Tech Requirements for New Students
Processor (CPU):
Microsoft Windows
64-bit Mobile processors:
- Intel 12 th (Alder Lake) i3 – i9 or 11 th (Tiger Lake) i3 – i9 generation mobile processors
- AMD 3000 or 2000 series mobile processors
64-bit Desktop processors:
- Intel 13 th (Raptor Lake) i3 – i9 or 12 th (Alder Lake) i3 – i9 generation desktop processors
- AMD 7000 or 5000 series desktop processors
- Minimum Requirement: 2.0 GHz
- Recommended: 3.0 GHz or faster
- *Intel is now on the 13 th generation Desktop chips and 12 th generation Mobile chips: Core i9, Core i7, Core i5, Core i3. In most portable devices they are not upgradable and Application system requirements vary. Check the applications for your classes before purchasing.
- *AMD is now on the 7000 series Desktop chips and 3000 series Mobile chips: In most portable devices they are not upgradable and Application system requirements vary. Check the applications for your classes before purchasing.
Apple macOS
Intel:
- Minimum: 2 GHz
- Recommended: 3Hz or faster
*Apple no longer makes computers with Intel Chips in them. If you purchase one with an Intel chip, make sure they Operating system will be supported throughout your college career.
Apple M Series Chipset Configurations:
- M1– CPU: 8 cores, GPU: 7or 8 cores
- M1 Pro – CPU: 8 or 10 cores, GPU: 14 or 16 cores
- M1 Pro Max – CPU 10 cores, GPU: 24 or 32 cores
- M1 Ultra– CPU 20 cores, GPU: 48 or 64 cores
- M2– CPU: 8 cores, GPU: 8 or 10 cores
- M2 Pro – CPU: 10 or 12 cores, GPU: 16 or 19 cores
- M2 Max – CPU 12 cores, GPU: 30 or 38 cores
- M2 Ultra– CPU 24 cores, GPU: 60 or 76 cores
- M3– CPU: 8 cores, GPU: 8 or 10 cores
- M3 Pro – CPU: 11 or 12 cores, GPU: 14 or 18 cores
- M3 Max – CPU 14 or 16 cores, GPU: 30 or 40 cores
*There are Apple Inc’s newest chips, and you pick the configured specification of CPU cores and GPU cores when you purchase their computers. They are not upgradable and Application system requirements vary for Mac. Check the applications for your classes before purchasing.
Monitor Size:
- Laptop: 13″ screen or larger.
- Desktop: 19″ monitor or larger, dual-monitor capable video card.
Storage:
- Minimum Requirement: 500GB Solid-State drive
- Recommended: 1TB or larger solid-state drive.
RAM:
- Minimum Requirement: 8GB(Gigabytes). (The program will run but not as efficiently)
- Recommended Requirement: 16GB (Gigabytes) – 32GB (Gigabytes) or more for AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite applications and other graphic and video intensive applications.
External storage:
- External hard drive or Solid-State Drive – 1TB or larger is recommended. It needs to meet or exceed your storage capacity (for backup purposes).
- USB 3.0 flash drive (requires USB port). – Not recommended for back up purposes but for holding files for classes.
*Keep in mind these devices can fail from mechanical or physical damage. Make sure you back up the files to another external storage location e.g., Cloud storage.
Cloud Storage:
- Microsoft One Drive – a cloud-based storage option which can store up to 1TB of data (includes a backup option)
- Google Drive – a cloud-based storage option which can store up to 50GB of data.
System Requirement Links for Applications:
- Adobe Creative Cloud- Adobe Creative Cloud system requirements
- Solid Works – System Requirements | SOLIDWORKS
- Auto Desk (Auto CAD) – System requirements for AutoCAD (autodesk.com)
*The list contains just some of the applications you will run in classes. They will demand a lot from your computer’s hardware.
Our IT service professional does NOT recommend a Google Chromebook or a macOS Computer, as most of the computer labs have windows-based machines. In the real world, most of the devices that students will interact with are Windows based. Also, a CD-ROM drive is not necessary. Most software is downloaded.
Last updated: 12/24/2023