PSU Technology Guide

Welcometothe VikingFamily!

Welcome toyourfirstyearatPortlandStateUniversity! Acouple ofthingstoknow:Alanyardisa greatway to keeptrack ofyourkeysandIDcards,the bestplace to studyis actuallyViking Pavilion,andthecomputer you buyfor collegewillbe oneofthe mostimportant purchases foryourentire4years! Thisguidewillnot address thefirsttwobutitwillhelpyoumakethe right choice for yourlaptop!

Letter from The Office of Information Technology

The Office of Information Technology is here to support you through your journey at Portland State! We have provided this guide for you so that you will be informed about the technology expectations of your coursework during your time here so that you can make an educated purchase decision that will meet and exceed your expectations. We encourage you to review this guide and consider your options carefully before making a purchase. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our IT support team for assistance.

We wish you all the best as you begin this exciting new chapter in your academic journey, and we look forward to supporting you in any way we can.

Sincerely,

The Office of Information Technology

General Hardware Recommendations

Each department will have its own specific recommendations and requirements for student technology. The following should provide an introduction to what will be expected of your equipment, regardless of the department.

Processor

The minimum processor should be an Intel® Core™ i5 or Apple M1, or higher is also acceptable. A faster processor will allow for faster performance, which is especially important when using intensive applications for some coursework.

Storage

It is required for devices to have 256GB of Solid-State Storage (SSD). This will provide enough space to store all necessary files, documents, and software.

Operating System

Windows is the most commonly used operating system in most college settings, but it is not required. Mac users should make sure that all required software is compatible with the Apple operating system.

Memory

All computers should have a minimum dedicated RAM of 8 GB or higher.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

A GPU is not required, but it is recommended for students who will be using their laptop for tasks such as video editing or graphic design.

Chromebooks

It is not recommended to purchase a Chromebook, as they are not suitable for the coursework and software required by the university.

Tablets

Tablets are not acceptable substitutes for laptops, as they lack the necessary processing power, storage space, and software compatibility required.

Warranty

All computers should have a minimum 3-year on-site warranty.

Wi-Fi

All students should have access to an internet connection and a computer with Wi-Fi capabilities.

Please Note: Each department will have their own unique requirements that may differ from those mentioned in this section. Major and school-specific recommendations will be addressed later in this brochure. When in doubt, students should check with their academic advisors or IT departments before making a final decision on their laptop purchase.

General Software Recommendations

You will be expected to use the following software applications throughout your enrollment at Portland State, regardless of area of study.

Google Workspace

Portland State is a Google campus. Google Workspace tools, including Sheets, Docs, and Slides, are freely available and can be used for most assignments on campus

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office may be required for some specialized courses on campus. It is optimized for the Windows operating system, and although Microsoft Office is compatible with macOS, there have been many reported limitations to Microsoft Excel and other programs on Apple’s M1 and M2 devices. Zoom

Portland State has a campus-wide license for the use of Zoom teleconferencing software for virtual coursework and meetings.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Some programs in the Creative Cloud suite will be used such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere and will benefit from a dedicated GPU.

If you’re question isn’t answered here, check out our student portal for more answers, or reach out to a member of our IT team.

Do I have to buy any software?

It depends, for the majority of the cases, the software you will need will be included in the cost of your tuition and you will not need to purchase anything. Some of your courses will require the purchase of software, you will be informed of this at the time you receive your syllabus from your instructor. If you ever have any questions please reach out to your instructor, academic department, or the IT support team.

I have a Chromebook from high school can I use that for my classes?

No, Chromebooks are a web-based operating system that is not supported by our IT department, nor is it compatible with most of the processing requirements expected in your coursework.

Do you have any additional resources?

Our Student Guide to Learning Remotely provides valuable information for technology tools available to students! Additionally, the Virtual Computer Lab (VLAB) Overview provides a list of all of the applications/software available on VLab.

Closing

The information in this guide is meant to provide you with a brief overview of the hardware options that may be helpful to you as you navigate your academic journey here at Portland State University. Please keep in mind that this guide is not exhaustive and that there are many different types of hardware that will enable you to seamlessly use PSU systems and software.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has many tools and resources at your disposal to assist you in your transition to campus. Feel free to browse our OIT service catalog, visit our help desk, or try our online chat with “Kit” to find the answer to routine questions.

As you take this important step to prepare for your time here at PSU, we wish you all the best in the rest of your preparations in advance of the upcoming academic year. We look forward to seeing you on campus.

All the best,

The Office of Information Technology