A few weeks ago I borrowed a friend's computer for a few minutes. She has an older machine and is still using dial-up internet. Completing work that should take five minutes ended up taking four times as long.

If you're thinking about enrolling in an online class, a relatively up-to-date computer system is essential. Your computer doesn't need to be brand new. But, using slow or outdated components can make it difficult to accomplish work.

Online Education Database offers a list of suggested computer components for online learners. Here's a blurb:

"If a student already owns a computer, he/she should refer to this check list of items that he/she will need to have. Students may have to purchase more memory or upgrade their Microsoft Office software in order to take classes, but otherwise, they should already have what they will need. Most online colleges use the Microsoft platform instead of Mac. This may be a problem for some students. They should check with admissions before enrolling in any online program."

Check out the link for the complete list.