Minimum Computer Specifications:
We are often asked what computer specs are needed for today's home or work computer environment.
So we have decided to put it down in short form for everyone's information:
Minimum MAIN Computer Specs as of Spring 2018:
Operating System (OS): Windows 10, 64-bit (highly recommended)
Processor: Intel Core i5 / 7th generation or higher (i.e. Intel Core i7)
Memory / RAM: 8 GB or more
Hard Drive: We HIGHLY recommended a Solid State Drive as it has NO moving parts.
This makes it faster and more durable than a regular hard drive.
The size of the hard drive depends on your data needs, but typically a hard drive should be
about 256GB SSD (or) 512GB in size
Below are a couple of good examples of inexpensive computers with good minimum specs as per above:
Laptop : Dell i5567-5274GRY 15.6” Laptop Computer (Intel i5, 256 GB SSD, 8 GB, Windows 10, Intel® HD graphics 620)
Laptop: Dell Inspiron 15 5584 i5584-7773SLV 15.6" Laptop Computer, Intel® Core™ i7-8565U, 12GB Memory
Desktop: Dell OptiPlex 3060 KM82W Desktop Computer, Intel Core i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, Windows 10 Pro
- (Optional Monitor ... 23.8" Inexpensive Acer Monitor suggestion if a monitor is needed)
All-In-One : Dell OptiPlex 7460 60NX0 All-in-One Computer, Intel Core i7-8700, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, Windows 10 Pro
There are many other specifications you can look at for when deciding on buying a computer, but the specs listed above are the most important ones to consider. Other personal items such as screen size; CPU size; computer look and feel; the option of a CD/DVD drive;
optional Memory Card Reader; computer weight, battery life (for a laptop), Graphics Card for video intensive applications,
Warranty, built-in camera, wireless capability, Bluetooth capability, number of (USB) ports etc.
As with many things in life, please remember the golden rule for buying computers:
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!