Recommendations & Computer Requirements

Marshall University Student Computer Hardware Recommendations and Software Requirements 2024/2025
Updated: Spring 2024

Marshall University requires all students to come to campus with a notebook or laptop computer based on Windows 10, Windows 11 or macOS. Some Windows-based computers called 2-in-1’s or Convertibles serve both as a notebook/laptop and as a tablet device. We recommend you also have a Smartphone or a Tablet.

College and program-specific requirements

Note: Where “core i” processors are recommended, we recommend 12th or 13th generation processors and Windows 11

**If your department or major isn’t listed, please contact your department or the IT Service Desk

Student Pricing

Dell: Click Here

Lenovo: Click Here

Apple: Click Here

Is my current Windows 10 or macOS Catalina computer adequate?

If you have a current notebook computer that is less than four years old and meets the following minimums then it should be adequate for your use in most disciplines at Marshall University until 2024. Please check with your advisor or the IT Service Desk if you are unsure:

• Intel Core i5 or i7 Processor 9th Generation or above
• Windows 10 Pro version or higher 1H2020 release OR macOS Catalina 10.15.x or higher
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB Hard Drive
• 1080p Display
• USB port(s)
• WiFi5 (802.11ac) or above
• Bluetooth 5.x or above
• 720p (1 megapixel) or higher webcam plus microphone and headset/earbuds

Smartphones and Tablets

The decade has seen rapid growth in the use of Smartphones and Tablets based on the Apple iOS or Android operating systems. These products have matured to a point that they have become an essential tool for today’s college student. Students and faculties have rapidly assimilated them into daily college life. These devices offer powerful functions that provide fantastic tools for communication and learning. In addition, those tools are comfortable, convenient, and foster interaction with people, as well as multitasking facilitation for formal and informal learning. It is recommended that all smartphones have NFC connectivity to take advantage of all of the resources available: Point of sale, room entry, and scanning of IDs for all uses on campus.

Software and applications that Marshall University provides to all students and employees free of charge on these mobile devices include:

• MUMobile which provides mobile access to nearly everything at Marshall University
• Marshall MobileID Card providing services to enter building/rooms, ride TTA buses, pay with Herd Points, etc.
• Transact eAccounts providing your Marshall Mobile ID with the ability to pay at various locations accepting Herd Points
• LinkedIn Learning providing over 10,000 free courses on a variety of topics
• Blackboard Learning Management System App with access to your course information, material, grades, and the ability to attend some courses remotely and interactively.
• Microsoft Office 365
  • Includes mobile versions of Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, OneDrive (1TB, of personal cloud storage accessible from any device), SharePoint, and Microsoft 365 Exchange Email with 100GB storage quota.
• Mobile Credential/ID for mobile wallets to use as your student ID on campus for access to buildings, labs, residence halls, meal services, attendance tracking, tickets, and purchases at vending machines and campus food service locations.
• AppsAnywhere (https://appsanywhere.marshall.edu/) is a software streaming service that allows you to stream software on your Windows, macOS, iOS or Android devices.

The camera and Internet connectivity on these devices do not just offer access to social media but to valuable resources for scanning and saving notes & documents for class projects and learning objectives, accessing & storing digital content such as books, periodicals, journal articles, and current media content.

FCC Smartphone Security Checker – use this tool to help protect you against mobile security threats.

Notebooks and Laptops

Although some students may be able to get by using their SmartPhone, Tablet, and/or relying on public computer labs to meet their academic needs; it will be much easier, or required in some disciplines, to have a Windows or macOS based computer. Newer mobile computers are more powerful and capable than those that are just a few years old. They are thinner, lighter, and have much longer battery life. Many Windows-based computers can also double with many of the characteristics of an iPad or Android Tablet with near instant-on and pen capabilities.

Full notebook computers can also be easily attached to home docking stations or campus classroom or huddle space devices to provide multiple monitors or large screen displays for work that requires that type of resource.

If you are considering a new device, we would recommend you purchase with an extended warranty of at least three years and from a top tier manufacturer like Dell, Microsoft, HP, Lenovo, or Apple.  Check out the link below for Educational Discounts using your marshall.edu email address.[/mu_toggle] [/mu_toggles]

General Computer Recommendations

Security Recommendations
Available Software
Educational Discounts
Previous Purchase Recommendations