On Campus

We want to provide reliable access to all Maranatha services for our students, faculty, staff, and guests. These computer configurations, or “technical specs,” are recommended for accessing Maranatha resources. Consider these guidelines when purchasing a new system, as well as when bringing your own computer to campus. Maranatha does also provide five computer labs that can be used as an alternative (or supplement) to having your own device, if you are on campus.

MyMaranatha

Every student will need a web browser to interact with MyMaranatha in order to complete their coursework. 

The most important aspects of the web browser you use are the type of browser and the version of the browser. As you begin classes make sure your browser is the most up to date version. You can contact IT support at 920-206-2322 or send an email to support@mbu.edu to obtain help in updating your browser.

A current version of the following Internet Browser types are fully supported:

• Google Chrome (recommended)
• Microsoft Edge
• Mozilla Firefox

At this time these browser types are not fully supported as they have known problems:

• Older versions of Safari
• Legacy Microsoft Edge
• Internet Explorer

What about using a tablet or phone to interact with MyMaranatha?

My Maranatha can be accessed via a tablet or phone but not every feature has been designed to interact with a phone or tablet. Taking an exam or a quiz would be best done on a laptop or computer.

Buying a Computer

When purchasing a new computer, there are a number of options to consider:

• What is your price range?
• Do you want a laptop or desktop system?
• Are you in the market for a Mac or Windows-based computer?
• Are you looking for a professional-grade computer or a consumer-grade computer?

We have suggestions that can be applied in different ways based on your answers to the above questions.

Laptop or Desktop?

When deciding between purchasing a desktop or a laptop, a few things to consider are:

Mac or Windows?

Maranatha IT supports both Windows and Mac computers. Some classes, however, require Windows-only applications. You can use one of Maranatha’s many lab computers or we can help you set up an application that will enable you to run Windows programs on your Mac.

Professional-grade or Consumer-grade?

Maranatha IT supports both types of computers. Professional-grade computers and laptops are typically more well built and may last longer. Consumer-grade computers and laptops are often cheaper but aren’t as well built and may not last as long. Examples of professional-grade computers include Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell Latitude or OptiPlex, HP Pro or ProBook, MacBook Pro, etc. Examples of Consumer-grade computers include Lenovo Ideapad, Dell Inspirion, and HP Pavilion, etc.

Traditional Hard Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD)?

Storage options fall into one of these two categories. A traditional hard drive will allow larger storage capacity at a lower price, but an SSD will operate much faster and will be less susceptible to failure. We highly recommend choosing an SSD if possible.

Microsoft Office?

All computers at Maranatha have Microsoft Office installed, but most students also want a copy for their personal computers. Students can install Office for free by logging in at https://portal.office.com with their MBU credentials (username@mbu.edu & Maranatha password).

What about mobile devices?

Apple iPad/Google Android tablets and other light-use portable computing devices (such as Chromebooks) are supported by Maranatha. Keep in mind, however, that these types of devices will not be able to install all the same software that would be available on a Mac or Windows computer, so you may be limited to primarily web-based tools (e.g., Microsoft Office web apps instead of the full version of Microsoft Office).

Suggestions for New Computers