While both the “you don’t need one” and the minimum requirements are factually correct, they would be very poor choices, IMHO.
No one wants to go to a computer room on campus every time they have homework, need to check email, want to surf the web, etc.
A ‘minimum’ computer will be very slow and possibly unable to deal with latest software releases in 2-3 years.
I did for my daughter what I do at home. A high end, but not extreme, unit that will comfortably last 4+ years. For me, that’s an i7 processor , 16GB of RAM and at least 256 GB solid state drive. I think it was $1200’ish 2 years ago.
And get the complete care/next-day/on site 4 year service. My D dropped hers and they replaced the lower cover, hinges, motherboard in a few days on site. One of her roommates didn’t, and she was without a laptop for 3 weeks.
And don’t owe backup software - I stuck with Carbonite even after their changes.
There are many options - ours was from Dell.