Laptop Requirements for cadets, graduate, and undergraduate students
All cadets and students are required to have a personal laptop for use in various Citadel classes. The Citadel operates as a Microsoft campus, so it is important that laptops are compatible with Office 365. While Windows laptops are recommended, Apple laptops are generally acceptable for most courses. However, please note that Apple computers may present software compatibility challenges. For example, Excel on macOS may not meet the requirements for Business classes, and certain specialized software is only available for Windows.
A note on Netbooks/Chromebooks: Netbooks are suitable for basic internet browsing and word processing. They do not satisfy the Citadel’s laptop policy.
| WINDOWS PC (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED) | APPLE MACINTOSH | |
| Operating System | MINIMUM Windows 10 or 11 We will not support or connect machines running Windows 8, 7, Vista, or XP. | MINIMUM Mac OS 10.15 or higher |
| Productivity Tools | Students have access to Microsoft Office 365 for free | Students have access to Microsoft Office 365 for free |
| Windows Emulation Software (check with academic advisor) | N/A | Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMware Fusion (Note: both cost money and can be challenging to configure) |
| Processor Type | MINIMUM Intel Core i5 Processor RECOMMENDED Intel Core i7 Processor | MINIMUM Intel Core i5 Processor RECOMMENDED Intel Core i7 Processor or Apple M1 |
| Memory | MINIMUM 8 GB RAM Recommended 16 GB RAM | MINIMUM 8 GB RAM Recommended 16 GB RAM |
| Hard Drive | MINIMUM 250 GB or higher Do not purchase a 128 GB HD RECOMMENDED 500 GB or higher | MINIMUM 250 GB Do not purchase a 128 GB HD RECOMMENDED 500 GB or higher |
| Graphics Card | MINIMUM Integrated card | MINIMUM Integrated card |
| WebCam | Integrated or External | Integrated or External |
| Warranty | 4 year parts and labor (on-site strongly recommended) | 3 year parts and labor AppleCare |
| Insurance | Comprehensive breakage, theft, liquid spill, hazard (strongly recommended) | |
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.
- Ethernet cable: These are required for wired connections on campus. They can be purchased at the Citadel bookstore.
- 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 | (843) 953-HELP