Desktop Support & Minimum Recommendations

Desktop Recommendations are a listing of hardware and software currently supported by OIT and the level of support offered for each. These recommendations are minimum guidelines for providing the best possible support while maintaining acceptable levels of performance with clients' computers throughout the university. Desktop recommendations are updated as needed.

Windows XP w/SP3
1.5 GHz Processor
1.5 GB RAM (min.)
40+ GB Hard Drive

Windows 7
Any Dual-Core Processor
2 GB RAM
80+ GB Hard Drive
256 MB Video Card

Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard
Intel Processor (required)
2 GB RAM
80+ GB Hard Drive

Mac OS X v10.7 Lion
Intel Core Processor required
2 GB RAM (min.)
80+ GB Hard drive

Software manufacturers define the system requirements for their software, which usually include minimum processor (CPU), minimum memory (RAM), and minimum hard disk drive space (HDD). The more powerful the system, usually, the better the performance of the computer and the software.

When OIT posts desktop recommendations, careful consideration is given to user needs for basic functionality, anti-virus, security, multitasking, software used for support, networking, etc. If a computer does not meet the minimum standards, OIT can determine whether a hardware upgrade is possible. If such computers cannot be upgraded,OIT recommends that they be replaced with systems that do meet the minimum standards.

Computers that do not meet the minimum standards can encounter problems, and OIT's ability to support such computers can be hampered. Hence, these computers may not be fully supported, if at all, by OIT when problems arise.