*excludes students entering the New Jersey School of Architecture, who have separate requirements."
- Dual-core Intel processor (Core 2 Duo or greater preferred) (desktop)
- Intel Centrino or greater w/ 802.11g wireless connectivity (dual-core or greater preferred) (notebook)
- 2 GBs RAM (both notebook and desktop, recommend room to expand in desktop)
- 128 MB graphics card, dedicated RAM (256 MB or greater preferred)
- 80 GB SATA Hard drive
- DVD -/+ RW drive (data backup and transfer)
- 19” color monitor - desktop / 14" display for notebooks
- Keyboard and mouse
- 10/100 network card (3Com or Intel recommended)
- Windows Vista Capable
What do you mean by “baseline specifications”?
If your computer meets or exceed the specifications listed above, it should be able to run the software included in the NJIT software bundle during your first academic year. A computer configured exactly to the baseline specifications listed above may require upgrades or even a replacement after your first academic year. We list our specifications in this manner because we recognize incoming students may have recently purchased a computer and we would like you to be able to use it for some time.
If I were to purchase a computer for use at NJIT in fall 2008 from outside of the NJIT-Dell Partnership Program, what specifications should I follow?
The baseline specifications above will be adequate for your first academic year. However, hardware support for computers not purchased through the NJIT-Dell partnership program is the sole responsibility of the owner. NJIT recommends you purchase a Dell computer through our partnership program (more info), as these computers are designed to last up to four years, and are available at a significant discount to NJIT students. Computers purchased through the NJIT-Dell partnership program come preloaded with the NJIT software bundle, and are eligible for on-campus hardware and software support.
What about AMD-based computers?
If you want to use an AMD processor, NJIT strongly recommends at least a dual-core Athlon for a desktop, and at least a dual-core Turion for a laptop. Duron and Sempron processors are not acceptable for use at NJIT.
Please note that none of the NJIT-configured Dell computers come equipped with AMD processors, and as such you will be limiting the amount of support we can offer you.
What about Apple Macintosh computers?
Since recent Apple Macintosh computers are equipped with Intel Core or better processors, NJIT has recognized that these machines can meet our minimum specifications. Please follow the above specifications when choosing an acceptable Macintosh computer. In particular, pay special attention to the dedicated graphics card, as many of the consumer-level Macintosh computers do not have a dedicated graphics card. Acceptable Macintosh models include most iMac desktops, all MacBook Pro notebooks, and all Mac Pro workstations. Mac mini desktops and MacBook notebooks are not equipped with dedicated video, and are not acceptable for use at NJIT.
Even though Macintosh computers with PowerPC processors came equipped with dedicated video memory, these models are now out-of-date and will soon be unsupported by Apple. Therefore, they are not suitable for use at NJIT.
Much of the technical software students will use at NJIT is made for Windows-based operating systems. In order to use these software titles, you will be required to install Windows on your Macintosh. NJIT does not provide support for the installation of Windows on a Macintosh computer. You are solely responsible for installing, configuring, and supporting the operating system yourself.
Please note that by not choosing one of the NJIT-configured Dell computers, you will be limiting the amount of support we can offer you.
Does NJIT provide support if I choose to use my own computer?
No. You are solely responsible for any software installations and assuring that the drivers for your various components work properly with the software. ACS staff members will provide full support for NJIT-licensed software only to students who purchase a computer from the NJIT-Dell partnership program.
Academic Computing Services staff members can assist you with issues you may have with the installation. However, if any issues are determined to be a result of your hardware configuration, ACS cannot provide support. NJIT-licenced software is available in multiple ways, depending on the nature of licensing with the software vendor. You may have to borrow the CD or DVD from the library, or you may have the ability to download the software - instructions for which you will receive during Connections Miniversity, NJIT's freshman orientation program held during summer 2008. Software distribution terms vary among software vendors.
What do you mean by "Vista Capable"?
NJIT plans to release Windows Vista to the academic and research communities at NJIT before fall 2008. Eventually, NJIT will transition fully to the Vista operating system. In order to ensure the smoothest possible transition, NJIT recommends all newly purchased PCs be capable of running Windows Vista, but installed with Windows XP Professional. NJIT has posted the minimum hardware requirements for Windows Vista here. Note that the Vista hardware requirements may differ from the baseline specifications listed above. Please refer to whichever specifications are greater when purchasing your PC. All computers listed in the NJIT-Dell partnership are Vista capable, but ship with Windows XP Professional.
Please note that when purchasing a computer with Windows Vista preinstalled, the manufacturer may not have hardware drivers available for Windows XP. For example, if you install Windows XP on a computer which shipped with Windows Vista, your audio driver may not function properly. For this reason, NJIT strongly recommends incoming freshmen purchase PCs with Windows XP Professional preinstalled, such as the PCs offered through the NJIT-Dell partnership program.
My processor is a Celeron/Atom/Duron/Sempron, and my machine is labeled as "Vista Capable." Is this still acceptable?
No. Although some of Intel's Celeron and Atom, and AMD's Duron and Sempron processors are considered to be "Vista Capable" by Microsoft, they are unable to run the advanced engineering, design, and mathematical software that NJIT students may be required to use in a technical university curriculum. They do not meet our minimum specifications.
I still have additional questions. Who can I contact?
Questions may be e-mailed to compreq@njit.edu. You may also call the IST Computing Helpdesk at (973) 596-2900.
Questions may be e-mailed to compreq@njit.edu.
View the Computer Requirement for Previous Years:
