How do I check if my laptop is good enough for schoolwork at NWACC?

Answer

✅ Minimum Computer Specifications for NWACC Students

NWACC recommends that students use a Windows desktop or laptop computer. A Mac will also work fine for most classes. Chromebooks are not recommended because they are not compatible with software required for some classes.

Before purchasing or using a computer for your coursework, make sure it meets these minimum specs recommended by NWACC:

Component	Good	Better	Best
Operating System	*Windows 10 or 11 - MacOSX 12 and higher	*Windows 10 or 11 - MacOSX 13 and higher	*Windows 11 - MacOSX 14
RAM	8 GB	16 GB	16 GB
Hard Drive	256 GB SSD Preferred	512 GB SSD or NVMe M.2 Preferred	512 GB SSD or NVMe M.2

Full Details are available here: NWACC Computer Requirements

🖥️ How to Check Your Computer’s Specs

For Windows 10/11:

Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
Click System, then About.
Look under Device specifications to find:
- OS: Windows version and edition
- Installed RAM
- Processor
To check your hard drive:
- Open File Explorer > Click This PC
- Under “Devices and drives,” you’ll see your storage capacity (e.g., “250 GB SSD”)

For macOS:

Click the Apple menu in the top left.
Choose About This Mac.
In the Overview tab, you’ll see:
- macOS version
- Processor
- Memory (RAM)
- Startup Disk (shows storage)
For more detail on hard drive space:
- Click Storage in the same window.