Laptop and Software Requirements
for Students of the Design Programs
Dear CSUSB Design Student,
If you are a student in one of our design programs it is required that you have your own Mac laptop computer with the following specifications. The design faculty recommends these specifications as minimum requirements for the design programs in the Department of Art. Such laptops are crucial for your study on either of these programs to both undertake and complete your classes and coursework in design, but also to become familiar and proficient in the industry standard software that you will need to be fluent in when transitioning to jobs in design after graduation, or post-graduate study in design programs or related areas of further study.
Students are required to purchase a Mac laptop with the specifications below:
Processor:
1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz, with 4MB L3 cache, or
2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz, with 64MB of eDRAM w/Thunderbolt 3
Storage:
128GB PCIe-based SSD, or
512GB
Memory:
16GB
Display:
While a 13” display will work, many of the latest software applications have very large tool palettes taking up valuable
screen space; a 15” display provides more working space than 13” screen.
Financial Aid
For anyone eligible for Financial Aid, it is possible that your financial aid package may extend to this cost. Please check-in with an advisor in the Financial Aid Office (UH-150) to check your status. Also, it is possible to get or extend student loans to accommodate this expense. Again, please check-in with an advisor in the Financial Aid Office (UH-150) to check your eligibility.
It is possible, if you are eligible for financial aid, to get aid money or student loans to cover the cost of such a laptop.
Typically, the cost of these machines ranges from:
$1399 for an Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display Intel Core i5Dual-Core 2.3GHz Processor 16GB Memory 128GB SSD
$1299 for a 13 inch Apple MacBook Air Intel Core i5Dual-Core 2.3GHz Processor 16GB Memory 128GB SSD
These are just examples; some models are more expensive, some may be less expensive. If you have any questions please contact Professors Kurt Collins, Beth Steffel, or Andrew Oakes, design faculty of the Department of Art & Design, or ask at the main office (VA105).
Software Requirements*:
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite bundle ($19.99 per year for CSUSB students)
* All other instructor-recommended software for specific classes will be free from the manufacturers.