Choosing a Computer for College

What should I purchase?

The College of Business Administration recommends purchasing a laptop with these minimum specifications:

• Windows 11 Operating System
• Intel i5/Core 5 or AMD R5 or better processor (CPU)
• 16 GB or more memory (RAM)
• 256 GB or more of storage (Solid-State Drive)
• 14-inch or larger screen
• An appropriate warranty with accident protection

These specifications will ensure you have a capable device for your college career in the Business school.

Dell has partnered with us to ensure we have appropriate devices to recommend, and their education page is found here. From this link, you can scroll down to the shop section for pre-filtered results based on the device type that appeals to you. Generally, the “Everyday-Use PCs” section is appropriate for most people.

All devices on this site are publicly available and can be freely configured to fit your budget. The main advantage of purchasing from Dell is a 10% education discount that you can access by signing up with your ksu.edu email address via the “Join or Login” button on the landing page. Once you have decided on a device, we recommend an appropriate warranty with accident protection to minimize downtime in the event of a technical issue. You can review the warranty options after adding a computer to your cart.

The Student Union Computer Store also has many laptops for sale and often offers discounts for students. You can visit them on the ground floor of the Student Union.

What about Macs?

Apple makes capable and competent products, but the business world operates primarily on Windows. Therefore, Macs are not recommended for business students. MacBooks often provide a different experience with business software and in some cases, they cannot run the same programs designed for a Windows device. If you have already purchased a Mac, there are still options available.

How about a Chromebook or Tablet?

Low-cost devices like Chromebooks, Android tablets, and iPads certainly have their place, but we do not recommend them as a primary device for college students. They can be a tremendous supplementary device for taking notes in classes, but they are limited in what they can do.

Software

The University provides free access to Office 365 for all students, faculty, and staff. The College also offers additional free Microsoft software for academic use, including the Windows operating system. Obtain a license and download the disk image (ISO) by following the instructions under Microsoft Software on our website.