Device Hardware Requirements

Last Updated on June 25, 2026

Testing Devices

The Hardware requirements differ by Operating System as some OS’s are more lightweight than others. All testing devices should meet the minimum system requirements for a supported operating system. DRC recommends using the recommended system requirements for each OS as your device’s specifications for testing.

DRC no longer uses the CPU benchmark rating for determining supported devices and operating systems. When purchasing testing devices, make sure the device you’re considering meets the recommended hardware specifications for DRC INSIGHT and high-volume testing with media-rich and/or network-intensive content.

These hardware requirements apply to all device types and operating systems unless noted.

  • Processor
    • Must be able to support and reliably run a currently supported operating system version with enough resources available for DRC INSIGHT. Refer to Available Memory and Available Disk Space below.
  • Available Memory
  • Available Disk Space
    • Minimum/Recommended – 1 GB
  • Screen Size – Required – 9.5” or larger
  • Actual Screen Resolution – 1024 x 768 or better
  • Scale/Display Size – 100%
  • Network Connection – Wired or wireless network connection – 3 Mbps or better
  • Internet – Required
  • Power Supply
    • Minimum – Battery powered devices, a fully charged battery with a two-hour life
    • Recommended – Device plugged into a power supply
  • Headsets – Note: DRC does not test or endorse specific headset types or brands for use with DRC INSIGHT. Sites should work with their technology personnel to implement specific headset and microphone guidance.
    • Over-the-ear headphones are ideal but not required
    • Noise cancelling headphones and earbuds are acceptable
    • Bluetooth headphones and earbuds are acceptable, but Test Administrators need to ensure that they are not connected to a smartphone or any other peripheral devices
  • Headsets and Microphones for WIDA testing
    • WIDA testing requires a headset with a microphone. For more information, see “WIDA Access Online Headset Specifications” found in WIDA AMS, General Information under the Documents section.

COS Service Device

Hardware Requirements

These base hardware requirements apply to all device types and operating systems.

  • Processor
    • 4 CPU
  • Available Memory
    • 8 GB RAM or higher
  • Disk Space Needed for Installation
    • Minimum – 50 GB
    • Recommended
      • Basic Content: 100 GB or more
      • Network-Intensive Content: 200 GB or more
  • Free Disk Space
    • Recommended – 10 percent of the device’s total hard drive should remain as free space for optimal performance.
  • Network
    • Connected to the network through a wired connection

Examples of COS Service Device Configurations

The following table lists examples of device processor and memory configurations for a COS Service Device to support various numbers of concurrent testers. Sites are not limited to these configurations—they are listed to provide guidance regarding the scalability of COS Service Devices.

The table also lists the available shared network bandwidth required based on the number of concurrent testers. Shared bandwidth includes the Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Internet Service Provider (ISP) bandwidth. The bandwidth for each network segment should meet or exceed the minimum bandwidth listed in the last column of the table.

Shared bandwidth does not include the minimum bandwidth from the testing device to the network because that bandwidth is not shared by other testing devices. The minimum bandwidth from the testing device to the network is about 3-5 Mbps.

If a significant number of students will be accessing content that contains audio or visual items (Human Voice Audio, Text-To-Speech, Video Sign Language), follow the network-intensive guidelines in the table below.

Examples of device processor and memory configuration for a COS Service Device to support various numbers of concurrent testers using basic content.
Basic Content
(Number of concurrent testers)		 Number of Processors Available Memory Minimum Available Shared
Network Bandwidth for Top
End of Concurrent Testers Range
Up to 200 4 CPU 8 GB RAM 150 Mbps
Up to 400 8 CPU 8 GB RAM 400 Mbps
Up to 750 16 CPU 8 GB RAM 600 Mbps
Examples of device processor and memory configuration for a COS Service Device to support various numbers of concurrent testers using network-intensive content.
Network-Intensive Content
(Number of concurrent testers)		 Number of Processors Available Memory Minimum Available Shared
Network Bandwidth for Top
End of Concurrent Testers Range
Up to 100 4 CPU 8 GB RAM 150 Mbps
Up to 200 8 CPU 8 GB RAM 400 Mbps
Up to 500 16 CPU 8 GB RAM 600 Mbps

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