Computer Requirements for Online Learning
You should have a basic understanding of your computer and a basic understanding of browsers and the Microsoft Office applications. Computer requirements may change depending on which course and which applications are being used.Â
Not Recommended
Work assigned computers (often setup to restrict which networks and software you can use. We don't recommend using a work assigned computer unless you have admin permissions. Most company VPN do not work on RRU network)
Chromebooks (RRU Office 365 license not available on Chromebooks)
Mobile Devices (Tablets can be used for most basic tasks, however you might find some of the more complicated tasks difficult to perform on a tablet)
Recommended Computer Requirements:
 | Windows |  Mac |
Operating System | Windows 10+ Â | Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey (Microsoft only provides Office 365 support for the 3 latest versions of MacOS.) SPSS requires macOS Catalina 10.15 or Big Sur 11 |
Processor | 4-Cores+, 2Ghz+ | 4-Cores+, 2Ghz+ |
Memory (RAM) | 16GB+ | 16GB+ |
Web Browser | ||
Office Suite | Microsoft Office 365 (RRU offers MS Office 365 free to all staff, faculty, associate faculty and students that are actively studying in a credit program) | Microsoft Office 365 (RRU offers MS Office 365 free to all staff, faculty, associate faculty and students that are actively studying in a credit program) |
Antivirus | ||
Internet Service | 5Mbps Download / 5Mbps Upload - https://speed.cloudflare.com/ Please note that it is strongly recommended that you have access to Internet from home. Expecting to access your course from your work internet or a public network like a library or coffee shop is not practical due to the high volume and tight deadlines that you can expect in some courses | 5Mbps Download / 5Mbps Upload - https://speed.cloudflare.com/ Please note that it is strongly recommended that you have access to Internet from home. Expecting to access your course from your work internet or a public network like a library or coffee shop is not practical due to the high volume and tight deadlines that you can expect in some courses |
Peripherals | Headset with microphone Webcam | Headset with microphone Webcam |
E-Mail Capability | Access to e-mail through an e-mail program or web-based e-mail system - Recommended: Gmail Please see our information regarding government and Microsoft accounts. | Access to e-mail through an e-mail program or web-based e-mail system - Recommended: Gmail Please see our information regarding government and Microsoft accounts. |
Recommended Hardware when in residence |
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Other* |
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Mobile Devices* |
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Minimum Computer Requirements:
 | Windows |  Macintosh |
Operating System | Recommended: Windows 8 or higher (Chromebook not recommended as some external tools do not have Chromebook related apps) (Linux not recommended unless extremely familiar with it's usage or Windows Emulator) (See comment below about mobile devices) | Recommended:Â One of the 3 most recent releases (Microsoft Office 365 can only guarantee support on the current release of Mac OS, plus two previous versions. Older versions may work, but may have issues) (IOS not recommended as some external tools do not have iOS related apps, See comment below about mobile devices) |
Processor | Recommended: 1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core | Recommended: Intel processor |
Memory (RAM) | Recommended: 4 GB+ | Recommended: 4 GB+ |
Internet Browser | Recommended: Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge Please note that Internet Explorer is no longer supported. | Recommended: Chrome or Firefox Please note that Internet Explorer is no longer supported. |
Office Suite | Required:Â | Required:Â |
Antivirus | Recommended: See Top Antivirus for Windows | Recommended: See Top Antivirus for Mac |
Recommended: Windows Defender (free) or MalwareBytes | Recommended: MalwareBytes | |
Internet Service | Recommended:Â Please note that it is strongly recommended that you have access to Internet from home. Expecting to access your course from your work internet or a public network like a library or coffee shop is not practical due to the high volume and tight deadlines that you can expect in some courses | Recommended:Â Please note that it is strongly recommended that you have access to Internet from home. Expecting to access your course from your work internet or a public network like a library or coffee shop is not practical due to the high volume and tight deadlines that you can expect in some courses |
Peripherals | Microphone: Recommend headset with microphone to limit background noise Webcam: Recommend 320X240 VGA resolution minimum | Microphone: Recommend headset with microphone to limit background noise Webcam: Recommend 320X240 VGA resolution minimum |
E-Mail Capability | Access to e-mail through an e-mail program or web-based e-mail system - Recommended: Gmail Please see our information regarding government and Microsoft accounts. | Access to e-mail through an e-mail program or web-based e-mail system - Recommended: Gmail Please see our information regarding government and Microsoft accounts. |
Recommended Hardware when in residence |
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Other* |
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Mobile Devices* |
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*RRU does not endorse nor support the 3rd party applications listed above. The apps and software listed above are suggestions only and should be used at your own discretion.
Important Information
Some courses may have additional and/or alternate computer requirements. Please check with the academic department for your program.
If you will be accessing your course through your employer's network, please check with your work's IT department to verify computer and network access. As noted above Internet Explorer is no longer supported. If that is the only browser allowed at your company, you will be unable to access most of your course information while at your company.
Downloadable Copy -
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How to Contact the Computer Services Department
Submit a ticket
To submit a ticket, you will be required to log in using your FULL Royal Roads email address (detailed instructions here)
New! If you do not have a full RRU email address (students not currently in a credit program and/or visitors), you can create a portal account using your personal email address.
Email us at IT Customer Service
Contact Form
Phone: 250-391-2659 Toll Free: 1-866-808-5429
Come visit us in the Sequoia Building
Hours of Operation