College of Journalism & Mass Communications Laptop Policy
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All students in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications are required to lease, purchase, or have ready access to a laptop computer that meets or exceeds the specifications listed below. Students can choose between the Windows or Mac platform.
Requirements:
| Windows | Mac | |
| CPU: | Intel 9th generation i5 minimum, i7 recommended. Quad Core + Required | M1 chipset recommended |
| Display: | 15" Full-HD recommended, 13" Minimum | 15" Retina recommended, 13" Minimum |
| RAM: | 8 GB minimum (16 recommended) | 8 GB minimum (16 recommended) |
| Disk Storage: | 500 GB minimum (SSD recommended) | 500 GB minimum (SSD recommended) |
| Video Card: | AMD or Nvidia graphics (Required) | Not Applicable |
| OS: | Windows 10 (64-bit) version 20H2 or higher | MacOS 11 or higher |
Families considering Macs: Apple is phasing out the Intel chips for their own M1 chipset. This means Apple will cease support for Intel-based Macs likely around the time your student is nearing graduation from UNL. As of this writing, there are only two Mac laptops with M1 chips, and both have 13-inch screens. If you’re considering a Mac, we recommend waiting for Apple to announce more options with M1 chips.
Software students must install:
- Adobe Creative Cloud -- available free to UNL students.
Recommended additions:
- A 3-year extended warranty
- External drive (1TB or larger) for backups.
- Microsoft Office -- available at a steep discount at HuskerTech, the UNL computer store.
Funding
You may be able to finance your computer or software purchase through financial aid. To determine your eligibility please contact the Husker Hub:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Husker Hub
102 Canfield
Lincoln, NE 68588-0411
(40) 472-2030
huskerhub@unl.edu
If you cannot afford to purchase a laptop computer, please contact your CoJMC advisor to discuss alternative options.