The JMU Engineering Department requires that all students have a personal laptop or desktop for completing course work. Suggested specifications for these computer systems are provided below.
We strongly recommend students purchase a system at the “Recommended” or “Optimal” level to ensure sufficient computing support for this entire plan of study. Only Windows Intel-based systems are supported by the department. Systems running Linux or Apple configuration may be inoperable with the required course software.
We recommend purchasing your computer from the JMU Bookstore.
|
Recommended: |
Optimal: |
|
|
Operating System* |
Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
|
Processor (CPU)** |
Intel i7 |
Intel i9 |
|
Memory (RAM) |
16 GB |
32 GB |
|
Storage |
512 GB HDD |
1TB PCIe NVMe SS |
|
Graphics*** |
Nvidia Quadro |
Nvidia Quadro RTX |
Notes:
* Many Engineering software packages (SolidWorks, NI LabView) require Windows. We do not recommend Apple computers unless you have already installed Windows on them.
** All of the Engineering software packages require an Intel or AMD processor and will NOT run on ARM or M1 processors.
*** SolidWorks only certifies Nvidia Quadro graphics cards, though other options will usually perform acceptably. Intel integrated graphics will have very poor performance.
