How to check a public PC's basic capabilities

You need to use a public computer for a class, video call, document, or other task, but you don't know what it can handle. A quick check can show the processor, graphics, screen, and some network details without installing anything.

Use the System Info tool for the computer's basic details, then check Browser Info if the task depends on a particular browser feature. These reports show what the browser can access, not everything the computer can do.

Check the PC before you start

Open the System Info tool in the public computer's browser. It reports details such as the processor, graphics, screen, battery, and network that the browser can read.
Compare the visible details with the requirements for your task. For example, check that the screen resolution is adequate for a presentation or that the computer has the kind of graphics support a web app asks for.
Open Browser Info if a website or web app is not working. Check the browser version, supported features, codecs, and permissions it reports.
If your task depends on a reliable internet connection, check it while the computer is in the same location and network you will use. The System Info network details are not a speed measurement. Use the Speed Test if you need to measure download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter.

Don't install anything or change settings on a shared PC unless the owner or administrator allows it. You can make a private note of the details you need, but avoid saving a report or leaving personal information on the computer.

What the result means

The processor and graphics are listed

This confirms that the browser can report some information about the computer's processor and graphics. It does not prove that a demanding task will run smoothly. Browser-based reports are not a complete hardware inventory, and performance also depends on the workload, power settings, heat, and other programs running at the same time.

For a task with specific minimum requirements, compare the listed details with those requirements. If the report does not show an exact model or the website still fails, ask the computer's administrator rather than guessing.

The screen details look suitable

The reported resolution describes the screen area available to the browser. It does not tell you whether the display has accurate colors, is easy to read, or is configured the way your task needs. Check the actual screen and any app-specific display requirements before you begin.

Network details appear, but you are unsure about the connection

A browser can report some network information, but that alone does not show whether a connection is fast or stable enough for a call or upload. A speed test gives a snapshot of performance at that moment. Public Wi-Fi may also become slower when more people use it.

A field is missing, rounded, or says it is unavailable

The browser may not be allowed to access that detail, or the computer may not have the relevant hardware. For example, Battery Meter data is available only when the browser reports a battery, so a desktop PC normally won't show it. If memory appears, treat it as a rough hint: browsers can report a rounded RAM amount, not the exact installed capacity.

What to do if a feature is unavailable

Check that you are using the intended browser. Open Browser Info and look at the browser version and supported features. A web app may need a newer browser or a feature that the installed browser does not support. On a managed public computer, ask staff before trying another browser.
Reload the page once. A temporary browser problem can prevent a report or web app from loading. Don't repeatedly refresh if you are in the middle of a form or task that has unsaved work.
Ask before changing permissions. If a task needs a camera or microphone, the browser may ask for permission. On a public PC, don't grant access unless you trust the site and have permission to use the device. Browser permissions are usually controlled from the icon beside the address bar.
Ask an administrator about system settings. On Windows 11, camera and microphone access are under Settings › Privacy & security › Camera and Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone. On macOS, they are under System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera and System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone. Don't change these settings on a shared computer without approval.
Try a different approved computer or network. If the task still cannot run, the browser may be restricted, the computer may lack a needed feature, or the public network may block part of the service. Staff can tell you what is permitted and whether another computer is available.

What a browser report cannot confirm

A report from a website is not the same as a full diagnostic or an administrator's hardware inventory. Browser privacy settings, operating system restrictions, and the browser itself limit what a page can inspect. The report also cannot guarantee that you can install software, connect USB devices, save files, or access a particular website on a public computer.

Use the details as a quick check, not as proof that the PC meets every requirement. When a task is important, test the exact website or app you need, and ask the computer's owner or staff about restrictions before you rely on it.

When you finish, sign out of your accounts, close your tabs, and don't leave downloaded files or personal notes on the shared computer.