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Minimum Laptop Specifications

While undergraduate students are not required to purchase a laptop through the Carolina Computing Initiative, they are required to have a laptop that meets the or exceeds the minimum laptop specifications for their class. Please note that while best efforts will be made to support students with non-CCI laptops, the highest level of support can only be extended to students who purchase a CCI laptop package. Specifically, hardware support and access to the pool of loaner laptops are provided only for students who own a CCI model laptop.

Minimum specifications for: First Year | Second Year | Third Year

Minimum Laptop Specifications for First Year Students/Freshman

Students in the class of 2013 are required to have a laptop that meets or exceeds the following minimum specifications. All CCI models meet or exceed the specifications below:

  • Processor: Intel 2 Core Duo 2.0 GHz
  • Memory: 2GB
  • Operating System: Microsoft Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate
  • Hard Disk Drive: 160 GB
  • Drives: DVD Read and CD Read/Write Capable
  • Graphics: 128 MB Video Memory
    • 1024 x 768 Resolution or better
  • Audio: 16 Bit Audio
    • Speaker
    • Microphone
  • Communication devices:
    • Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n compliant and 128 bit WEP capable)
    • 10/100/1000 Ethernet
  • Expansion Ports: Two USB 2.0
    • Display: 12" TFT Display

Minimum Laptop Specifications for Second Year Students/Sophomore

Students in the class of 2012 are required to have a laptop that meets or exceeds the following minimum specifications. All CCI models meet or exceed the specifications below:

  • Processor: Intel 2 Core Duo 2.0 GHz
  • Memory: 2GB
  • Operating System: Microsoft Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate
  • Hard Disk Drive: 120 GB
  • Drives: DVD Read and CD Read/Write Capable
  • Graphics: 128 MB Video Memory
    • 1024 x 768 Resolution or better
  • Audio: 16 Bit Audio
    • Speaker
    • Microphone
  • Communication devices:
    • Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n compliant and 128 bit WEP capable)
    • 10/100/1000 Ethernet
    • Bluetooth
  • Expansion Ports (at least one):
    • USB 2.0
    • Type I/II PCMCIA Slot
    • Type III PCMCIA Slot
  • Display: 12" TFT Display

Minimum Laptop Specifications for Third Year Students/Junior

Students in the class of 2011 are required to have a laptop that meets the following minimum specifications. All CCI models meet these requirements.

  • Processor: Intel Core Duo 1.8 GHz
  • Memory: 1 Gb RAM
  • Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Hard Disk Drive: 100 GB
  • Drives: DVD Read and CD Read/Write Capable
  • Graphics: 128 MB Video Memory
    • 1024 x 768 Resolution or better
  • Audio: 16 Bit Audio
    • Speaker
    • Microphone
  • Communication devices:
    • Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n compliant and 128 bit WEP capable)
    • 10/100/1000 Ethernet
    • Bluetooth
  • Expansion Ports (at least one):
    • USB 2.0
    • Type I/II PCMCIA Slot
    • Type III PCMCIA Slot
  • Display: 12" TFT Display