Welcome to our laptop buying guide and accessory recommendation guide. Please note that this is not a guide for purchasing desktop computers, as they suffer much fewer endemic hardware limitations than laptops. If you have questions about purchasing a desktop to run iMotions, please consult this page.

Can I run iMotions on a laptop?

The short answer is, yes. However, there are several things to keep in mind and ensure the desired laptops include overall specifications, ports, and the right kind of monitor. That way you can ensure that iMotions runs as smoothly as we intend it to.

In order to run iMotions and accompanying biosensors smoothly, purchasing the right equipment is essential. In this computer buying guide, we will go through a number of things to take into consideration when purchasing laptops, monitors, and hardware accessories.

Buying the right laptop for iMotions

Running iMotions requires a fair amount of computing power, and it is important to be aware of how much power a projected sensor hardware setup needs.

That is especially true when looking to purchase a laptop as a dedicated iMotions research laptop. That is why we generally recommend desktops computers for several reasons unless there is a specific need for portability:

You will pay extra for a laptop with the same specs as a desktop.
Laptops do not cool as effectively and that can limit performance
Desktops can be upgraded as they age prolonging their useful lifespans
Desktops generally have more ports for sensors and peripherals.

Recommended Specifications and Laptop Buying Guide

Minimum Requirements

Operating System	Windows 11
RAM	Minimum: 32GB Recommended: 32GB+
CPU	Minimum: Intel i7 Generation 10 or newer, (Core Ultra 7), min. 6 cores Recommended: Intel i9 Generation 10 or newer, min. 10 cores *no qualcomm snapdragon cpus until further notice
Storage	Recommended: 1TB NVMe SSD
Graphics Card	Minimum: Dedicated GPU (NVIDIA, AMD) 4GB VRAM Recommended: NVIDIA RTX or Quadro 8GB+ VRAM Automated AOI: Requires NVIDIA RTX card of a compute capability of 6 or greater, RTX 3050 or better* – consult your CSM.*

Recommended Setup

Monitor	Resolution: 1920×1080 is recommended. Screens can usually be down scaled in settings. Monitor size is dependent on eye trackers – usually between 22” – 25” for desktops. 14″ – 17,3″ for Laptops, 2nd monitor is recommended when possible, try to keep the monitor the same resolution and aspect ratio as the computer (1920×1080 and 16:9 recommended)
Web Browsers	Chrome, Firefox, MS Edge
Webcamera	USB Webcam (We recommend Logitech HD Pro C920)
USB Ports	USB C, USB 3, or higher. (If using a USB hub, only use powered hubs)
Internet Connection	WiFi. Ethernet/LAN required for BIOPAC MP160/MP200, Smart Eye Pro, and Cedrus Stimtracker.
Bluetooth	Bluetooth V4.0 or higher. Because the built-in bluetooth antenna often isn’t powerful enough for reliably data collection, we recommend using a bluetooth dongle like the Sena Bluetooth USB Adapter Parani UD100.

Recommended Setup for VR with Varjo XR-4 and Automated AOI’s

Operating System	Windows 11 64 bit
RAM	Recommended: 32GB+
CPU	Recommended: Premium 8-core CPU 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900K or newer 4th Gen Intel Xeon w5-2455X 8-core or better AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Storage	Recommended: 1TB NVMe SSD
Graphics Card	Recommended: NVIDIA RTX or Quadro 12GB+ VRAM RTX 3090/4080 or better.
USB	1 x 10 Gbps USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 or USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 The USB port must be directly connected to the chipset. Alternatively, required USB connectivity can be achieved with a compatible PCIe expansion card.

USB/Port recommendations

USB Ports: Depending on the sensor setup you want to use, a certain number of USB ports will be needed to connect the devices as well as any peripherals you want to include. Many research designs use external monitors and input devices for subjects to respond on and these will require USB as well.

USB Speed and Power: In addition to the number of ports the speed of the port is also important. Some devices such as eye trackers have minimal requirements for USB speed and power.

Not all USB ports are equal even if the physical connector is the same computer can have multiple different USB types(USB 2.0,3.1…) Make sure your laptop has the minimum number of correct USB types you need for your setup.

USB Hubs

While USB hubs are a convenient way to expand connectivity, they frequently introduce data bottlenecks and power instability that can compromise the integrity of biometric sensor data. Understanding the underlying “shared resource” nature of USB is essential for a stable lab setup.

The Problem: Shared Bandwidth and Bus Congestion

Most computers—especially modern laptops—utilize a single Internal USB Host Controller to manage multiple physical ports. This means all connected devices share a single “data lane” (the Bus).

Data Congestion: High-bandwidth sensors (like eye trackers or HD webcams) can saturate the bus. When a hub is added, you are forcing multiple high-speed streams through a single port’s worth of bandwidth, leading to dropped packets, increased latency, or “Device Not Recognized” errors.
Power Sag: Sensors like the Smart Eye or Tobii systems require a stable voltage. Passive hubs (bus-powered) draw power from the laptop to distribute to peripherals, often leading to a voltage drop that causes sensors to disconnect or underperform.

Strategic Recommendations for Hub Usage

If your hardware configuration necessitates the use of a hub, adhere to the following hierarchy:

Prioritize Biometric Sensors: Always connect primary sensors (Eye Trackers, EEG, GSR) directly to the laptop’s onboard ports.
Offload Peripherals: Use the hub exclusively for low-bandwidth “Human Interface Devices” (HID) such as keyboards, mice, or license dongles.
Active Power is Mandatory: Only use Active (Powered) Hubs that come with their own external DC power adapter. This ensures the hub provides a consistent 5V to every port regardless of the laptop’s power state.Note: This also applies to USB extension cables; use “Active” repeater cables for distances over 5 meters.
Isolate USB Monitors: DisplayLink or USB-powered monitors consume massive amounts of bandwidth and power. They should always occupy their own dedicated port on the machine, never a hub shared with sensors.

The Importance of Cable Quality

The physical cable is often the weakest link in the data chain. Even with a high-quality hub, a poor cable can introduce Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and signal degradation.

Shielding: Use cables with high-quality copper and internal shielding to prevent crosstalk between data lines.
Gauge (AWG): For power-hungry sensors, look for cables with a lower AWG rating (thicker wires), which reduces electrical resistance over distance.
Avoid “Cheap” Solutions: Budget cables often lack the necessary shielding and precision-twisted pairs required to maintain the timing accuracy needed for millisecond-precise biometric synchronization.

Expert Tip: If you are experiencing intermittent sensor disconnects in iMotions, the first troubleshooting step should always be to bypass the hub and connect the sensor directly to the PC to isolate the bus as the point of failure.

Wireless and Bluetooth recommendations

Almost every modern laptop will have Wifi and Bluetooth built internally. But if you are using multiple devices that require high bandwidth such as Shimmers, or EEG, investing in a high quality bluetooth dongle is essential to ensure your data collection can happen without problems. We recommend using a bluetooth dongle like the Sena Bluetooth USB Adapter Parani UD100, which not only provides a reliable signal, but also dramatically increases the range of which data can be transmitted across.

Built-in and external monitor recommendations

Eye tracker clearance: If you are using a screen-based eye tracker you will need to attach it to the bottom of the test monitor. Depending on which eye tracker you need to have somewhere to mount the tracker. Some newer laptops have a very thin bezel that won’t accommodate certain eye trackers. Be sure to select one that has space on the bottom for the eye tracker.

Size and Resolution: If you are using a screen-based eye tracker, monitors between 15-24 inches work best. This varies from eye tracker to eye tracker so be sure to check your eye tracker for specific details.

Curved Monitors: As a rule, we do not recommend them.

Monitor Setup: We recommend that all monitors in a specific research setup are identical, or as a minimum has identical resolution aspect ratios (height to width). That way you ensure that things look consistent between the researcher and the subject.

Also, be sure to run both screens at the same resolution – usually 1080p.

We hope this computer buying guide was helpful. If you have a question we did not answer satisfactorily, please reach out to our solutions experts here:

NB: Please note that iMotions is not a computer reseller and, aside from purchasing requirements in specific grants, laptops and desktops must be purchased by the customer/user.