2026-2027 Laptop Minimum & Recommended Specifications for Undergraduate Students
The table below represents the minimum and recommended laptop specifications for undergraduate students at the University of Denver for both Windows and MacOS devices. Use these guidelines when selecting a laptop for your academic work at DU.
Minimum Specifications apply to students who plan to bring an existing laptop to campus rather than purchasing a new one. These specs represent the lowest acceptable performance level for academic use but may face limitations regarding the systems and applications DU requires.
Recommended Specifications are intended for students purchasing a new laptop and seeking guidance on what to buy.
Important Notes
Netbooks, Chromebooks, Tablets, and Other Low Cost Devices designed for simple web browsing and basic tasks are not recommended as they are known to not meet the needs of most DU Students.
Program-Specific Requirements: some academic programs require or strongly recommend a specific operating system or hardware configuration. Please review the Program Specific Laptop Requirements page to ensure your device meets the needs of your major.
|
WINDOWS PC |
APPLE MACINTOSH |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Operating |
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED |
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED
|
|
Productivity Tools |
Microsoft Office can be downloaded for FREE, please visit go.du.edu/office365 |
Microsoft Office can be downloaded for FREE, please visit go.du.edu/office365 |
|
Windows Emulation Software (check with academic advisor) |
N/A |
|
|
Processor Type |
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED |
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED |
|
Memory |
MINIMUM |
MINIMUM |
|
Hard Drive |
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED |
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED |
|
Graphics Card |
MINIMUM |
MINIMUM |
|
Insurance |
Comprehensive breakage, theft, liquid spill, hazard (strongly recommended) |
|
|
Virus Protection Software |
Anitvirus is provided by the University. For software and instructions please visit the Student Resources page. |
|
| Cloud Storage/Document Backup | University students are provided with free OneDrive storage that IT@DU highly recommends they use to backup locally stored course related files. | |
| Onboard AI and NPUs |
Neural Processing Units (NPUs) are dedicated AI accelerators now appearing in many new computers. Their performance is measured in TOPS (trillions of operations per second), a metric you’ll often see listed when comparing devices. IT@DU does not currently require NPU equipped devices. However, some emerging tools — including Microsoft Copilot+ features and certain AI enhanced Adobe workflows — perform best on systems with around 40–48 TOPS of NPU performance. |
|
| Graphics Cards and VRAM | Please see Program Specific Laptop Requirements | |
Recommended Accessories
- USB Memory Storage Devices: Strongly recommended for their ease of use and ability to encrypt contents in case of lost or stolen property.
- External Webcam: Strongly recommended if your computer does not have an integrated or functioning webcam for online learning.
- Headset/Headphones with Microphone: Strongly recommended for optimal videoconferencing performance as clarity of speech is improved and background noise is minimized.
Optional Accessories
- Multiport Adapter: specific to your device to both HDMI and USB 3.0 - This will aid in the connection to technology resources in Huddle Rooms, Group Study Rooms, and Classrooms.
For questions concerning hardware and software minimum specifications, please contact the IT Computer Help Center | 303-871-4700.