Technology Requirements for LSBE

All LSBE students are required to have a laptop computer. The minimum specifications below are sufficient for courses in LSBE.

Financial Aid Note:

  • To determine if computer costs can be included in a financial aid package contact UMD One Stop.
  • The UMD Computer Corner offers significant educational discounts for laptop computers (from HP, Dell, and Apple) and software. You may also purchase your laptop from another vendor if you prefer.
  • Laptops purchased at the UMD Computer Corner are tax-free.

Laptop Specifications

Minimum:

  • Windows 10  |  Mac OS 10.15 (or newer)
  • Multi-core processor
    • Processors vary in speed and are listed differently by manufacturers, so an Intel or AMD multi-core processor faster than 1.2GHz, or currently sold model will be fine.
  • 250 GB or larger hard drive
  • At least 8 GB RAM
  • Wifi connectivity
  • Web camera

Please Note: At this point, Chromebooks do not yet have the capabilities to replace the functions and requirements of a traditional Windows laptop or MacBook.

Recommended:

  • HDMI external display adapter (if needed for classroom presentations)
  • 3-4 year warranty service agreement
  • Accidental Damage Plan or Insurance (available for laptops purchased at the UMD Computer Corner)

Marketing and Graphic Design Majors Requirement:
Marketing and Graphic Design majors MUST purchase the computer configuration required by the Art and Design Department at the College of Liberal Arts standards, NOT the standard computer configuration for LSBE (as listed above). Visit the UMD Bookstore/Computer Corner to purchase Adobe Creative Cloud software.

Additional Information for Mac Users
Several LSBE courses require applications not available on a Mac operating system (e.g. Microsoft Access, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Visio) so students will need access to the Windows operating system. LSBE students who purchase a Mac are strongly recommended to also purchase Parallels Desktop through the University of Minnesota Kivuto Store.

Software Requirements and Resources

Office and Productivity

  • All registered University of Minnesota students can download Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus free of charge.
  • Additionally, the University provides Google Apps to all students, staff, and faculty free of charge.

Security

To protect your Windows operating system, Microsoft Security Essentials is free from Microsoft.

General

  • LSBE participates in the Azure Dev Tools for Teaching program (Formerly Microsoft Imagine). Azure Dev Tools provides all University of Minnesota students access to numerous Microsoft applications, at no cost. The courses that currently benefit from this program are: MIS 2201, MIS 3225, MIS 3222, MIS 3232, MIS 4221, MIS 4225.
  • Courses that need specialized software will have access to software available in Access Plus thought Apps4U. Students will be added to Access Plus based on course enrollment. For more information visit the Apps4U and BYOD page.
  • The statistical software package SPSS is available at no cost to LSBE students. This application is required for some LSBE courses. To download this application visit the UMD Student Software page.
  • University of Minnesota faculty and students are entitled to a Qualtrics Survey Software account. Click here to register and start taking advantage of Qualtrics.

For more information about software available via academic licensing please refer to: