Claremont McKenna College: recommended laptop specification

No — this is a recommendation, not a requirement. Claremont McKenna College publishes a suggested configuration: 8GB RAM, 250GB storage. You are not obliged to buy a machine that matches it.

Recommended only. Claremont McKenna College publishes this as guidance. An existing laptop that does the job is usually fine — do not buy a new machine on the strength of this page alone.

The published specification

Operating system: Windows 10 or Mac OSX (MacOS)

Processor: Any Intel i3, i5 or i7

Memory (RAM): 8GB RAM or better

Storage: 250GB hard drive or better

Warranty: Four years - 'FOUR years! Remember, you're here for four years.'

What this specification rules out

Chromebook / netbook / tablet as primary computer (strongly recommended against); also advises against bringing a wireless access point/router or wireless printer, and against Microsoft Works / OpenOffice / iWork

Also listed on the same page

Microsoft Office (described on the companion New Computer page as 'a must for academic purposes at CMC'), but CMC provides Office 365 free to all students, so the checklist tells students to skip buying it. Printing is free on campus, so a printer is optional. Screen size: 15 inch for a laptop or 19 inch+ for a desktop.

The verdict: nothing here obliges you to buy. Claremont McKenna College suggests 8GB RAM, 250GB storage; treat that as a target, not a gate. A laptop you already own that does your coursework fits.

Source

Taken from Claremont McKenna College's own published page: https://www.cmc.edu/information-technology/computing-checklist. Verified 2026-08-25. Specifications change every intake, so confirm against that page before you buy.

Laptops that meet this specification

One that qualifies: HP 15.6" FHD Notebook Intel Core i5-1235U 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Natural Silver See price on Amazon Its listing states 8GB RAM and 512GB storage, which meets the Claremont McKenna College minimum of 8GB / 250GB quoted above — their published specification. It is one machine that clears the bar, not a ranking.

Product links go to Amazon search — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Links never change the checklist.

Search Amazon for laptop 8GB RAM 250GB SSD

See price on Amazon

The search is built from the capacities Claremont McKenna College actually prints, so compare each result against the published specification above before ordering — listings change and this page does not track stock or price.

Claremont McKenna College laptop requirements: common questions

Does Claremont McKenna College require students to have a laptop?

No — this is a recommendation, not a requirement. Claremont McKenna College publishes a suggested configuration: 8GB RAM, 250GB storage. You are not obliged to buy a machine that matches it.

What laptop specification does Claremont McKenna College publish?

Claremont McKenna College publishes 8GB RAM, 250GB storage, on Windows 10 or Mac OSX (MacOS). It is guidance, not an obligation. Confirm against the source page before buying.

What does Claremont McKenna College's specification rule out?

Where does this Claremont McKenna College laptop specification come from?

Claremont McKenna College's own published page at https://www.cmc.edu/information-technology/computing-checklist. Verified 2026-08-25. Specifications change every intake.

Packing for Claremont McKenna College

A laptop is one line on a longer list. See the full Claremont McKenna College dorm packing list for bedding, storage and the rest of move-in.

Laptop requirements at other schools: Clemson University · Colorado State University · DePaul University · Drexel University · East Carolina University · George Mason University

Compare every school that publishes one: college laptop requirements table.