Student Laptop Requirements

Hardware Specifications

There are three levels of technical specifications: minimum, mid-tier, and high-end. We provide configurations for both Windows and Apple computers. Only certain programs require mid-tier or high-end devices.

Minimum Laptop Specifications

Intel i5 or equivalent, dual core minimum, highest CPU speed available. 8GB RAM, 16 GB optional. SSD storage only, 250GB minimum, 500GB or higher optional. 13" HD display, larger screen based on user preference. Graphics capable of 1920x1080 resolution. Webcam, speakers, and microphone included. Wi-Fi required. Ethernet port optional. Several USB ports are recommended.

Mid-tier Laptop Specifications

Intel i7 or equivalent, dual core minimum, quad-core better, highest CPU speed available. 16GB RAM, 32 GB optional. SSD storage only, 500GB minimum, 1 TB or higher optional. 15" HD display, larger screen based on user preference. Graphics capable of 4K HDR resolution. Webcam, speakers, and microphone included. Wi-Fi required. Ethernet port optional. Several USB ports are recommended.

High-end Laptop Specifications

Intel i9 or equivalent, quad-core minimum, 6 core better, highest CPU speed available. 16GB RAM, 32 GB optional. SSD storage only 1 TB or higher optional. 15" HD display, larger screen based on user preference. Graphics capable of 4K HDR resolution. Webcam, speakers and microphone included. Wi-Fi required. Ethernet port optional. Several USB ports are recommended.
Minimum Laptop Specifications

MacBook Air 13", Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. 8GB unified memory, 256GB SSD storage, Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports.

Mid-tier Laptop Specifications

MacBook Pro 13", Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD storage, Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports.

High-end Laptop Specifications

MacBook Pro 16", 2.3GHz 8-core 9th-generation Intel i9 processor, turbo boost to 4.8GHz. 16GB RAM, AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB GDDR6 graphics memory, 1TB SSD storage, and Four Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Which Option is Best for You?

If you are unsure which option best fits your specific degree program, please speak with your faculty advisor or department chair. You can find department contact information in our office directory.