Computer Recommendations

Minimum Computing Specs

Computer*

Windows or Mac laptop or desktop

Operating System

Windows 10 or MacOS 10.15 Catalina (supported OS within the last 2 years)

Processor

Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent

Memory

8GB or larger

Storage Drive Capacity

256 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) or larger

Network/Wi-Fi

Wireless network card for WiFi access

Remote Collaboration

Web camera, speakers (or headphones) and microphone

Supported Browsers

Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Microsoft Edge

*Note:  Some technical programs may require more than the above, please check with your faculty if in Business and Office, or Computer Professions programs.

Chromebooks:  are not recommended as there have been compatibility issues reported from students and instructors.

If Chromebooks are chosen, the user should expect limitations and may have to find alternatives to address the need, for instance, in using Respondus Lockdown Browser for taking tests in your courses at Riverland.

Alternatives to Chromebooks could be:

  • Using an on-campus lab to perform the work.

SmartPhones and Tablets: You may encounter limitations if you try to use these as your primary learning device.  Homework assignments and other activities may not be feasible on these devices.

Student Discounts: Most manufacturers will offer student academic pricing on both the purchase of a new computer and when purchasing software, so be sure to ask for an academic discount to help save money!  Dell offers up to 10% at www.dell.com/riverland.

Microsoft Office365As a student at Riverland you will be able to download Microsoft Office 365 for using Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and others for FREE and purchasing it separately will NOT be required.