Technology Requirements
Students are required to have a laptop computer and a mobile device (i.e. cell phone at the minimum) that can support the software and resources used by the Baylor OTD program.1 Students are required to bring their laptop computer and mobile device to the onsite OTD Program Orientation.
Laptop Computer
The minimum system requirements for a PC or Mac laptop computer are listed below. System performance (processing speed and available RAM) will vary based upon installed software, actively running software/applications, and internet speed. Therefore, each student should ensure his/her laptop, internet speed/capacity, and webcam can support the technology programs and resources used throughout the Baylor OTD Program. Though not required, a quality protective carrying case and warranty are recommended for your system.
| Windows | Mac | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3, Intel Atom x5 or faster | 4 Intel Core i3, Intel Atom x5, Apple M1 or faster |
| Display | 13-inch display (or larger recommended) | 13-inch display (or larger recommended) |
| Graphics | Intel(R) HD Graphics 520, AMD Radeon HD 6700M Series | N/A |
| Hardware | Webcam and microphone required External (USB) webcam recommended | Webcam and microphone required External (USB) webcam recommended |
| Operating System | Windows 10 or higher | macOS 11 or higher |
| RAM2,3 | 8GB (minimum) | 8GB (minimum) |
| Hard Drive | 256GB (or larger) | 256GB (or larger) |
| Networking | Wireless: 802.11g (or higher) | Wireless: 802.11g (or higher) |
| Bandwidth | Minimum 15 Mpbs download/2 Mpbs upload speed | Minimum 15 Mpbs download/2 Mpbs upload speed |
| Software4,5 | Microsoft Office 365 Anti-Virus & Malware Software Acrobat Reader Other computer software/applications required by program5 | Microsoft Office 365 Anti-Virus & Malware Software Acrobat Reader Other computer software/applications required by program5 |
Mobile Device7
Devices that use Android or iOS operating systems are acceptable. This is a requirement due to the use of DUO two-factor authentication, which will be used for all of your Baylor-official accounts. (Please note: For the purposes of our program, Microsoft’s Surface Pro is considered a laptop rather than a mobile device due to operating system restrictions. If you are considering a Surface Pro for use as a laptop, please see minimum computer requirements above.)
Please see below for example products:
- Android: Example products include phones and tablets from Acer, ASUS, Google, HTC, and Samsung. Android operating system version 8.0 or newer required.
- Apple: Example products include the iPhone and iPad of various generations. iOS version 13.0 or newer required.
- Mobile broadband capability for the mobile device is suggested to provide an internet connection when a local wireless network is not available.
Notes:
- Students are required to have the laptop computer and mobile device with them when attending the OTD Program Orientation.
- Though these are the minimum expected tech requirements, you are welcome to have a more powerful machine/network connection if you prefer. As a general rule, the two primary parts of a computer which are most important to its performance (for running the applications we will be using in this program) are your CPU and RAM. Upgrading these two, especially your CPU, will most often see the most noticeable performance increases. As this is a hybrid program, having a higher-speed internet connection may also be beneficial to you.
- Many students find 8GB of RAM sufficient, other students may not. This depends on the other resources on your laptop which compete for RAM use. Many of our technology applications require at least 2 GB of your total RAM to be free for proper function. This 2GB of free RAM should be considered the minimum, as several of the programs will be used concurrently. Here is a list of individuals programs and their support requirements for your review:
- Canvas – This is for the full Canvas web version. Students may choose to substitute with the Canvas App on their mobile device at times but should note the Canvas App does not have the same functionality as the full Canvas web version. The program builds resources as per the full Canvas web version.
- Respondus LockDown Browser – This browser is supported by Baylor and is used for proctoring during online examinations. More information about Respondus LockDown Browser can be found here.
- Zoom – This program will be used for synchronous class sessions, and for various faculty meetings with students.
- These resources can be utilized to check your laptop status:
- RAM availability and hard drive capacity (as per your computer manufacturer and/or operating system)
- Improving PC performance for Windows 10
- Internet speed (based on home internet service provider access, wired or Wi-Fi). The use of hot spots is not recommended.
- Follow the recommendations from your computer manufacturer for periodic maintenance, removal of temporary internet files, clearing web browser cache, etc.
- Software is required that enables viewing and editing frequently used file types including Microsoft files (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and portable document files (PDFs). Even while using the most compatible applications, some software and applications may not be fully compatible with all hardware and across all platforms. In these situations where incompatibility results, it is the student’s responsibility to view any required files utilizing compatible hardware.
- Microsoft Office and Anti-Virus software are available to Baylor University students at no cost at the Baylor Informational Technology Services website. You will have access to this site after you are accepted into the program. Adobe Reader is free to download from the internet.
- A variety of mobile device applications are required for use throughout the program. Students may access these applications from their platform of choice. Tablets, iPads and mobile devices cannot be used for online computer-based testing.