All students admitted to the BYU Marriott School of Business are required to own a business-class laptop. Netbooks or tablets will not meet the minimum computing requirements outlined below.
The following are the minimum laptop requirements for new BYU Marriott students:
| Hardware/Software | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro 64-bit |
| Required Software | Microsoft 365 (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Access) – Free for BYU students Adobe Reader Antivirus software with a current license Additional software may be required depending on the courses taken |
| Processor | Intel i5/i7 13th Gen minimum, Ultra 5/Ultra 7 Preferred |
| Memory | 8 GB minimum (at least 16 GB is recommended) |
| Hard Disk | 256 GB SSD minimum (at least 512 GB is recommended) |
| Graphics | Integrated Graphics is adequate in almost all cases |
| Audio | Built-in speakers |
| Networking | 5 GHz capable (essentially all new laptops meet this requirement) |
| Ports | 1 HDMI/DisplayPort or a HDMI adapter (HDMI is often used in classrooms) |
| Display | 13″ minimum display 1920 X 1080 or better recommended |
| Battery | 5 hour battery life or better |
Operating Systems and Software
BYU Marriott has standardized on the MS Windows and MS 365 platforms. If you would like to purchase a non-Windows computer, please be advised that some courses require applications or functions (in applications such as Excel) that will not work outside of a Windows Environment. Students without a Windows machine will be on their own to find a solution to complete coursework that does not have a non-Windows workaround. These solutions may include purchasing a new computer, renting a computer or building a VM (Virtual Machine) using Parallels or similar product. No BYU Marriott support will be available to set up a VM or alternative solution and students will be responsible for any associated costs; therefore, it is strongly recommended that students come with a business-class laptop that runs Windows natively.
All student PCs are required to be capable of and run a supported version of their operating system.
You will use Microsoft 365 applications extensively throughout the program. Microsoft 365 is free for all BYU students.
BYU Wireless Access
Students who want to use BYU wireless access on campus are required to:
- Have a wireless card that connects to the 5.0 GHz range
- Have an up-to-date antivirus program installed on their laptop
- Keep their Windows operating system up to date with the latest security patches from Microsoft
- Obtain administrative rights on their laptop so that software and patches can be installed as needed
Purchasing Aids and Ideas
The specifications above can easily be met by a laptop that costs less than $1,000. Computers that meet the minimum requirements are sold at local stores, including warehouses such as Costco or Sam’s Club. There are also many online retailers, such as Dell, HP, Sony, ASUS, Gateway, and Lenovo, where a laptop can be purchased.
You may also find current offers from the BYU Bookstore’s Cougar Technology Department.
Free Cloud Storage (Box)
BYU gives you unlimited cloud storage in Box for as long as you are a student. With this program you can edit Microsoft 365 or Google Drive files on any device. Simply click the link below and sign in with your BYU Net ID (format: netid@byu.edu) and password to get started.
Note: This policy is updated annually. Students entering the BYU Marriott School of Business with a laptop meeting the minimum requirements should not need to upgrade during their program.
Date Updated: 11 February 2019