Be sure to review the minimum and recommended requirements below so that the laptop you choose is the right one for your schoolwork.
Purchasing Options
Both Apple and Windows laptops can be purchased from the WashU Campus Store’s e-commerce site, which can ship your order.
WashU requires that you purchase a three-year warranty with your laptop. Learn More.
School-Specific Notes
Students should have their laptop with them when they arrive for the fall semester. If you own a laptop that was purchased in the last two years, it should be sufficient for your time at the Brown School. If your system is older than two years old, we strongly suggest you purchase a new system.
The Brown School has a separate web page listing computer requirements that goes into more detail than this site. Click the button below to view.
Note on Apple M1 and M2: The Brown school does not support Apple Silicon/M1, M2 as Windows virtualization is not available on Apple’s newest M1, or M2 process at this time.
Windows
Brown School requirements are the same as University Requirements.
| Feature | University Minimum Requirements | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel +i5 or better/ AMD equivalent | >2.2 Ghz i5 |
| RAM | 8 GB minimum | >8 GB |
| Graphics | n/a | n/a |
| OS | Windows 10 or 11 | Windows 11 |
| Hard Drive | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB or larger SSD |
| Display | n/a | n/a |
| Connectivity | Wireless | n/a |
| Ports | Webcam+mic | Dedicated external headset and mic |
| Warranty | 3 years | n/a |
| Notes | Brown School requirements are the same as University Requirements. |
Mac
Some course software may not be compatible with macOS, so you may need to purchase a Windows license and virtualization software as well.
| Feature | University Minimum Requirements | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel +i5 or Apple Silicon (M1, M2) | Intel i5 or better |
| RAM | 8 GB minimum | >8 GB |
| Graphics | n/a | n/a |
| OS | Currently supported macOS version | Most recent mac OS version |
| Hard Drive | 256 GB SSD | >256 GB SSD |
| Display | n/a | n/a |
| Connectivity | Wireless | n/a |
| Other | Webcam+mic | Dedicated external headset and mic |
| Warranty | 3 years | n/a |
| Notes | Students need to check their school-specific IT page to see if there are any program-specific limitations on Apple Silicon. | Note on Apple M1 and M2: The Brown school does not support Apple Silicon/M1, M2 as Windows virtualization is not available on Apple’s newest M1, or M2 process at this time. |