Required Computer Equipment

The computer requirements for Distance Calculus are pretty simple. Any Macintosh less than ~20 years old, or any Windows PC less than ~10 years old, will do the job. You do not need a high-powered computer, a giant external hard drive, a huge screen, or any specialty hardware. A regular computer with a regular amount of disk space - plus a normal household internet connection that can stream video - is all you need.

The Short Version

• Mac, Windows, or Chromebook: take your pick.
• The LiveMath software runs on all Macs (Intel and Apple Silicon - M1, M2, M3, M4), all Windows 10/11 machines, and now Chromebooks.
• Smartphones and tablets are great companions for parts of the course but cannot replace a real computer for the main coursework, because the LiveMath software requires Mac, Windows, or Chromebook.
• More platforms for LiveMath are planned for the future. Until those ship, one of the three above is required.

Desktop or Laptop - Either Is Fine

Either form factor works. If you have a laptop with a very small screen, you already know that working through long mathematical notebooks on a small display is harder than it needs to be - this might be a good moment to look at a slightly larger screen, but it is not a hard requirement.

Disk Space

You don't need a lot of disk space, but you need some. Modern computers usually have plenty - but we have heard from students who only have 5 GB available on their laptop, and that is genuinely not enough. Plan for at least 50 to 100 GB free. If you can't get there with a clean-up, that's usually a sign that it's time for a newer machine (which will come with a much larger drive anyway).

Memory (RAM)

LiveMath does not need a tremendous amount of memory. 16 GB to 32 GB is more than enough. The software will also run on a 4 GB Chromebook or an 8 GB Windows machine; if you're in that lower category, just know those machines are a notch slower than their better-specced siblings, so your mileage will vary.

Skill-Level Requirement

The minimum computer knowledge required is the ability to send and receive email and to use a web browser. If you can do those (and almost everyone can), you're ready. The course teaches you everything else you need to know about the software - the goal of the course is to learn calculus, not to learn your computer (though you'll naturally get more comfortable with it along the way).

Detailed Specs (For Those Who Want Them)

• Recent Operating System
  
  • Windows: Windows 11, 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP
  • Macintosh:
    Freshman Calculus Courses: LiveMath Software
    
    • MacOSX 10.4 - OSX 10.14 (Mojave) - LiveMath 3.6 runs great! (Don't upgrade past Mojave if you can!)
    • > MacOSX 14 (Mac Silicon and Mac Intel: Sonoma, Sequoia)
      We have a NEW BETA VERSION of LiveMath 4 for Mac Silicon!!!! The instructor will provide access to this new LiveMath 4 beta.
    Sophomore Calculus Courses: Mathematica Desktop Software
    The requirements for Mathematica vary, but Mathematica works on all newer Macs older than 2015
  • Linux PCs: Ubuntu (and only for the brave!)

   

• Chromebook Support: NEW
  
  • LiveMath now ships a native Chromebook version, so Chromebooks are a fully supported platform for the freshman calculus courses.
  • Mathematica (used in some sophomore-level courses) is still not supported on ChromeOS.

   

• Computer Algebra Software
  Freshman Distance Calculus courses use the LiveMath™ software, which you may download and run the free 30-day demo to try it out! (For Mac, Windows, and Linux) [Note: some courses use the Mathematica™ software, which is a bit more "computer intensive" in terms of its minimum requirements.]

• Web Browser: Firefox or Chrome
  Distance Calculus courses rely upon the Firefox web browser. (If you are Windows user, and hooked on using IE/Edge, we will need to gently expand your horizons to Firefox or Chrome) [Mac users: Safari does not work with our system, so you need to move to Firefox or Chrome]

• PDF Software (Acrobat Reader or ...)
  Some files used in the Distance Calculus courses utilize the PDF format. Free software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader is sufficient to viewing the PDF files. [Note: Mac users have built-in PDF with the Preview application.]

• Webcam, Microphone & Speakers
  Nearly all newer computers - especially laptops - have a webcam, microphone, and speakers. In case you are using an older (desktop) computer that does not have these devices attached, you will need to add them to your setup.
  While we do not offer "zoom sessions" for course help, we do use webcams for Skype Video for the proctored final exams.

• Available Hard Drive Space
  Plan for at least 50-100 GB free. Lecture movies and software take up some space, and running with only a few GB available causes performance and install problems.

• High-Speed Internet
  Nearly everyone has high-speed internet today.