Summary
This article provides minimum and recommended hardware specifications as well as software needs as dictated by specific institution, school, college, or department.
Body
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 Computer and Device Support request with Client Services, and one of our technicians will reach out to assist.
USNH Computer Hardware Recommendations 2026-2027
Minimum Hardware Specifications
- Intel Core 5 Processor OR AMD Ryzen 5 Processor
- 16 GB RAM
- 512 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 7 Processor OR Apple M4
- 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 Computer Software Recommendations 2025-2026
Minimum Software Specifications
- Windows 11 OR MacOS 26: Tahoe
- 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 26: Tahoe
- Microsoft 365 Apps, including OneDrive for cloud storage/backup (formerly Office 365) - free for USNH users
- Anti-virus Software
Campus/College Recommendations 2026-2027
Keene State College (KSC)
Plymouth State University (PSU)
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 Computer Science, Information Technology, and Analytics & Data Science programs do NOT require Parallels for MacOS
The USNH ET&S Help Desk provides limited support for virtual machines running on 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: Students using Macs are required to purchase and install virtualization software (such as Parallels Desktop) and a licensed copy of Windows 11 before classes begin. Some required Paul College courses rely on Windows-based business software.
The USNH ET&S Help Desk provides limited support for virtual machines running on MacOS.
|
University of New Hampshire (UNH) Franklin Pierce School of Law
-
-
-