Computer
Requirements

We recommend investing in a laptop for use in and out of the classroom. Most CCB classes that require in-class use of a computer will not occur in computer labs; thus students will need to bring their own device.

If you have not purchased a laptop yet, we recommend Windows-based computers instead of Apple, especially if you are an accounting major, because most of the software used by faculty and students is Windows-based.  If you already own a Mac laptop, you can use that, though realize some software you will need to run through a “Virtual Desktop” (i.e., web-browser interface into a WSU server that runs the software).  Any tablet with wifi and a web browser (e.g., Chrome tablet) also can run Virtual Desktop.  Also, Mac users can run Windows-based software natively by using Bootcamp  — or a third-party product like Parallels, VMWare Fusion, or VirtualBox — to run Windows 10 or 11.

Minimum laptop specifications:

• Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB Hard Drive
• 6 hours of battery life
• Wifi standard (min 5mb/s)
• If running Virtual Desktop or accessing course materials from home, then internet connection speed of 5-15 mb/s
• Windows 10 or Mac OS 10.14 (or higher)

Recommended laptop specifications:

• Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor
• 16GB RAM
• 512GB SSD Hard Drive
• 10 hours of battery life
• Wifi standard (min 5mb/s)
• If running Virtual Desktop or accessing course materials from home, then internet connection speed of 5-15 mb/s
• Windows 11 or Mac OS 10.15 (or higher)

Buy or rent

You must provide the funding for your own laptop. This gives you your choice of vendor and equipment. Depending on your circumstances, financial aid may be available.

WSU Coretech has purchase options and offers an educational discount to students: https://coretech.wsu.edu/

If purchasing a laptop is not an option, the WSU Libraries have short term rental options (4-hour, no cost), while WSU CougTech/Crimson Desk has long-term rental options (semester, plus, for cost).