Technical and Scientific Communication
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
2025-26 Baseline Minimum System Requirements
For All Incoming Undergraduate Students
Platform
PC
Laptop (Chromebook not recommended)
Mac
Laptop
Operating System
Windows 11 (64-Bit)
macOS X 14 or higher
Processor Speed
Intel Core i-series (11th Gen or newer) or AMD Ryzen Series 6000 or newer
Apple M2 chip or higher
Memory (RAM)
16 GB or more (32 GB or more recommended for some majors)
16 GB or more (32 GB or more recommended for some majors)
Storage
Minimum 500 GB SSD (Solid State Drive)
Minimum 500 GB SSD (Solid State Drive)
Webcam
Built-in or external with built in microphone (headset/earbuds recommended)
Built-in or external with built in microphone (headset/earbuds recommended)
Wireless
Wi-Fi Capable
Wi-Fi Capable
Warranty
3 Year on-site service support with accident damage coverage (4 Year is highly recommended)
3 Year on-site service support, AppleCare (4 Year is highly recommended - available through certain vendors)
Software
Software Suite*
Software Suite*
*Students are required to purchase the Incoming Undergraduate Software Bundle through the Virginia Tech Software Service Center. See the Student Software Center for more information.
Included Products: Microsoft Windows Operating System with Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus
Platform: macOS and Windows
Eligibility: Valid while enrolled in undergraduate classes at Virginia Tech
Note: Office 365 Pro Plus can be downloaded and installed on up to five machines and Office mobile apps can be installed on up to five mobile devices.
Backup
Any backup method of choice including cloud-based services like Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive.
Any backup method of choice including cloud-based services like Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive.
Contact
Eve Trager
540-231-6566
etrager@vt.edu