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. All CCI laptops meet the minimum laptop requirement.
CCI purchases come with additional benefits, including the highest level of tech support. Your CCI laptop package includes on-site tech support from an authorized warranty repair center and access to a pool of loaner laptops when yours is under repair.
Minimum laptop specifications
Students are required to have a laptop that meets or exceeds the following minimum specifications. All CCI models meet or exceed the specifications below:
CLASS OF 2028 SPECS
Minimum specifications for first year students
Operating system:
- PC: Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise or Pro
- MAC: macOS 14 or later
Processor:
- PC: 13th Generation Intel Core Ultra 5 or better
- MAC: Apple Silicon M3 or better
Memory:
- 8 GB Minimum
Hard disk drive:
- 256 GB SSD
Display:
- 13 inches or larger
- 1920 x 1080 Resolution or better
Media capabilities:
- Speaker
- Microphone
- WebCam
Network:
- Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n compliant)
Expansion ports:
- USB 2.0/3.0 and/or USB-C
CLASS OF 2027 SPECS
Minimum specifications for first year students
Operating system:
- PC: Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise or Pro
- MAC: macOS 12 or later
Processor:
- PC: 12th Generation Intel Core i5 or better
- MAC: Apple Silicon M2 or better
Memory:
- 8 GB Minimum
Hard disk drive:
- 256 GB SSD
Display:
- 13 inches or larger
- 1920 x 1080 Resolution or better
Media capabilities:
- Speaker
- Microphone
- WebCam
Network:
- Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n compliant)
Expansion ports:
- USB 2.0/3.0 and/or USB-C
CLASS OF 2026 SPECS
Minimum specifications for second year students
Operating system:
- PC: Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise or Pro
- MAC: macOS 10.15 or later
Processor:
- PC: 11th Generation Intel Core i5 or better
- MAC: 10th Generation Intel Core i5 or better or M1 Apple Silicon or better
Memory:
- 8 GB Minimum
Hard disk drive:
- 256 GB SSD
Display:
- 13 inches or larger
- 1920 x 1080 Resolution or better
Media capabilities:
- Speaker
- Microphone
- WebCam
Network:
- Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n compliant)
Expansion ports:
- USB 2.0/3.0 and/or USB-C