Minimum Hardware Specifications for University Computers

All University computers must meet the minimum system requirements below in order to be re-imaged and/or repaired by ITAC:

Android Devices

  • All Android devices will not meet ITAC's minimum system requirements for re-imaging and/or repair. ITAC will not take responsibility for providing hardware or software support for any Android devices.
  • If a department or a member of a department needs one or more tablets for their use, ITAC recommends that a supported Microsoft Surface device, Windows - Flexible Use Laptop/Convertible Tablet device or Apple iPad tablet be purchased instead of an Android device. Please refer to the Apple iPad Tablets & Microsoft Surface Devices sections below for more information regarding these options. For the Windows - Flexible Use Laptop/Convertible Tablet device, please refer to the ITAC Standard Windows Laptops web page.

Apple Computers

  • At this time, ITAC can only perform hardware repairs on Apple computers that do not appear on the Apple Vintage & Obsolete Products list.
  • At this time, ITAC can only re-image Apple computers that meet the minimum system requirements for Mac OS X 10.15 (Catalina) or higher.
  • Before ITAC can begin working on any Apple computer, Find My Mac must be TURNED OFF.

How to Determine the Model & Year of your Apple Computer.

Apple iPad Tablets

  • All Apple iPad tablets will not meet the minimum system requirements for installing any version of Mac OS X. Provided that there are no hardware problems, ITAC should be able to perform a Factory Restore of iOS on all Apple iPad tablets.
    • If ITAC is not able to log into the Apple iPad tablet, then it will not be possible to recover the customer's files.
  • All Apple iPad tablets can not be repaired by ITAC. If these tablets are still under warranty, Apple will replace the tablet. Apple will not repair the damaged tablet & return it to ITAC.
    • Before a Apple iPad tablet is sent in for replacement, ITAC must verify that the tablet has been encrypted per UPPS 04.01.11. If the Apple iPad tablet has not been encrypted, either the customer will need to encrypt the tablet or ITAC will attempt to encrypt the tablet before it can be returned to Apple for a replacement tablet.
    • If the Apple iPad tablet can not be encrypted due to any failure (hardware, software or both), the department requesting that the tablet be replaced under Apple warranty must obtain approval from the Information Security Office before ITAC can proceed with the warranty replacement process.
    • All warranty replacements for Apple iPad tablets must be facilitated by ITAC.
  • Jamf Pro can be installed on Apple iPad tablets & the devices can be managed by Jamf Pro & Apple School Manager.
    • If the customer wishes to have Jamf Pro installed, there is an additional cost of $9 per license per year for this software & the customer will need to submit the Apple Mobile Device Management License Purchase Request form to begin the purchasing process.
    • When Jamf Pro has been installed & the iPad has been added to Apple School Manager, Apps from the Mac App Store that do not cost extra can be deployed to the Apple iPad tablet. If the customer wishes to have Apps from the Mac App Store deployed to the iPad that cost extra, then the customer must submit a Software License Purchase Request form & the request will need to be reviewed by the IT Business Office & Information Security Office.
    • Before ITAC can begin working on any Apple iPad tablet, Find My Mac must be TURNED OFF.

Google Chrome Devices

  • All Google Chrome devices will not meet ITAC's minimum system requirements for re-imaging and/or repair. ITAC will not take responsibility for providing hardware or software support for any Google Chrome device.

 Linux & Unix OS Devices

  • ITAC can only perform hardware repairs on these devices provided they meet our minimum system requirements. ITAC does not provide software support for any Linux Distribution or any version of Unix.

Microsoft Surface Devices

  • All Microsoft Surface devices will need to be checked to be verified that they meet minimum system requirements for re-imaging.
    • No Microsoft Surface Devices with ARM processors (example: Microsoft Surface Pro X) will meet the minimum system specifications for the Windows 10 or 11  TX State image & will be supported on a best effort basis only.
  • All Microsoft Surface devices can not be repaired by ITAC. If these devices are still under warranty, Microsoft will replace the devices. Microsoft will not repair the damaged devices & return them to ITAC.
    • Before a Microsoft Surface device is sent in for replacement, ITAC must verify that the device has been encrypted per UPPS 04.01.11. If the Microsoft Surface device has not been encrypted, either the customer will need to encrypt the device or ITAC will attempt to encrypt the device before it can be returned to Microsoft for a replacement device.
    • If the Microsoft Surface device can not be encrypted due to any failure (hardware, software or both), the department requesting that the device be replaced under Microsoft warranty must obtain approval from the Information Security Office before ITAC can proceed with the warranty replacement process.
    • If ITAC is not able to log into the Microsoft Surface device, then it will not be possible to recover the customer's files without destroying the device & voiding any remaining warranty on the device.
  • All warranty replacements for Microsoft Surface devices must be facilitated by ITAC.

Windows Computers

Beginning May 1, 2023, all newly purchased Windows computers will receive the Windows 11 Texas State image. Any university-owned compatible computer that is checked-in to ITAC for a repair service that includes a reimage will receive the Windows 11 Texas State image.

ITAC will continue to support Windows 10 & the Windows 10 Texas State image will be available until Microsoft ends the support for Windows 10. At this time, the current end of support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025. Microsoft determines this date & it is subject to change at any time.

All Windows 10 computers must meet the minimum hardware requirements listed below to be re-imaged and/or repaired by ITAC.

  • Processor: The processor must be at least an AMD Ryzen processor, an AMD Threadripper processor, or a 6th Generation or newer Intel iCore processor. Windows computers that have Intel Xeon processors will need to be checked in to verify the age of the processor before continuing.
  • RAM: The computer must have at least 8 GB or more of RAM.
  • Hard Drive/Solid State Drive: The hard drive or solid-state drive installed in this computer must be at least 200 GB or greater.
  • Video Graphics: The video card or on-board video graphics processor must be compatible with DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
  • TPM Chip: A Trusted Platform Module Chip must be installed & working correctly.

All Windows 11 computers must meet the minimum hardware requirements listed below to be re-imaged and/or repaired by ITAC. 

These requirements are subject to change & are based on the minimum hardware requirements determined by Microsoft.

  • Processor: The processor must be at least a 2nd generation or newer Ryzen processor, a 2nd generation or newer AMD Threadripper processor, or a 8th Generation or newer Intel iCore processor. Windows computers that have a Intel Xeon processor will need to be checked in to verify the compatibility of the processor with Windows 11 before work can begin.
  • RAM: The computer must have at least 8 GB or more of RAM.
  • Hard Drive/Solid State Drive: The hard drive or solid-state drive installed in this computer must be at least 200 GB or greater.
  • Video Graphics: The video card or on-board video graphics processor must be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
  • TPM Chip: A Trusted Platform Module 2.0 Chip must be installed & working correctly.
  • System Firmware: The computer must UEFI & Secure Boot capable. These settings must be turned on in BIOS.
  • Display: The computer's display must be a high definition (720p) display or better & it must be greater than 9” diagonally with 8 bits per color channel.

How to Determine What Kind of Processor & How Much RAM is Installed on a Windows Computer.
How to Determine the Amount of Total Storage Space on a Windows Computer.

Current List of Supported & Unsupported Dell Windows Computers.

 

PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL UNIVERSITY COMPUTERS: At this time, ITAC is only authorized to perform warranty & non-warranty hardware repairs on Apple & Dell computers, HP printers, & warranty replacements on Microsoft Surface devices & Apple iPad tablets. ITAC is not authorized to perform warranty & non-warranty hardware repairs on computers from any other manufacturer & custom built computers.

CAUTION: At this time, ITAC imaging & re-imaging services are only available for University Apple, Dell & HP computers, & University Microsoft devices. Imaging & re-imaging services for University computers from any other manufacturer & custom built computers will be done on a best effort basis & will incur additional costs.