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FAQs

What are suggested minimum specifications for new computers?{expander}

Updated on 6/25/2026

Purchasing a computer with the specifications below should provide excellent performance throughout your college career (approximately four years). These recommendations are intended for students whose primary use includes writing papers, research, web browsing, streaming, and general coursework. Students working extensively with video editing, photography, music production, animation, or other creative media should consider higher-end configurations.

Below are the recommended minimum specifications for new computer purchases.

Laptop or Desktop — Sarah Lawrence College strongly recommends a laptop. A laptop provides the flexibility to attend class, study in the library, work in residence halls, and travel during breaks. While desktops generally offer greater performance for the price, they lack portability.
Processor (Windows) — We recommend a recent processor such as:
- Intel Core Ultra 5, Ultra 7, or Ultra 9
- Intel Core i5 or i7 (13th Generation or newer)
- AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 (7000 Series or newer)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite
Avoid Intel Celeron, Pentium, Intel Processor N-Series, and older AMD Athlon processors.
Processor (Mac) — Apple M2 or newer is recommended. Apple M3, M4 and M5 systems provide the best long-term value.
Memory (RAM) — 16 GB minimum for both Windows and Mac computers. If your budget allows, 24 GB or more is recommended for improved multitasking and future-proofing.
Storage — A minimum 512 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) is recommended. Students working with video, photography, or other creative media should consider a 1 TB SSD or larger.

We strongly recommend purchasing a Solid State Drive (SSD). SSDs are significantly faster, more reliable, use less battery power, and provide a much better overall computing experience than traditional hard drives.
Display Size — 13-inch or larger for laptops (13–16 inches recommended) and 24-27-inch for desktops.
Wireless Internet — Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or newer is recommended. Wi-Fi is preferred when available. Ethernet is not supported in student residence halls.
Webcam & Microphone — A built-in HD (1080p preferred) webcam and microphone are recommended for virtual classes, meetings, and interviews.
Battery Life — For laptops, we recommend a battery life of at least 10 hours under typical use.
Warranty — A three- or four-year manufacturer warranty is recommended. Accidental damage protection is also worth considering for laptops.
External Storage — A 32 GB or larger USB flash drive or an external SSD is recommended for transferring and backing up important files.

After You Buy:

Web Browsing — We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari (Mac). Keep your browser updated to ensure the latest security and performance improvements.
Security — Enable automatic operating system updates, use built-in security features such as Microsoft Defender or Apple's security protections, enable device encryption (BitLocker or FileVault), and regularly back up important files. Most students do not need additional antivirus software.

Should I purchase a Mac or PC?{expander}

Besides the aesthetic “feel” of each platform, there are a number of important practical differences between Macs and PCs that should be taken into account when deciding which one is right for you.

Warranty
A 3-year warranty from Dell or Apple will cost roughly the same. However, Apple does not offer as many types of support as Dell or many other manufacturers, e.g., accidental damage or on-site repair and replacement coverage.
Hardware Variety
There are hundreds of models of Windows PCs sold by dozens of manufacturers you can choose from to ensure that you buy exactly what you need. Apple is the only company that sells Macs, and there many types of computers that Apple simply does not make; if you absolutely need a laptop for under $900, a desktop under $500, a tablet PC, or an ultra-portable subnotebook, a Windows PC is your best option.
Software compatibility
- Though there is vastly more Windows software than Mac OS X software, new Macs can run Windows software (though not vice versa). Any Mac manufactured since May 2006 has the ability to run Windows software through one of the following you can purchase Parallels Desktop, which allows you to run Windows and OS X simultaneously, giving you access to the combined software libraries of both platforms at the same time. For maximum flexibility, you can have it both ways and use Parallels if you wish. For either approach, you must possess a licensed copy of Windows ARM to install.
- If you are a film student (or intend to become one), a Mac will useful because Final Cut Pro–the video editing software supported by and taught at Sarah Lawrence College–is a Mac-only product.
Price
Macs are generally more expensive. Because Apple offers fewer models, you are more likely to pay for features that you don’t need when you buy a Mac. Apple’s cheaper models tend to be more expensive than cheap PCs. In addition, Sarah Lawrence College’s Apple store gives you an academic discount that will lower the price of a new Mac, in most cases.

How can I get my computer repaired?{expander}

For non-SLC-owned computers, Help Desk provides first-tier troubleshooting and diagnosis, with escalation to second-tier repair on a case-by-case basis. For those cases that we determine to be beyond the scope of our capabilities, we offer you the following list of companies that provide computer repair services. This list is provided as a courtesy only; we do not recommend any company, nor do we have any agreements or discounts.

Computer Nerds, Inc

Address – 441 Bronxville Rd, Bronxville, NY
Phone – 914-779-7952
Hours – 8:30 am to 7pm (answering phone)
Email – info@thecomputernerdsinc.com
Website – http://www.thecomputernerdsinc.com
Service Type – On-site
Windows – Yes
OS X – ‘will not guarantee anything’7.4
Rate – $130/hour + parts
Discount – Talk to Jim Minovich (owner)
Pick up – Yes (Free)
Drop off – Yes (Free)
Notes – Will make house calls.

Computer Tutor @ PCI and TeamLogic IT

Address – Westchester
Phone – 914-337-1700, 914-337-8400
Hours – Vary.
Email – ctpci94@aol.com
Website – http://www.computertutorpci.com and http://www.teamlogicit.com
Service Type – on-site
Windows – Yes
OS X – Yes
Rate – $95/hour + parts
Discount – Will probably discount 10-20%, could set up a meeting with owner.
Pick up – Yes (Free)
Drop off – Yes (Free)
Notes – Does house calls all over the area.

Corporate Computer Solutions

Address – 55 Halstead Avenue Harrison, NY 10528
Phone – 914-835-1105
Hours – 9-5
Email – Winston Henry http://www.corporatecomputersol.com
Service Type – On-site
Windows – Yes
OS X – No
Rate – $80/hour, 1 hr minimum
Discount – None.
Pick up – Yes
Drop off – Yes
Notes – n/a

Custom Computers and Repair

Address – Yonkers
Phone – 914-374-0917
Hours -
Email – tom@customcomprepair.com, mobile@yonkerspcrepair.com
Website – http://www.customcomprepair.com
Service Type – On-site
Windows – Yes
OS X -
Rate – $75-$125/hour + parts
Discount – $50-$100/hour + parts (for SLC)
Pick up – Yes (Free)
Drop off – Yes (Free)
Notes -Does house calls. IrishMidak on AIM. Low price: software installation (non-OS), simple hardware installation. High price: data recovery, serious virus trouble.

DoctorMac

Address – 20 North Ave, Larchmont, NY 10538
Phone – 914-834-8810
Hours -
Email – lou@doctormacny.com
Website – www.doctormacny.com
Service Type – On-site
Windows – No
OS X – Yes
Rate -
Discount -
Pick up -
Drop off -
Notes -

Geeks On Call

Address – World Headquarters
814 Kempsville Road, Suite 106
Norfolk, VA, USA 23502
Phone – 800-905-GEEK
Hours -Monday to Friday 8 to 12am. Sunday 10-7
Email – shana.keith@porternovelli.com
Website – http://www.geeksoncall.com/
Service Type – On-site
Windows – Yes
OS X – Yes
Rate – $165 for first hour for networked computer, + $120/additional hour, or $30 per quarter hour. Diagnostic calls: $79/first 15 minutes, after that, shifts to hourly or flat rate depending on computer. Hardware installation flat rate: $165 for 1st part, $65 for each additional.
Discount – No
Pick up – No
Drop off – No
Notes – All work will take place on-site. Technicians A+ certified. Generally enterprise-level services.

GeekSquad

Address – Best Buy 555 E Sandford Blvd
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Phone (914) 664-4425
Phone – 1-800-GEEK-SQUAD
Hours – Vary
Email -www.geeksquad.com
Service Type -
Windows – Yes
OS X – Yes
Rate -http://www.geeksquad.com/pricing/default.aspx#section1 (price list)
Discount – No
Pick up -
Drop off -
Notes -

LaptopRescue.com

Address – 912 W Isabella St, Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone – 800-574-7642
Hours – M-F 9am-6pm Eastern
Email – http://www.laptoprescue.com/contactus.php
Website – http://www.laptoprescue.com
Service Type – Mail-in laptop only. East Coast and West Coast centers.
Windows – Yes
OS X – No
Rate – No more than $149 plus parts. Diagnostic free with repair; without, may cost $29.95. Quotes free, up front, before work begun. See below.
Discount – None
Pick up – n/a
Drop off – n/a
Notes – Service HP, Dell, ThinkPad, Toshiba, Sony, Fujitsu, Alienware, Acer, Asus, Panasonic, Gateway, and Compaq. No fix = no charge. Better Business Bureau certified.

R & R Computer Service

Address – PO BOX 728 Yonkers NY 107084
Phone – 914-422-1804 or 888-randr99
Hours – 24/7
Email – raimonj@randrservice.com
Website – http://www.randrservice.com
Service Type – On-site
Windows – Yes
OS X – Yes
Rate – $110 for a call including 1 hour, plus $90/hour after.
Discount – $85/$75 for students/schools.
Pick up – Yes
Drop off – Yes
Notes – No fix = no charge.

MacService / ThinkpadService

Address – 3034 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone – 877-622-3473 or 408-855-0010
Hours – 9-5 (west coast)
Email – http://www.macservice.com or
Service Type – Mail-in laptop only.
Windows – Yes
OS X – Yes
Rate – Fixed prices, which include parts, shipping, box, and labor.
Discount – Education Program allows for discounts, free estimates, free shipping. Can sign up online.
Pick up – No
Drop off – No
Notes – Services Apple, HP, Dell, ThinkPad, Toshiba, Sony, Fujitsu, Alieneare, Acer, Asus, Panasonic, Gateway, and Compaq. Better Business Bureau certified.

Firedog

Address – Circuit City, 750 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704 next to the Cross County Shopping Center
Phone – 800-fire-dog or 914-969-1629
Hours – 1am Eastern Time Closes.
Email – customercare@firedog.com
Website – http://www.firedog.com/
Service Type – In-store, on-site, remote/online, phone
Windows – Yes
OS X – No
Rate -http://www.firedog.com/pcs_all.html
Discount – None. Can sign up online for special offers.
Pick up – No
Drop off – No
Notes – n/a

Mount Vernon Computers

Address – 1455 Route 22, Wingdale, New York, 12594, Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Phone – 914-439-7118
Hours – 9 – 5.
Email – info@mountvernoncomputers.com
Website -http://www.mountvernoncomputers.com/
Service Type – On-site.
Windows – Yes
OS X – Yes
Rate – $65 an hour.
Discount – On enquiry discount can be set up.
Pick up – Yes
Drop off – Yes
Notes – n/a

Does SLC offer assistance to faculty/staff in purchasing a computer?{expander}

From Employee > Benefits > Financial > Computer Loan Program:

Sarah Lawrence extends loans to employees for the purchase of computer equipment and peripherals. Employees may borrow up to $2000 per computer loan request. Repayment is through payroll deduction and may be over a period of no more than 24 consecutive months or two academic years (for staff employees paid over 10 months), interest free. Guest faculty with one year or one semester contracts must repay the loan over the period of their contract. Borrowers must show proof of purchase and must repay the loan in full immediately if employment is terminated. Outstanding computer loans must be repaid in full before any future computer loans will be considered. Detailed information, payroll deduction forms and repayment notes are available in the Controller’s office.