Online Learning at CSU
Specifications for Student Computers
Access to a computer and the Internet are requirements of your enrolment at Charles Sturt University. If you do not already have access to a suitable computer, the following information aims to provide you with assistance in purchasing a suitable computer for your studies at CSU.
Students are recommended to:
Purchase the personal computer that best suits your personal needs.
Most modern computers will support the majority of the needs for CSU students to a greater or lesser extent. The degree to which you are willing to balance a financial outlay against computing performance and convenience is a highly personal choice and will depend on your particular situation.
Seek to purchase a computer that will remain under warranty from the manufacturer in the medium term.
Most computer purchases represent a substantial financial investment. Buying equipment that is under warranty helps ensure that you will continue to receive value from your investment over an extended period of time.
Acquire a laptop personal computer if possible - this is especially important if you are intending to use the CSU wireless network while on campus.
In recent years laptops have become a cost effective alternative to the desktop computer. As students become ever more busy in their professional and personal lives the benefits of mobile computing facilities are becoming more attractive to many people.
Check for specific course/subject requirements that may exceed the recommended standards so as to understand the possible impact on any computer purchasing plans.
Some specialist subjects require the use of sophisticated software applications as part of your studies. These specialist software suits may require particular levels or forms of hardware in order to function. Your local computer suppliers will be able to offer advice on the hardware needed to support these kinds of applications.
Use the current CSU staff specifications as a starting point if in doubt.
The Computer Shop maintains a page listing the current computers for CSU staff. These are the computers that staff purchase internally for use at the University. The specifications of these computers serve as a reasonable guide to students as teachers and students use similar software applications.