Recommended Computer Specifications & OIT Supported Software
Recommended Computer Specifications & OIT Supported Software
Faculty and staff: Visit the Duke Technology Center website to learn about the Duke Computer Program standards, which offer standardized computer models at educational pricing through preferred vendors. Please work with your local IT support to propose and submit your departmental order through Buy@Duke.
Students: Duke’s partnerships with major vendors allow students to purchase recommended computers at educational pricing. Students who purchase through the Duke Technology Center may also have access to warranty repair support and loaner options while on campus. Visit the Duke Technology Center for current offerings. If you choose to bring your own computer instead of purchasing through the Duke Technology Center, we strongly recommend that your system meet the specifications below.
Recommended Computer Specifications
| Feature | Minimum Recommended | Preferred | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Current Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 / Apple Silicon equivalent | Current Intel Core i7 or better / AMD Ryzen 7 or better / Apple Silicon with upgraded performance tier | Students in technical, engineering, research, media, or data-heavy programs should confirm any program-specific hardware requirements. |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB | More memory is strongly recommended for virtualization, large datasets, creative applications, and multitasking. |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD | Solid-state storage is strongly recommended for performance and reliability. |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 6 or newer | Wi-Fi 6E or newer | Please do not bring personal wireless routers to campus, as they may interfere with Duke’s wireless environment. |
| Operating System | Current vendor-supported version of Windows or macOS | Latest vendor-supported version of Windows or macOS | Use currently supported operating systems to maintain security, software compatibility, and access to Duke services. |
| Warranty & Protection | Extended warranty with accidental damage coverage | Extended warranty with accidental damage coverage for the expected life of the device | A protective case or laptop bag is also strongly recommended. |
| Productivity Software | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft 365 | Duke provides access to Microsoft 365 and other software through software.duke.edu. |
Repair Support
The Duke Technology Center provides repair support for many devices purchased through the Duke Technology Center. Students who purchased through the DTC may also have access to loaner devices while repairs are in progress. Students can access support through the OIT Service Desk at The Link in Perkins Library.
OIT Supported Software
OIT supports a variety of software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Available software, eligibility, and support levels may change as vendor support changes. For the most current software offerings, visit the OIT Software Licensing page or the Software Catalog.
Support Levels
| Code | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F | Full Support | Every effort is made to resolve technical issues quickly. OIT maintains strong functional knowledge of the product. |
| L | Limited Support | Reasonable effort is made to assist, but support may be more limited in scope or depth. |
| R | Recommended for Students | Recommended for student use. Departmental users should work with their local IT support for departmental standards. |
Recommended Software Categories
Operating Systems
- R / F: Current vendor-supported versions of Windows
- R / F: Current vendor-supported versions of macOS
- L: Current supported Linux distributions as needed for academic or research use
Web Browsers
- R / F: Google Chrome (current version)
- R / F: Mozilla Firefox (current version)
- R / F: Microsoft Edge (current version)
- R / F: Safari on supported macOS versions
Email, Calendar, and Communication
- R / F: Outlook on the web via mail.duke.edu
- R / F: Microsoft Outlook for Windows and macOS
- R / F: Outlook for Mobile
- L: Apple Mail on supported macOS versions
- F: Jabber, where applicable
- F: Microsoft Teams
File Storage and Printing
- R / F: Duke Box
- R / F: OneDrive for Business
- R / F: ePrint
- R / F: CIFS home directories, where applicable
Security Software
- R / L: Microsoft Defender
- R / F: Duke Unlock
- R / L: 1Password
- R / F: Duo Multi-Factor Authentication
- L: Malwarebytes for personal machines only
Productivity and Collaboration
- R / F: Microsoft 365 Apps
- R / F: Microsoft 365 on the web
- F: Microsoft Teams
- L: Microsoft Planner
Remote Access
- R / F: Cisco Secure Client VPN
- R / L: OpenConnect VPN Client (Linux)
- R / F: Microsoft Remote Desktop
- L: XQuartz / X-Win32 / Apple Remote Desktop, where applicable
Common Desktop Software
- R / L: Adobe Acrobat Reader
- L: Adobe Creative Cloud
- L: 7-Zip or equivalent archive utility
- F/L: PuTTY, WinSCP, Cyberduck, Terminal, and native OpenSSH tools as appropriate
Duke Applications and Services
- R / F: Canvas
- R / F: DukeHub / SISS, as applicable
- R / F: Zoom
- F: Support@Duke
- F: Perceptive Content, where applicable
- F: SAP, where applicable
Additional Resources
Article number: KB0025071
Valid to: March 26, 2027