System requirements / computer specs
Optimum computer specs
Dragon is resource hungry software — it requires a fast processor and plenty of RAM to work well. That is, with a high level of recognition accuracy and a reasonable speed. A solid-state hard drive will also help, but is not essential.
Why does Dragon require a high spec computer?
Each time you speak to Dragon, it processes the digitised speech information through an acoustic model as well as a probability model, in order to interpret what you are saying. This requires a lot of computing power.
How well Dragon performs will depend on what you are doing on the computer including how many applications you have open, how large the documents are etc.
Both processor speed and RAM will affect Dragon's performance. If you want Dragon to run fast, and with a high level of recognition accuracy, generally speaking the faster the processor and the more RAM, the better Dragon will work.
The specifications recommended below are for optimum performance. You can use Dragon on a less powerful computer. However depending on your computing tasks, Dragon might work more slowly and with a lower level of recognition accuracy. Using Dragon on a computer that does not have adequate specs can be a very frustrating experience, with frequent delays and freezing.
If using speech recognition software in the workplace, you will be able to work more efficiently by voice, and with less frustration if you have a computer with optimum specs for running Dragon, rather than minimum specs.
Recommended specs:
Processor — an Intel i7 processor with speed of 3 GHz or faster (or equivalent)
RAM — 16 GB
Hard drive — solid-state is recommended but not essential
USB ports
The microphone will work best when plugged directly into the computer rather than a USB hub or docking station. If purchasing a laptop, it’s best to choose one that has at least one USB port free for the microphone.
A laptop with two USB ports is recommended. You can use one port for the microphone, and use a USB hub in the other port for keyboard and mouse.
The second USB port might not be required if using a docking station, however there might be times when you are using your laptop away from the docking station.
Why does Dragon require a high spec computer?
Each time you speak to Dragon, it processes the digitised speech information through an acoustic model as well as a probability model, in order to interpret what you are saying. This requires a lot of computing power.
How well Dragon performs will depend on what you are doing on the computer including how many applications you have open, how large the documents are etc.
Both processor speed and RAM will affect Dragon's performance. If you want Dragon to run fast, and with a high level of recognition accuracy, generally speaking the faster the processor and the more RAM, the better Dragon will work.
The specifications recommended below are for optimum performance. You can use Dragon on a less powerful computer. However depending on your computing tasks, Dragon might work more slowly and with a lower level of recognition accuracy. Using Dragon on a computer that does not have adequate specs can be a very frustrating experience, with frequent delays and freezing.
If using speech recognition software in the workplace, you will be able to work more efficiently by voice, and with less frustration if you have a computer with optimum specs for running Dragon, rather than minimum specs.
Recommended specs:
Processor — an Intel i7 processor with speed of 3 GHz or faster (or equivalent)
RAM — 16 GB
Hard drive — solid-state is recommended but not essential
USB ports
The microphone will work best when plugged directly into the computer rather than a USB hub or docking station. If purchasing a laptop, it’s best to choose one that has at least one USB port free for the microphone.
A laptop with two USB ports is recommended. You can use one port for the microphone, and use a USB hub in the other port for keyboard and mouse.
The second USB port might not be required if using a docking station, however there might be times when you are using your laptop away from the docking station.