of the USNH community.

The following guidelines were developed for typical student use. In most cases, this includes word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, Web browsing and web-based systems.  Some programs of study have more rigorous requirements or recommendations as indicated in the table below.  Please note: Tablets, iPads, and in some programs of study, Chromebooks are not recommended as primary computing devices. Check with professors on classroom tablet policies for note-taking and other functions.

Further Readings

USNH Computer Purchasing Program - USNH partners with Apple, Dell, and Lenovo for recommended hardware.

For Institutional purchases, please put in a Desktop Support request with Client Services, and one of our technicians will reach out to assist.

 

USNH Endpoint Hardware Recommendations 2025-2026

Minimum Hardware Specifications

  • Intel Core i5 (Core 5) Processor  OR  AMD Ryzen 5 Processor
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Solid State Hard Drives
  • Integrated sound and video, webcam
  • Wireless: 802.1ac (Wi-Fi 5).  802.11ax 
  • Standard manufacturer warranty
     

Recommended Hardware Specifications

  • Intel Core i7 (Core 7) Processor  OR  Apple M2
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512+ GB Solid State Hard Drives
  • Integrated sound and video, webcam
  • Wireless: 802.1ac (Wi-Fi 5).  802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) is preferred
  • Standard manufacturer warranty.  Accident protection is highly recommended

 

USNH Endpoint Software Recommendations 2025-2026

Minimum Software Specifications

  • Windows 11  OR  MacOS 14: Sonoma 
  • Microsoft 365 Apps, including OneDrive for cloud storage/backup (formerly Office 365) - free for USNH users
     

Recommended Software Specifications

  • Windows 11  OR  latest version of MacOS, currently MacOS 15: Sequoia
  • Microsoft 365 Apps, including OneDrive for cloud storage/backup (formerly Office 365) - free for USNH users
  • Anti-virus Software 

 

Campus/College Recommendations 2025-2026

 

Keene State College (KSC)

All departments*

See Minimum or Recommended Hardware Standards

See Minimum or Recommended Software Standards   
*If you are entering a major such as Graphic Design, Architecture or another major that might have other system requirements, please contact that department directly. If you are not sure, contact them to verify.

 

Plymouth State University (PSU)

Program of Study

Minimum Hardware Specs

Software

Business Administration

See Minimum or Recommended Hardware Standards

See Minimum Software Standards

Windows OS is recommended

Graphic Design

Apple Macs are recommended

Graphic Design:  32GB RAM

See Minimum Software Standards

Apple MacOS is recommended

 

University of New Hampshire (UNH) and UNH-Manchester

School/College

Recommended Hardware Configuration

Software

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS)

See Recommended Hardware Standards

Mechanical Engineering: 32GB RAM

See Recommended Software Standards

Apple MacOS Users, one of the following tools is recommended: 

For Windows 11 virtualization Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, or Virtual Box

For Linux virtualization: QEMU ( https://www.qemu.org/ )

Note: UNH CS, IT, and AD&S programs do NOT require Parallels for MacOS

College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)

See Recommended Hardware Standards

Chromebooks & iPads are not recommended

See Recommended Software Standards

College of Liberal Arts (COLA)

See Recommended Hardware Standards

See Recommended Software Standards

For Art Design, Communication: Media Option, and Art Digital Photography:  Mac is encouraged

College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA)

See Recommended Hardware Standards

Chromebooks & iPads are not recommended

See Recommended Software Standards

Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics (Paul College)

See Recommended Hardware Standards

Apple Macs: Not recommended

See Recommended Software Standards

All students: Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows (formerly Microsoft Office) Free for students

Apple MacOS Users: Windows 11 operating system via Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, or Virtual Box required

 

University of New Hampshire (UNH) Franklin Pierce School of Law

Franklin Pierce School of Law (Law)

See Minimum Hardware Standards

See Recommended Software Standards

 

 

 

 
 
 
Print Article