South Dakota State University: recommended laptop specification

No — this is a recommendation, not a requirement. South Dakota State University publishes computing guidance, but no specific configuration. You are not obliged to buy a machine that matches it.

Recommended only. South Dakota State University 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 Computers: Windows 11. Mac Computers: Mac OS 14 or higher.

Processor: Windows: "Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 13th or 14th Generation 6 Cores or more." Mac: "M Series".

Memory (RAM): Windows: "16-32 GB". Mac: "16 GB on M series chips".

Storage: Windows: "512 GB or larger NVMe or Solid-State Drive". Mac: "512GB or larger".

What this specification rules out

"iPads, Kindles, Chromebooks, laptops with Windows S Mode and Android devices are not recommended as primary devices for school work. They may not be able to run the required software for some classes."

The verdict: nothing here obliges you to buy, and South Dakota State University publishes no configuration to match. Keep the laptop you have unless it is failing you.

Source

Taken from South Dakota State University's own published page: https://help.sdstate.edu/TDClient/2744/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=155669 — stated for Not stated on the page.. Verified 2026-08-25. Specifications change every intake, so confirm against that page before you buy.

Laptops for South Dakota State University students

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

See price on Amazon

South Dakota State University publishes no capacities to build a search from, so this is a general search — check with South Dakota State University IT before ordering — listings change and this page does not track stock or price.

South Dakota State University laptop requirements: common questions

Does South Dakota State University require students to have a laptop?

No — this is a recommendation, not a requirement. South Dakota State University publishes computing guidance, but no specific configuration. You are not obliged to buy a machine that matches it.

What does South Dakota State University's specification rule out?

Where does this South Dakota State University laptop specification come from?

South Dakota State University's own published page at https://help.sdstate.edu/TDClient/2744/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=155669, stated for Not stated on the page.. Verified 2026-08-25. Specifications change every intake.

Packing for South Dakota State University

A laptop is one line on a longer list. See the full South Dakota State University dorm packing list for bedding, storage and the rest of move-in.

Laptop requirements at other schools: Syracuse University · Texas A&M University · Texas Christian University · Texas State University · Texas Tech University · The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

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