Be sure to review the minimum and recommended requirements below so that the laptop you choose is the right one for your schoolwork.
Purchasing Options
Both Apple and Windows laptops can be purchased from the WashU Campus Store’s e-commerce site, which can ship your order.
WashU requires that you purchase a three-year warranty with your laptop. Learn More.
School-Specific Notes
Olin offers a virtual computer lab to access additional software. Visit the Olin website for more information.
Note on Apple M1: Olin does not recommend students purchase Macs with Apple Silicon/M1 at this time
Windows
| Feature | University Minimum Requirements | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | +i5 or AMD equivalent | i5 or i7 |
| RAM | 8 GB minimum | +8 GB |
| Graphics | n/a | n/a |
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Hard Drive | 256 GB SSD | +256 GB SSD |
| Display | n/a | n/a |
| Connectivity | wireless | Wireless Ethernet |
| Other | Webcam+mic | +8 GB USB flash drive |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 year w/onsite |
Mac
| Feature | University Minimum Requirements | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | +i5 or Apple Silicon (M1) | i5 or i7 Note on M1: Olin does not recommend students purchase Macs with Apple Silicon/M1 at this time |
| RAM | 8 GB | + 8 GB |
| Graphics | n/a | n/a |
| OS | Currently supported macOS version | most recent mac OS version |
| Hard Drive | 256 GB SSD | + 250 GB SSD |
| Display | n/a | n/a |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless Ethernet |
| Ports | Two USB-C Webcam+mic | webcam+mic |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years minimum |
| Notes | Does not recommend students purchase Macs with Apple Silicon/M1 at this time |