UC Davis expects each student to own a computer that meets minimum performance standards, as shown in the table below. Older computer systems might not be able to run current software needed for daily computing, use file formats required for classes, or meet the current security requirements of the campus. Tablets, Chromebooks, and other similar computing devices are currently too limited to comfortably perform all the functions you are likely to need as a student at UC Davis.
For additional information, see Computer Ownership – FAQ for Students.
Consult your department about specific software or hardware requirements that differ from these recommended configurations.
Recommended Computer Configurations for the 2025/26 Academic Year | ||
| Platform | Windows PC | Apple Mac |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 or higher or AMD Ryzen 5 or higher | M2 or higher |
| RAM | 16 GB is recommended | 8 GB is acceptable, but 16 GB is highly recommended |
| Storage | UC Davis strongly encourages using a solid-state drive (SSD), 500 GB minimum, larger if you expect to store a lot of data. | |
| Backup | Backing up your system is strongly recommended. See note #1 below for information on options. | |
| Display | See note #2 below for laptop screen size | |
| Network | Wireless: 802.11ac Wi-Fi | |
| Printer | See note #3 below | |
| Webcam | A webcam or HD webcam for use with Zoom is recommended. See note #4 below for more information. | |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 11 | Apple macOS 13 (Ventura) or higher |
| Software |
See note #5 below for information about software products. | |
| Warranty |
If you plan to your this device throughout your college career, a 3-year parts and labor warranty is highly recommended. An on-site repair warranty is recommended, if funds permit. | |
Additional notes
1. Backup:
We recommend backing up your important files to the cloud. Once new students have a valid UC Davis email address, they can take advantage of free cloud storage through Box, Microsoft OneDrive, and Google Drive. Learn more about options for cloud storage.
2. Display:
Laptop – The display should be comfortable for you to read and view. Laptop displays should have a minimum resolution of 1920x1080. The screen should be at least 13 inches diagonally.
Desktop – Desktop displays should have a resolution of at least 1920x1080 (widescreen). We recommend at least a 19-inch monitor.
3. Printer:
If you live in the residence halls you may not need to bring a printer as some residence halls have them. If you bring a printer, make sure it has a USB connection, as wireless printers will not work in the residential halls.
Regardless of where you live, you can use the printers in IET’s computer rooms on campus. Printing there incurs a small cost, but saves you the expense of buying a printer, ink, and paper. The wireless printing service lets you print to one of several computer rooms from your laptop while using the UC Davis wireless network.
4. Zoom
The recommended system configurations documented in this article will meet the minimum requirements for use with Zoom. For additional details, please visit Zoom's System Requirements documentation directly.
5. Software:
UC Davis offers various software for download from the Software Catalog. Find information on free and discounted software in KB0005189. Current students can download Office 365.
Students will also need anti-virus software. Please note that commercial anti-virus software pre-installed in new computers may be only time-limited trial versions and may not be long-term solutions.