Dell University
Discounts are available on a wide selection of Dell products.
- Member ID: US22786853
- Phone: 800.695.8133
Buying a Computer
Choosing the Right Computer for College
A reliable laptop is one of the most useful tools you'll bring to campus. Whether you're heading into your first year or upgrading before a program that asks more of your machine, this page walks you through what to look for, the specs we recommend, and where to find student discounts once you're ready to buy.
If you already have a computer you like, you're likely in good shape. Check the recommendations below to be sure it can handle the software your courses use, and reach out to the Help Desk anytime with questions.
Computer Recommendations
For full-time students, a laptop is strongly recommended over a Chromebook.
FSC students have Microsoft Office available online through their @mocs account at no additional cost.
Please note:
In on-campus housing, connect printers using a USB cable rather than over the wireless network. Before buying personal assistant devices, smart TVs, and similar products, check with FSC ITS for recommendations on what works on our on-campus network.
Recommended Specs
| Component/Software | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 11 | OS X 14 Sonoma |
| Processor Speed | Intel Core i5 12th gen or higher (or AMD equivalent) | Apple M1 or higher |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| RAM | 16 GB or higher | 16 GB or higher |
| Browser | Chromium-based browser (Chrome, Edge, Brave) | Chromium-based browser (Chrome, Edge, Brave) |
| Productivity Software | Microsoft Office | Office Suite for Mac |
Hardware Requirements for Architecture Students
Architecture students have more demanding software needs. We recommend purchasing your laptop before the start of your second semester. Here are the minimum and recommended specifications:
Minimum Specs
- Operating System:Windows 11(64-bit)
- Processor (CPU):Intel Core i7(13th Gen or newer)or AMD Ryzen 7(7000 series or newer)
- Graphics (GPU):NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 / 4060 Ti(8 GB+ VRAM)or equivalent
- Memory (RAM):32 GB preferred(16 GB minimum)
- Storage:1 TB SSD(NVMe preferred)
- Display:15.6" or larger, Full HD(1920x1080), 100% sRGB
- Cooling:Adequate airflow or thermal performance
- Ports:At least 1 USB-C, multiple USB-A, HDMI or DisplayPort
Recommended Specs
(Ideal for advanced rendering and multitasking)
- CPU:Intel Core i9-13900H / 14900H or AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX / 8945HS
- GPU:NVIDIA RTX 4080 / 4070 Ti or better(12-16 GB VRAM)
- RAM:64 GB DDR5
- Storage:2 TB NVMe SSD
- Display:17" QHD or 4K UHD, factory-calibrated, 100% sRGB or AdobeRGB
- Ports:Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, USB-A, DisplayPort, SD Card Reader
Student Discounts
Once you're ready to buy, college students can save through several academic discount programs. You may want to wait until you've enrolled, since some discounts require an FSC email address or proof of enrollment to verify eligibility. Check the vendors below for current pricing and ordering instructions.
Apple Store for Education
Discounts are available on your favorite Apple products.
- Click "Select your college" in the zip code field
- Enter 33801 and choose Florida Southern
OnTheHub: Software Discounts
Purchases can be made through the FSC Campus Agreement at significant discounts. Use your FSC email account or the "Submit Proof" button on the site to verify eligibility.
Additional Resources
Get in Touch
Questions about discounts or what to buy? We're here to help.
