Computer Recommendations for Students

Creation date: 7/28/2020 2:02 PM    Updated: 7/29/2023 11:15 AM

Computer Recommendations for Students Attending Brenau University


The university recognizes that each student will have different needs and resources based on the classes they will be taking. Because each student's needs are different there is no one "best" computer for all needs. Instead, the university provides recommendations based on what a student is likely to need to be successful in their classes over the course of their degree. Please note that all recommendations are based on laptops, as we find that most students prefer laptops to desktops for reasons of portability. Desktops with equal or better specifications can also be used.  


High-end Graphics Computers (Performance)

The University Recommends High-end Graphics Computers for the following areas of study:

  • Fashion Design

  • Fashion Merchandising

  • Fine Arts Education

  • Interior Design

  • Any Degree or combination of degrees that requires CAD design, or lots of video or image creation and editing.


There are differences between gaming computers and graphics computers, and the University recommends that students get graphics computers with dedicated Nvidia Quadro Graphics cards.


Recommended minimum specifications for a high-end graphic design computer are:

  • i7 Processor, Generation 9 or 10, 2.6 Ghz with Turbo Boost, and 6 cores. 

  • Nvidia Quadro T1000 with 4 GB dedicated graphics RAM, equivalent or better. 

  • 32 GB system RAM 

  • 1 TB NVMe M.2 Storage

  • Webcam

  • Windows 11

  • 15-inch screen or larger, with 1920 X 1080 resolution or higher, Anti-Glare with 300 nits or higher. 

  • 4 year manufacturer warranty (to last the length of your degree)


Mid Level computer with advanced graphics capabilities (Mainstream)

The University Recommends a Mid Level computer with advanced graphics capabilities for the following areas of study:

  • Accounting

  • Business

  • Communication

  • Computer Science

  • Conflict Resolution

  • Costuming for Film & Theater

  • Dance

  • Finance

  • Healthcare

  • Administration

  • Leadership & Management

  • Marketing

  • Strategic Thinking & Innovation

  • Theatre

  • Theatre Design & Technology


There are differences between gaming computers and graphics computers, and the University recommends that students get graphics computers with dedicated Nvidia Quadro Graphics cards.


Recommended minimum specifications for a mid level computer with advanced graphics capabilities are:

  • 9th or 10th Generation i7 Processor at 1.80 GHz with Turbo Boost, and 4 or more cores

  •  NVIDIA Quadro P520 2GB dedicated graphics RAM, equivalent or better.

  • 16 GB system RAM 

  • 512 GB Solid State Drive

  • Webcam

  • Windows 11

  • 14-inch screen or larger, with 1920 X 1080 resolution or higher, Anti-Glare with 250 nits or higher. 

  • 4 year manufacturer warranty (to last the length of your degree)


Basic Entry Level Computer (Budget)

The University Recommends a Basic Entry Level computer for the following areas of study:

  • Acting 

  • Applied Gerontology 

  • Biology, Education 

  • English 

  • Exercise Science 

  • General Studies 

  • Health Science

  • Health Services

  • History & Political Science

  • Liberal Studies

  • Music

  • Music Education

  • Musical Theater

  • Nursing

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Physical Therapy

  • Psychology


Basic Entry Level computers are not low-end budget computers, but are computers used by professionals that don't have high processing or graphics demands. They are mostly used for office type software, basic applications, and web browsers.


The recommended minimum specifications for a basic entry level computer are:

  • 9th or 10th Generation i5 Processor at 1.60 GHz with Turbo Boost, and 4 or more cores, or AMD Ryzen 5 Pro

  •  8 GB system RAM 

  • 256 GB Solid State Drive

  • Webcam

  • Windows 11

  • 14-inch screen or larger, with at least  1920 X 1080 resolution, Anti-Glare with 250 nits or higher. 

  • 4 year manufacturer warranty (to last the length of your degree)

In order to make things easier, Brenau has coordinated with Dell.com (one of our vendors) to pre-select some laptops that meet each of these tiers.  Please see https://dell.com/brenau to see those computers. 
Help Files for Personal and Brenau Computers