New Students
New Students
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I am a New Flexible Format Student
Resources for flexible format students as you begin your classes off-campus. >>
Computers are a required component of the current higher education environment. There are two primary types of computers (Windows and Mac), with two secondary options (chrome books and Linux computers). At Wheaton, (unless you are in the Computer Science major) you will be best served with coming with a Windows or Mac laptop. The choice between the two is personal, and should be based on your familiarity from past computer use. With that said, the recommendations below are focused on technical specifications rather than choosing a vendor, make or model.
These recommendations are based on purchasing a new general-purpose computer that will be kept for at least four years of college.
Memory: Recommended 16 gigabytes (GB) of memory, also known as RAM. More memory can be beneficial if video or picture editing might happen, but for a solid machine, 16GB is good.
Storage: The storage of the laptop should be 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD) or larger. You may find a used laptop with a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), but it is best to avoid HDD's, since they are many times slower than a solid state drive. Larger drives, such as 512GB or 1 terabyte (TB), could be useful when editing video or pictures.
Processor CPU): This is likely the most confusing aspect of the technical specifications. If you are selecting a Mac, Apple controls which processors they use, so any new Mac will use an Apple M-series chip. For Windows machines, the choices fall between Intel and AMD. Both use a general category naming convention like Ryzen 3, 5, 7, 9, or Intel Core i3, i5, i7, i9. This helps to identify entry-level (3,i3), Mainstream Laptops (5, i5), high-performance and gaming laptops (7, i7), and mobile workstations (9, i9). The second consideration is the generation of the chip. Intel's latest generation chip is 14 as of early 2026. AMD's latest generation chip is Zen 6, as of early 2026. They usually increase in by 1 each year, though naming conventions are often confusing and sometimes even counterintuitive. Both AMD and Intel use the beginning of the set of numbers after the 3,5,7,9 to designate the generation. For example an Intel i5 14400 chip is the 14th generation i5 chip, Or an AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850 would be the 6th generation
Warranty Coverage: Opinions vary as to the value of warranties. These opinions may be influenced by the levels of care each person gives to their equipment being covered. It is an unfortunate reality that laptops in a college setting experience a greater risk for damage and accidents than one that stays on a desk at home. Laptops are often carried to class, the dining hall, and to various study nooks scattered across campus. With this much activity, even the most careful student may experience an accidental spill or ding. Having a laptop sleeve or a bag with a dedicated cushioned section for the laptop will help mitigate this risk. If a warranty is purchased, please ensure copies of the paperwork, including how to access the offered support, are kept in easily accessible locations both at home and with the student.