Student Services

Basic Computer Requirements & Skills

Purchasing a New Computer

For students purchasing a new computer, we recommend that your computer meet or exceed these university specifications. Depending on your computing needs, a computer you purchase today may not meet your needs for your entire tenure at NC State. A computer with greater capability (processor speed, RAM, disk capacity) and expandability will be more likely to continue to run the software you require.

Already Own a Computer

A computer from home will be perfectly adequate if it can run current software and use the campus network. Using an older computer often allows a student to delay the purchase of a new one and better determine personal needs. However, depending on the situation, an older computer may not be usable for more than a year. Your current computer should meet or (preferably) exceed these minimum university requirements.

For Colleges & Programs

Many colleges have specific requirements and recommendations. Be sure to check these out!

You will need to perform the following basic internet skills while taking a Distance Education Course. You should test your capabilities for these functions prior to the start of the semester:

Access your Unity account
Find the NC State web site
Use e-mail through the Internet
Open an e-mail window
Send an e-mail message
Use a search engine
Make hotlink connections (mouse click on icons and blue underlined text)
Open, enter, and post to the discussion group
Cut and paste between word-processing software, e-mail, and the web

If you are experiencing difficulties with the above tasks, you may want to contact a computer expert for suggestions in developing these skills or fixing any computer problem. You may also contact:

North Carolina State University Computer Services Information Center
Hillsborough Building - Room 208
(on Hillsborough St. across from D.H. Hill Library)

Phone: (919) 515-HELP (4357)
E-mail: help@ncsu.edu
http://www.ncsu.edu/it/essentials/your_unity_account/get_started.html