2015-16 Purchasing Manual Instructions
APPENDIX C – COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS
Schools and districts need to ensure computer hardware for the 2015-2016 school year meets or exceeds the
specifications below. Please be sure to make this purchase in consultation with your IT department.
High School PLTW Engineering and Middle School PLTW Gateway:




Each teacher must have a laptop (1:1 ratio)
Each student must have either laptop or desktop computer (1:1 ratio)
PLTW curricula utilize powerful, industry-based software that may require computer
upgrades. Hardware decisions should be made in consultation with your IT department to determine
actual needs.
Please see computer specifications below:
Specification
Processor
RAM
Minimum (for existing computers)
Intel® Core 2 Duo or i5 processor
8 GB
Hard Drive
500 GB +
1 GB dedicated RAM or greater DirectX
(Direct3D/OpenGL) Capable graphics card
supporting 1280 x 1024 screen resolution*
DVD-ROM Drive
Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, 64 bit operating
system or Apple device with OSX 10.6. Bootcamp
required with one of the above Windows operating
systems.
Must have network connectivity (wireless and/or
wired)
IE9 or later
Firefox 20 or later is recommended for optimal
utilization of the PLTW Learning Management
System (LMS)
Adobe Flash Player 10 or later
Microsoft Office, v. 2007 through 2013 or Office
365 E3 version only, for iComponents, thread
customization, and spreadsheet-driven designs
NOTE: Open Office is not supported at this time.
Video Card
Optical Drive
Operating
System
Network
Other Basic
Software (go
here for a
complete
listing of all
needed
software).
Recommended (for new purchases)
Intel® Xeon® or i7 processor
12 GB
1 TB +
1 GB dedicated RAM or greater DirectX
(Direct3D/OpenGL) Capable graphics card
supporting 1280 x 1024 screen resolution*
DVD-ROM Drive
Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, 64 bit operating
system or Apple device with OSX 10.8. Bootcamp
required with one of the above Windows operating
systems.
Must have network connectivity (wireless and/or
wired)
IE9 or later
Firefox 20 or later is recommended for optimal
utilization of the PLTW Learning Management
System (LMS)
Adobe Flash Player 10 or later
Microsoft Office, v. 2007 through 2013 or Office
365 E3 version only, for iComponents, thread
customization, and spreadsheet-driven designs
NOTE: Open Office is not supported at this time.
*IMPORTANT: Basic Intel graphic chipset or other chipsets with shared memory should not be used for video display. See the Autodesk
certified graphics hardware page here as reference tool in selecting graphics hardware.
NOTE: If you are teaching ICS (Introduction to Computer Science) within the PLTW Gateway program, you can use the computer specifications
shown for PLTW Computer Science Program on page three of this document. Please note however that these specifications will not be
sufficient for use in any other PLTW Gateway courses. We recommend purchasing computers meeting the specifications on this page if
possible so these computers can be used for other PLTW Gateway courses.
High School PLTW Engineering and Middle School PLTW Gateway - Printer Specifications:
Print speed: Up to 35 ppm
Resolution: 600X600 dpi
Memory: 128 MB min
Paper size: Letter, legal, 11X17 (required)
Robust duty cycle (Color not required)
Network ready
Appendix C – Computer Specs
Page 1
Version 1 | Published January 30th, 2015
2015-16 Purchasing Manual Instructions
High School PLTW Biomedical Science:
Schools and districts looking to purchase laptop computers in the 2014-2015 school year should meet or
exceed the specifications below. Please be sure to make this purchase in consultation with your IT department.



Each student and teacher for PLTW Biomedical Science courses MUST have a laptop (1:1 ratio)
PLTW curricula utilize powerful, industry-based software that may require computer
upgrades. Hardware decisions should be made in consultation with your IT department to determine
actual needs.
Please see laptop computer specifications below:
Specification
Processor
RAM
Minimum (for existing computers)
Intel® Core 2 Duo or i5 processor
4 GB min for 64 bit processor
Recommended (new purchases)
Intel® i5 processor
8 GB
Hard Drive
250 GB + Hard Drive
250 GB + Hard Drive
Video Card
Integrated Graphics
Integrated Graphics
Optical Drive
DVD-ROM Drive
Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, 64 bit operating
system or Apple device with OSX 10.6. Bootcamp
required with one of the above Windows
operating systems.
Must have wireless network connectivity
DVD-ROM Drive
Operating
System
Network
Other Basic
Software (go
here for a
complete listing
of all needed
software).
IE9 or later
Firefox 20 or later is recommended for optimal
utilization of the PLTW Learning Management
System (LMS)
Adobe Flash Player 10 or later
Microsoft Office, v. 2007 through 2013 or Office
365 E3 version only.
NOTE: Open Office is not supported at this time.
Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, 64 bit
operating system or Apple device with
OSX 10.6. Bootcamp required with one of
the above Windows operating systems.
Must have wireless network connectivity
IE9 or later
Firefox 20 or later is recommended for
optimal utilization of the PLTW Learning
Management System (LMS)
Adobe Flash Player 10 or later
Microsoft Office, v. 2007 through 2013 or
Office 365 E3 version only.
NOTE: Open Office is not supported at
this time.
IMPORTANT: Computers used only in the BMS courses do not need the 3D CAD compatible video card.
High School PLTW Biomedical Science Printer Specifications:
Print speed: Up to 35ppm
Resolution: 600X600 dpi minimum
Memory: 128 MB min
Paper size: Letter, Legal
Robust duty cycle
Network ready
Color not required
Appendix C – Computer Specs
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Version 1 | Published January 30th, 2015
2015-16 Purchasing Manual Instructions
High School PLTW Computer Science:
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

Android tablets AND computers (laptop or desktop) are both required.
All tablets for High School PLTW Computer Science courses must be Android tablets
Tablets required for each teacher (1:1 ratio) AND for students at a no greater than a 2:1 ratio
Please see Android tablet specifications below for PLTW Computer Science:
Processor
1 Ghz processor or greater
RAM
1 GB or greater
On Board Storage
16 GB or greater
Screen Size
7 in – 10 in
Operating System
Android v4.0 +
Network
WIFI Only
Other Required
Embedded Hardware
Front or Rear facing camera (highly recommend both)
Accelerometer
Microphone
Bluetooth
Schools and districts need to ensure computer hardware for the 2015-2016 school year meets or exceeds the specifications
below. Please be sure to make this purchase in consultation with your IT department.

Please see computer specifications (laptop or desktop) below for PLTW Computer Science.

A computer (laptop or desktop) is required for each teacher and each student (1:1 ratio)
Specification
Processor
Minimum (for existing computers)
Intel® Core 2 Duo or i5 processor
RAM
4 GB min for 64 bit processor
Recommended (new purchases)
Intel® i5 processor
8 GB min
Hard Drive
250 GB + Hard Drive
250 GB + Hard Drive
Video Card
Integrated Graphics
Integrated Graphics
Optical Drive
DVD-ROM Drive
DVD-ROM Drive
Display
Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, 64 bit operating
system or Apple device with OSX 10.6. Bootcamp
required with one of the above Windows
operating systems.
21” + external monitor per computer is required
Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, 64 bit operating
system or Apple device with OSX 10.6. Bootcamp
required with one of the above Windows
operating systems.
21” + external monitor per computer is required
Network
Must have wireless network connectivity
Must have wireless network connectivity
Other Basic
Software (go here
for a complete
listing of all
needed
software).
IE9 or later
Firefox 20 or later is recommended for optimal
utilization of the PLTW Learning Management
System (LMS)
Microsoft Office
NOTE: Open Office and Office 365 are not
supported at this time
IE9 or later
Firefox 20 or later is recommended for optimal
utilization of the PLTW Learning Management
System (LMS)
Microsoft Office
NOTE: Open Office and Office 365 are not
supported at this time
Operating System
NOTE 1: Under many circumstances an 802.11 wireless router will be needed in the classroom in order to use MIT App
Inventor with Android tablets and computers. Please test your unique classroom environment to ensure adequate wireless
access is in place. If you do need to make a wireless router purchase, please verify the selected router will allow adequate
simultaneous connections by contacting the manufacturer and discussing the number of devices that will be concurrently used.
NOTE 2: If you are offering ICS (Introduction to Computer Science) as part of the PLTW Gateway program, you can use the
PLTW Computer Science Program computer specifications on this page. Please note however that these specifications will
not be sufficient for use in any other PLTW Gateway courses.
Appendix C – Computer Specs
Page 3
Version 1 | Published January 30th, 2015
2015-16 Purchasing Manual Instructions
Elementary School PLTW Launch

PLTW Launch requires the use of iPads for students and each teacher will need a laptop and an iPad®.



Please see iPad® specifications below for PLTW Launch.
See our app listing for a list of the apps that need to be installed for PLTW Launch.
Apple configurator is a common tool used to configure multiple iPads at the same time. Schools may
want to consider using this tool in order to assist in iPad application management. NOTE: Apple
Configurator software is only available for use on a device with a MAC Operating System.
o
iPads are required for each teacher and for students at no more than a 4:1 student to iPad ® ratio
Supported Models
Screen Size
iPad® 2, iPad® mini, iPad® Retina, iPad® mini with Retina Display, and iPad® Air
7.9 inch or 9.7 inch display
On Board Storage
16 GB or greater
Operating System
iOS 8
Network
WIFI only

Please see laptop specifications below for PLTW Launch.
o Laptops are required for each teacher (1:1 ratio); students will use iPads only.
o A MacBook may be needed in order to assist teachers/IT staff in managing iPads (especially if you
plan to use Apple Configurator). Please consult with your IT department on how your
school/district currently manages (or plans manage) iPad® app installations and updates before
making iPad® or laptop purchases.
Specification
Processor
RAM
Minimum (for existing computers)
Intel® Core 2 Duo or i5 processor
4 GB min for 64 bit processor
Recommended (new purchases)
Intel® i5 processor
8 GB
Hard Drive
250 GB + Hard Drive
250 GB + Hard Drive
Video Card
Integrated Graphics
Integrated Graphics
Optical Drive
DVD-ROM Drive
Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, 64 bit operating
system or Apple device with OSX 10.6. Bootcamp
required with one of the above Windows
operating systems.
Must have wireless network connectivity
IE9 or later
Firefox 20 or later is recommended for optimal
utilization of the PLTW Learning Management
System (LMS)
Microsoft Office
NOTE: Open Office and Office 365 are not
supported at this time
DVD-ROM Drive
Operating
System
Network
Other Basic
Software (go
here for a
complete listing
of all needed
software).
Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, 64 bit
operating system or Apple device with
OSX 10.6. Bootcamp required with one of
the above Windows operating systems.
Must have wireless network connectivity
IE9 or later
Firefox 20 or later is recommended for
optimal utilization of the PLTW Learning
Management System (LMS)
Microsoft Office
NOTE: Open Office and Office 365 are not
supported at this time
Hardware decisions should be made in consultation with your IT department to
determine actual needs and/or other potential requirements for your school.
Appendix C – Computer Specs
Page 4
Version 1 | Published January 30th, 2015