Technology is an essential tool for your college experience. While the final decision depends on your major and personal preferences, your primary device needs to handle daily coursework, campus Wi-Fi, online learning platforms (like Canvas), and productivity applications.

Choosing Your Primary Device

Laptops (Recommended)

A modern laptop is the most flexible and reliable choice for college work. Whether you prefer a PC or a Mac, we recommend a device no more than three to four years old to ensure reliable performance, battery life, and compatibility with campus networks.

Recommended Hardware Specifications

• PC Operating System: Windows 11 (64-bit)

• Mac Operating System: macOS 14 (Sonoma) or newer

• Memory (RAM): 16 GB minimum (essential for smooth multitasking and software demands)

• Processor (CPU):

• PC: Intel Core i5/i7 (12th Gen or newer / Core Ultra) or AMD Ryzen 5/7

• Mac: Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4, or newer). Older Intel-based Macs are no longer recommended.

• Storage: 256 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) minimum (512 GB SSD recommended)

• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ac or 802.11ax) supporting WPA2/WPA3 Enterprise

• Webcam & Audio: Built-in HD webcam and microphone for video conferencing and online coursework

What About Tablets?

A tablet (like an iPad or Surface) paired with a Bluetooth keyboard and stylus is great for digital note-taking, reading e-textbooks, and light web tasks. However, tablets often run into limitations with specialized academic software, file management, and online exam proctoring tools. We recommend a tablet as a supplemental device rather than your sole computer for college.

What About Chromebooks?

Chromebooks are not recommended as your primary device. While useful for web-based tasks, ChromeOS cannot run many required desktop applications, offline tools, or course-specific proctoring software.

Campus IT FAQ

Are there computer labs on campus?

Yes! Hastings College provides computer labs across campus equipped with specialized software, high-performance desktop machines, and printing capabilities.

Can the IT Helpdesk repair my personal computer?

Our IT Helpdesk is happy to assist with network setup, campus software installation, account issues, and basic troubleshooting. However, staff cannot perform physical repairs on personal devices. We strongly encourage purchasing extended manufacturer warranties or coverage (such as AppleCare+ or PC protection plans).

How does account security (Duo 2FA) work?

Hastings College uses Duo Two-Factor Authentication to protect student accounts. You will need a smartphone or secondary Wi-Fi device with the Duo Mobile app to sign in to campus systems. If you do not have a smartphone, hardware authentication tokens are available through the IT Department.

What software is provided by the college?

• Google Workspace for Education: Provides your official HC student email, Google Calendar, Drive, Docs, and cloud storage.

• Microsoft 365: Free downloadable access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams for all active students.

• Course-Specific Software: Specialized majors (e.g., media production, graphic design, business, or sciences) may require specific software packages. Check your course syllabus or required materials list before the semester starts.

Questions?

If you have questions about technology requirements or specific needs for your major, contact the Hastings College IT Helpdesk at helpdesk@hastings.edu.