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Does it have at least 4 GB of RAM/memory? (8 GB of RAM or higher recommended, but not required)
Do you have at least 128 GB of storage (either hard drive or solid-state drive)? (SSD of 240 GB or higher recommended, but not required)
If Windows, is it version 10?
How to tell what version of Windows you are running: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13443/windows-which-operating-system
Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020.
If a Mac, is it macOS version 10.1314.6 (High Sierra) or later?
How to tell what version of macOS you are running: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201260
Does it have Wi-Fi?
It will need to be compatible with 802.11n/ac standard and have a 5 GHz wireless radio (most, if not all, will be compatible if purchased within the last six years).
Does it have a webcam?
Webcams are required for use with the Online program.
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Any laptop running Windows or macOS that you buy new today will meet NCSSM's minimum specifications. Note that we did say laptop. Devices such as iPads, Android tablets, or Chromebooks will not work as primary devices given the various software requirements for classes that a student will take at NCSSM.
What laptop does ITS recommend? Here are a few options from Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Apple that we can recommend, however, please be aware that this list is by no means exhaustive, and many other brands and models with the specs listed above would likely work just as well.
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Warranty: we highly recommend at least a two-year warranty with complete care coverage (covering accidental damage such as broken LCD screens and spilled drinks). On-site warranty repair is most desirable to keep the time a student is without a laptop to a minimum. Students should bring a copy of the terms of the warranty to facilitate guidance from NCSSM ITS (.
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Note: ITS is not a computer repair facility for student laptop hardware issues |
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What else do you recommend or require?
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Students are not required to bring their own printer as printing is available in the library during the times it is open (most nights ~10 PM). Printing is charged at $.05 a page (only prints in monochrome). Wireless printers are not allowed at NCSSM due to the interference they can cause with wireless reception in residence halls. If you have a wireless printer and bring it, the wireless radio must be turned off and printing must be done via a cable connection. Students in violation of this rule will face disciplinary charges. With that in mind, below are recommendations that ITS makes:
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Mac users: consider purchasing an Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport adapter or Belkin Mini-DisplayPort to HDMI adapter to allow connections to NCSSM displays and projectors for presentations.
Software: Students will not be required to purchase any software that is mandatory for their class work. It will be made available to them to download and install.
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Utilizing the WPA2-Enterprise standard (which has been around since 2004) gives us the most secure method available of securing our wireless network at NCSSM. WPA2-Enterprise utilizes RADIUS servers for authentication when initiating a connection, generating a unique key for each session when encrypting the data between your device and the network. WPA2-Enterprise provides this and several other additional security benefits over using the WPA2-Personal (or WPA2-PSK) standard. WPA2 also utilizes a much stronger encryption protocol than WPA (CCMP for the former, TKIP for the latter).
Wi-Fi setup instructions
PCs, Macs, and Linux
Wi-Fi - Windows 8
Wi-Fi - macOS
Wi-Fi - Ubuntu
Mobile devices
Wi-Fi - iPhone and iPad
Wi-Fi - Android
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Please be aware, however, that many other consumer electronic devices with Wi-Fi do not support WPA2-Enterprise at this time, however. Please refer to the list below, which is not in any way exhaustive but contains many popular devices that do not support WPA2-Enterprise networks.
Instead, please use these use these directions to connect these types of devices to the NCSSM network:
Amazon Echo devices
Amazon Fire TV/Stick
Amazon Kindle Fire series tablets (2nd gen. and later)
Apple TV (1st or 2nd Generation)
Apple TV (3rd Generation or newer)1
Google Chromecast devices
Google Home/Home Mini
Microsoft Xbox 360/One/Series S/X
Nintendo 3DS/2DS/DS/DSi
Nintendo Wii/Wii U
Nintendo Switch
Roku devices
Televisions with the SmartTV® label
Sony Playstation 3/4/5
Sony Playstation Vita/PSP
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