Hardware and Software

Below we outlined recommendations for personal devices, based on a thorough analysis of what software students are likely to use throughout their programme. Furthermore even the minimum recommended specifications should be enough to get you by on a daily basis. If you will be starting the MSc Computing Science at the University of Groningen, please take these recommendations to heart and follow them for a successful study career at the University of Groningen.

Minimum specifications:

• 8GB of RAM
• CPUs can be either Intel or AMD (Note CPUs might vary, check for laptop and not mobile/tablet variant with clock speed > 1.5GHz)
• Any Modern Laptop Intel CPU < 3 years old with at least 4 cores and that is 64 bit (Intel i5, i7; note some i3 clock speed is less than 1.5GHz opt for higher ones)
• Any Modern AMD laptop CPU < 3 years old with at least 4 cores and that is 64 bit (Ryzen 5, Ryzen 9)
• 256GB (Preferably SSD)
• Standard VoIP hardware (microphone + webcam)

Recommended specifications:

• 16GB of RAM
• Any Modern Laptop Intel CPU < 3 years old with at least 4 cores and that is 64 bit (Intel i5, i7)
• Any Modern AMD laptop CPU < 3 years old with at least 4 cores and that is 64 bit (Ryzen 5, Ryzen 9)
• 512GB SSD or more
• Dedicated Graphics card (e.g. Nvidia/AMD)
• Standard VoIP hardware (microphone + webcam)
  

Small exception: Certain courses involve/recommend using the Linux operating system. In that case, there is a possibility that you might decide to run dual-boot or install a virtual machine.

As a student a the University of Groningen, you may make use of Surfspot, which provides software and hardware for a student-friendly price.