Minimum Hardware Standards/Recommendations for
Students 2024 ‐2025
All Majors excluding Architecture, Engineering, and Graphic Design | Engineering and Construction Computer Science* Management* |
Architecture* | Graphic Design | Higher‐End Computing, Gaming and/or Streaming Video | ||||
Operating System | Windows 11 | Apple | Windows 11 | Windows 11 | Windows 11 | Apple | Apple | Windows 11 |
Processor | Intel core i5 processor or better | Apple M2 Pro 8‐Core CPU, 10‐Core GPU or better | Intel core i5 processor or better | Intel core i7 processor 13th generation or better. Apple or Chromebooks will not be allowed. | Intel core i7 processor 13th generation or better |
Apple M2 Pro 8‐Core CPU, 10‐Core GPU or better. Apple no longer includes Boot Camp or supports Windows‐only software. |
Apple M2 Pro 12‐Core CPU, 18‐Core GPU or better | 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor (12‐Core, 25MB Cache, 3.6GHz to 4.9GHz) or better |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 32GB RAM |
Hard Drive Size | 512GB SSD storage | 512GB SSD storage | 512GB SSD storage | 512GB SSD storage | 1TB SSD storage | 1TB SSD storage | 512GB SSD storage | 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD |
Screen Size | No minimum standard‐ Student preference | No minimum standard‐ Student preference | No minimum standard‐ Student preference | 12.3" Minimum | No minimum standard‐ Student preference | No minimum standard‐ Student preference | 16‐inch Liquid Retina XDR display | No minimum standard‐ Student preference |
Network Card | 802.11ac/Wi‐Fi 6 | 802.11ac/Wi‐Fi 6 | 802.11ac/Wi‐Fi 6 | 802.11ac/Wi‐Fi 6 | 802.11ac/Wi‐Fi 6 | 802.11ac/Wi‐Fi 6 | 802.11ac/Wi‐Fi 6 | 802.11ac/Wi‐Fi 6 |
Graphics | 4GB Graphics Memory or better | 10‐core GPU Integrated or better | 4GB Graphics Memory or better | 4GB Graphics Memory or better | 8GB Graphics Memory or better | 10‐core GPU Integrated or better | 18‐core GPU Integrated or better | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 10GB or better |
*See Cummings School of Architecture Orientation Booklet for more detailed laptop and Apporto virtual desktop program information.