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Computer Recommendations

Converse has instituted the Bring Your Own Device initiative for art majors, requiring students to bring their own computer to campus.

School of Humanities, Sciences, and Business
School of Education and Graduate Studies

For a Windows Machine:

  • Preferred Microsoft Windows 10 (64Bit)
  • Intel Core i5 Processor
    • Computers with Atom or Celeron Processors will not run some required software
  • 8GB RAM/Memory
  • 500GB Hard Drive/Storage
  • Wireless and Wired Ethernet Connection or Adapter
  • Microsoft Office 2016 or higher

For a MAC Machine:

  • Mac OS X 10.10.2 or newer
  • Intel Core i5 Processor
    • Computers with Atom or Celeron Processors will not run some required software
  • 8GB RAM/Memory
  • 512 GB Hard Drive
  • Wireless and Wired Ethernet Connection or Adapter
  • Microsoft Office 2016 or higher

School of the Arts

For a Windows Machine:

  • Preferred Microsoft Windows 10 (64Bit)
  • Intel Core i5 Processor
  • 8GB/16 GB RAM
  • 500GB Hard Drive/Storage
  • AMD Enduro or NVIDIA Optimus discrete graphics card
  • Wireless and Wired Ethernet Connection or Adapter
  • Microsoft Office 2016 or higher

For a MAC Machine:

  • Mac OS X 10.10.2 or newer
  • Intel Core i5 Processor
  • 8GB/16GB RAM
  • 512 GB Hard Drive*
  • Wireless and Wired Ethernet Connection or Adapter
  • Microsoft Office 2016 or higher

*For Interior Design students, drive must include room for 100 GB or more for Windows partition for classes requiring software only provided for Windows

What software is needed for your major?

The following software lists are provided for the purposes of helping you choose the right computer. If you know what your major will be at Converse, considering the specs needed to run the software in these lists will ensure you have the appropriate computer for success at Converse.  Note: we recommend you do not purchase the software until after you are on campus and instructed to do so by your major advisor.

Is your computer ready for life on a college campus?

All network devices are required to be registered through the Bradford Network scan in order to work on campus.  In order to pass through this scan, you need to make sure your computer meets all of the following requirements:

  1. A fully updated Operating System
    • If you are running a Windows machine, make sure you have all of the service packs and updates.  Note: If it has been a while since you have last performed updates on your computer, it may take some time and a couple of reboots before it is finished.
  2. An Anti-Virus Program
    • Make sure you only have one Anti-Virus on your computer because if you have two or more, they may block each other. Instead of having two Anti-Virus programs on your computer it will be as if you do not have any.
    • Windows 10 Machines come with Microsoft Defender Antivirus.  This is an allowed Virus Protection.
    • Make sure your computer is clean of Viruses, Trojans, and Malware before attempting to register your computer on our network.  If you do not have an Anti-Virus program on your computer, you can download one from the following links:
  3. Make sure you have no P2P (Peer to Peer) software installed on your computer

When you first use the internet, on that machine, on campus, you will be re-directed to our network registration page.  Follow the instructions and you should be good to go, if your computer meets all of the above requirements.  If you have any difficulties feel free to bring your computer to the Campus Technology office, on 3rd floor Kuhn, and we will do our best to assist you with the issue you are having.