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Each online course has minimum hardware requirements. These standards are determined by the technology used to deliver course content. Courses using a lot of audio and video materials require better hardware than those relying solely on text-based materials.

Most institutions have a web page where they display the minimum and recommended hardware requirements. If, after a few minutes of searching, you’re unable to find the computer requirements page on an institution’s or organization’s website, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call them to ask. A good program also provides a list of minimum requirements and a list of additional hardware and software you might encounter when learning from them. Otherwise, once you start a course, your instructor will provide you with a list of any additional requirements that go above and beyond the organization’s advertised list.

Table 3-1 shows an example of what you might see on an institution’s computer requirements page. The columns note different types of hardware and the requirements for both PCs and Macs. Most computers two years old or newer meet these requirements.

TABLE 3-1 An Example of Hardware Requirements

Hardware	PCs — Windows	Macs	Chromebook
Processor	2 or more GHz	Dual-core Intel i5 or better	Intel Core m3 processor or better
RAM (random access memory)	4–8GB	4–8GB	4–8GB
Hard drive	256GB	256GB	32GB minimum
Monitor resolution	1024 x 768	1024 x 768	1024 x 768
Speakers	Sound card with headphones or external speakers	Sound card with headphones or external speakers	Sound card with headphones or external speakers
Microphone	Required in order to attend instructors’ virtual office hours; a headset with microphone is highly recommended.	Required in order to attend instructors’ virtual office hours; a headset with microphone is highly recommended.	Required in order to attend instructors’ virtual office hours; a headset with microphone is highly recommended.
Webcam (optional)	720p	720p	720p

As we introduce different hardware components in the following sections, keep in mind that this information is simply an overview. Each operating system uses its own navigation method to find information, so as we talk about whether your computer meets certain requirements, you may need to reference your computer’s manual or an additional resource to help you determine how to locate needed information. We suggest looking into other For Dummies books specific to your computer — you can peruse available titles at www.dummies.com/store.html.

If you plan on purchasing a new computer in order to take an online class, check with the institution to see whether you can purchase the computer at a discounted price. Many institutions have deals with computer manufacturers to provide their students with discounted hardware and software. For example, several schools use Microsoft 365, which is an online version of Microsoft Office Suite. As a part of this arrangement, students can often download a free, desktop version of the software to their personal computer while they are enrolled. If the institution doesn’t offer discounts, you should still find out its minimum requirements before making a purchase. It’s a good idea to print out the minimum requirements and take the printout with you to the retail store of your choice. Doing so can help the salesperson guarantee that you purchase a computer to meet your educational needs. If you have a student ID, take it with you and ask whether the store offers a student discount as well.