Wright School of Business Bachelor of Business Administration Program Student Laptop Requirements
While Dalton State College does not have a blanket computer requirement, the Wright School of Business BBA program requires students to own laptops or borrow them from the library and have continuous access. Our courses use Windows-only software, such as CaseWare IDEA, Power BI, Power Query, Microsoft Visio, and Microsoft Access. Therefore, we recommend a laptop with Windows 10 or higher and do not recommend Apple or other non-Windows devices, such as Chromebooks or iPad.
Any laptops running other operating systems will need to be capable of running Windows using a suitable emulator or through dual-boot. For example, if you are a Mac user, you need to install Oracle’s VirtualBox (or Parallels) before you can install Windows 10/11 and then Microsoft Access, Visio, etc.
Recommended hardware specification for a laptop
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 or higher | Windows 10 or higher |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 – 10th gen or newer AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel Core i7 or higher AMD Ryzen 7 or higher |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB or higher |
| Storage | 256 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) | 512 GB or higher |
| Resolution | 1024 x 768 | 1920 x 1080 or higher |
Other Specs
| Graphic card | An integrated card will suffice. A Dedicated/Discrete Graphics Processing Unit (D-GPU) is not required. |
| Network card | All modern laptops have a wireless network card, and any technology will suffice. |
| Ports | HDMI output or compatible with adapters (such as USB-C). |
| Other options | A 3-year accidental warranty External hard drive for backing up data Surge protector Stable high-speed internet connection |
Library Laptop Program
Students may borrow a laptop meeting the minimum hardware requirements through the laptop loan program offered by the Roberts’ Library. To participate in this program, visit this website and complete the online form.
You will be enrolled in a waitlist and contacted once a laptop is available. Laptops must be returned by the last day of that semester’s final exam week, even if you are enrolled for the next semester. If not, you will be financially responsible for its cost. Your account will be blocked until the laptop is returned or the cost is paid.
