# Device & Internet Requirements

### **Broadband Internet**

You must have a reliable **broadband internet connection** with a minimum speed of **10 Mbps**. To check your internet speed, visit [Google's Internet Speed Test](https://www.google.com/search?q=internet+speed+test) tool. 

{% hint style="warning" %}
**An occasional internet outage is OK, but you will not be able to work with our tools if your connection is consistently unreliable**
{% endhint %}

***

### Uninterruptible Power Supply

**Especially in regions where power may be unreliable,** you should use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to mitigate power outage issues. This is a device that provides backup power to your machine when the main power source fails. These can be purchased from most electronics retailers.

***

### **Minimum System Requirements**

You must have a system meeting the following minimum specifications. [We will request your system specifications](/scholars/getting-started/system-data.md) as part of your onboarding process.

* **Processor:** Intel i5, Apple Silicon (M1/M2) or equivalent
* **Memory:** 8GB RAM or higher
* **Operating System:** Windows 11 or Apple MacBook 
* **Storage:** 256GB, with at least 50GB free space

***

### **Maintenance responsibilities**

You must ensure that your system is **kept up to date** and the latest **security patches** are applied to your system. If applicable, ensure all **software drivers** are up to date. 

***

### **Administrative Privileges**

**You should have Administrator privileges** on your system to ensure you can install any required iMerit applications without delay. Unsure? Check you have these privileges with the following steps:

#### **Windows**

1. **Access the Account Settings**
   * Click the **Start** button.
   * Type "**Control Panel**" (or "**Settings**" if you prefer the newer interface) and press **Enter**.
2. **Open User Accounts**
   * In Control Panel, click "**User Accounts**."
   * Look for an option like "**User Accounts**" or "**Manage another account**."
3. **Check Your Account Type**
   * Your account name will be listed, often with “Administrator” or “Standard” under it.
   * If you see “Administrator,” you have admin rights. If it says “Standard,” you do not.

**Alternate Method (Quick Check)**

* Right-click on the **Command Prompt** icon (or another program) and select “**Run as administrator**.”
* If you’re prompted for an administrator password, you likely don’t have admin privileges (or you need another admin user’s password).
* If it opens without a password prompt, you’re an administrator.

***

#### **macOS**

1. **Open System Settings/Preferences**
   * Click the **Apple menu** (🍏) in the top-left corner of your screen.
   * Choose "**System Settings**" (on macOS Ventura or later) or "**System Preferences**" (on older versions).
2. **Go to Users & Groups (or Users & Accounts)**
   * In System Settings, select "**Users & Groups**" (or "**Users & Accounts**" in newer versions).
3. **Select Your User Account**
   * Click your account name in the list.
   * Look under your username; if you see “**Admin**” or “**Allow user to administer this computer**” checked, you have administrative privileges.
   * If it says “**Standard**” (or the box for “Allow user to administer this computer” is not checked), you do not have admin rights.


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