# Student Computer Recommendations

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Choosing a new computer is an important decision, and we would like to provide recommendations for minimum system requirements that might help you get the most out of your new computer. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Please checkout our </span>[<span style="font-weight: 400;">KB page for upgrading hardware</span>](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/computer-hardware-upgrade-managment/page/hardware-upgrades-ram-and-ssd)<span style="font-weight: 400;"> in your computer to see if minor upgrades could save you the cost of buying a new computer.</span>

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#### <span style="font-weight: 400;">Minimum System Requirements</span>

##### <span style="font-weight: 400;">RAM (Random Access Memory)</span>

- <span style="font-weight: 400;">At least </span>**8GB**<span style="font-weight: 400;"> of RAM is recommended</span>
- <span style="font-weight: 400;">It is important to have an adequate amount of RAM, because this allows you to run multiple programs and have multiple browser tabs open at the same time without bogging down your computer.</span>
- <span style="font-weight: 400;">If you foresee yourself working with more complicated software and having to multitask frequently, you may want to consider purchasing a computer with </span>**16GB**<span style="font-weight: 400;"> of RAM</span>

##### <span style="font-weight: 400;">Internal Storage</span>

- <span style="font-weight: 400;">We recommend at least </span>**512GB**<span style="font-weight: 400;"> of internal storage</span>
- <span style="font-weight: 400;">This will give you enough local storage for the operating system, software programs, data files, pictures, etc.</span>
- <span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition, we highly recommend that you backup your computer. For different methods and best practices, visit our </span>[<span style="font-weight: 400;">Computer Backup KB Page</span>](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/computer-backup)

##### <span style="font-weight: 400;">CPU (Internal Central Processing Unit)</span>

- <span style="font-weight: 400;">We recommend having at least a </span>**quad-core**<span style="font-weight: 400;"> processor</span>
- <span style="font-weight: 400;">Although there is a tradeoff between energy efficiency, a quad-core processor allows you to multitask and run several programs at the same time without slowing you down</span>

##### <span style="font-weight: 400;">Internal Drive</span>

- <span style="font-weight: 400;">Ensure that the device you are purchasing has a </span>**solid-state-drive (SSD)**
- <span style="font-weight: 400;">Having an **SSD** will greatly increase your computer’s loading and transfer speeds</span>
- Additionally, if your current device has a hard disk drive, you may be able to upgrade it to a SSD. Check out our [Hardware Upgrades KB page](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/computer-hardware-upgrade-managment/page/hardware-upgrades-ram-and-ssd)<span style="font-weight: 400;"> to learn more!</span>