Personal Computer Recommendations
Personal Computer Recommendations
for Students
for Students
Embedded Files
It’s important to take steps to maintain the security and health of your personal device and data during your time at Smith. Please review our recommendations for hardware and software best practices.
Hardware Minimum and Recommended Requirements
Hardware Minimum and Recommended Requirements
Processor: current generation of Intel Core Series (i3, i5, i7, i9) or AMD Ryzen equivalent.
Memory: 8GB RAM Minimum/16 or more Recommended
Storage: 256GB Minimum/512 or more recommended
Camera, Microphone, and Speakers
Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi)
Current Windows or Mac OS
Other options to consider:
Other options to consider:
Purchasing an extended warranty or accidental damage protection
Not relying on a tablet or smartphone as your primary device
Consulting with your degree program for additional computing requirements, especially science and engineering majors
For questions and assistance regarding personal computer purchases, staff at the Smith College Computer Store are available to help.
Maintaining the Security and Health of Your Personal Device
Maintaining the Security and Health of Your Personal Device
Do:
Do:
Use Strong Passwords - Strong passwords are long, random, unique, and include all four character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Password managers are a powerful tool to help you create strong passwords for each of your accounts.
Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication - You need more than a password to protect your online accounts; enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked. Enable MFA on all your online accounts that offer it, especially email, social media, and financial accounts.
Recognize & Report Phishing - Be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive information or credentials with unknown sources. Report phishing attempts and delete the message.
Update Software - Ensuring your software is up to date is the best way to make sure you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. Regularly check for updates if automatic updates are unavailable. Note: Smith-owned computers are maintained and updated regularly
Reboot or shut down at least daily.
Check your disk space frequently and free up space by clearing your recycle bin, deleting large or unnecessary files, or uninstalling programs you no longer need. Try to keep 15-20% of space available.
Back up your files regularly.
Don't:
Don't:
Download attachments from people you don’t know.
Eat or drink over your device.
Carry your laptop in your bag with your water bottle. Liquid damage is a top reason laptops end up in our repair center.
Ignore problems with your laptop until they become serious - you run the risk of losing data.
If you do encounter issues with your device, we are here to help! ITS technicians can provide diagnostic support and limited repairs on Dell and Apple computers owned by Smith College students. See Computer Repair for more details.
If you have any other questions, please visit our Request Help page.
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