Technology Requirements
You will need to make sure your personal computer meets the necessary technology requirements.
Software Requirements | Hardware Requirements | Video Playback Guidelines
| Software | Requirement | Free Download/Purchase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | Macintosh | ||
| Document Processing Software | Use word processing programs to submit your work. However, if you are using Microsft Word 2007, please save it in doc not docx. | Student WebStore Word Viewer |
Student WebStore Word Viewer |
| Microsoft PowerPoint (Purchase) or compatible viewer (Freeware) | Student WebStore PowerPoint Viewer 2007 |
Student WebStore Open Office (no comparable free MS viewer) |
|
| Adobe Acrobat Reader (Freeware) | Acrobat Reader | Acrobat Reader | |
| Players and Plug-Ins | Flash Player (Freeware) | Flash Player | Flash Player |
| RealPlayer or QuickTime Player (Freeware) | QuickTime or RealPlayer | QuickTime is built into Mac OS X or RealPlayer |
|
| Java (Freeware) |
Check if you have the most up-to-date version of Java. |
Use the Software Update feature (available on the Apple menu) to check that you have the most up-to-date version of Java for your Mac. | |
| Security | Anti-Virus Software |
(Free Anti-Virus Software for U of I students, faculty, and staff) |
(Free Anti-Virus Software for U of I students, faculty, and staff) |
| Web Browser (Freeware) | Windows Internet Explorer 6.0-8.0 Firefox 2.0-3.6 Macintosh Firefox 2.0-3.5 Safari 2.0-4.0 With these settings - Cookies enabled - JavaScript enabled - Pop-up blockers disabled |
Safari Firefox |
|
| Hardware | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows: 2000/XP/Vista Macintosh: OS9 or OS X |
Windows: XP Macintosh: OS X |
| Processor | Windows: 1.3 GHz Pentium III, Athlon, or better Macintosh: 1.25 GHz G4 or higher |
Windows: 2.0 GHz Pentium 4, Athlon, or better Macintosh: See minimum |
| RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Disk Space | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Monitor Resolution | 1024*768 | See minimum |
| Video card | 16 MB of memory (for Windows Vista users) Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory |
32 MB of memory (For Windows Vista users) Support for DirectX 9 graphics with: WDDM Driver 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum) Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware 32 bits per pixel |
| Sound Card | Required, with speaker/headphone and microphone jack | See minimum |
| Speakers | External or headset | Headset with microphone |
| Microphone | External or standalone | Headset with microphone |
| Internet Connection | Cable, DSL, Satellite, or T1 Broadband connection | See minimum |
Many software packages are available free of charge. Where free software isn't available, the University of Illinois may provide academic pricing for computer software and hardware for enrolled students. Please go to the student section of the U of I WebStore for downloadable versions.