School of Computer Programming and Analysis (SCPA)

Hardware

What you need to be successful in the school of SCPA.

You will require:

Windows Hardware

• A computer running Windows 10 (or 11). Recommended minimum specifications are:
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Processor: i5 processor (i7 or M processor preferred)
  • Storage: 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD) (1TB preferred)
  • Peripherals: Keyboard, mouse/trackpad, webcam, microphone

Note

• ARM-based Windows machines are not recommended as the College VPN does not support ARM.
• Windows 10 is no longer available from Seneca. You are responsible for obtaining your own licensed operating system.

Mac OSX Hardware

An Intel based Mac or MacBook is acceptable as it will support side-loading of Windows for some applications by implementing virtual machines. The specifications below take this into consideration.

• Recommended minimum specifications are:
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Processor: Quad-core processor (any base quad core processors in MacBook Air, Pro 13/16" are acceptable)
  • 512GB storage (preferably an SSD)
  • Peripherals: Keyboard, mouse/trackpad, webcam, microphone

Note

• You will have to run Windows on your Mac in order to run the software required for your courses. Windows can be loaded a few different ways:
  • Bootcamp (Intel processor only)
  • VMWare (free) allows you to run Windows virtually
  • Parallels (50% off for students)
    • Parallels and Windows are available here for SDDS students: https://senecapolytechnic.onthehub.com/WebStore/Welcome.aspx
    • A copy of Windows Education is available free for SDDS students.
    • Apple offers bonus education discounts on the Air and 13” Pro about 6 weeks before and after the start of fall semester

Internet

A high-speed internet connection is needed for online/hybrid courses, and requires a minimum bandwidth of 25mb/sec down, and 2mb/sec up, faster than that is better. The Canadian government has mandated that 50 down and 10 up should be the minimum required to call a connection high-speed.