Computer Requirements

Student Resources

Recommended Laptop Specifications

The following information provides recommended laptop specifications for students enrolled in the Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, Construction Management and Interior Design programs. These recommendations are intended to serve as general guidelines to help students select a laptop that meets the typical academic and software requirements of their program.

The department does not endorse or recommend any specific laptop brand or model. Students are encouraged to use these specifications as a reference when choosing a laptop that fits their budget, preferences and anticipated academic needs.

Construction Management

Minimum desired laptop specification:

  • Windows-compatible computer
  • Processor:
    • Intel i7 or i9
    • Intel Ultra 7 or 9 
    • AMD Ryzen 7, 9 or Threadripper
  • RAM: 16 GB or more
  • A discrete (dedicated) graphics card
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD or more

Compatibility Notice:
Chromebooks, iPads, ARM CPU laptops (Snapdragon), and similar devices do not meet the hardware or software requirements for engineering programs.

Electrical Engineering

Minimum desired laptop specification:

  • Windows-compatible computer
  • Processor:
    • Intel i7 or i9
    • Intel Ultra 7 or 9 
    • AMD Ryzen 7, 9 or Threadripper
  • RAM: 16 GB or more
  • A discrete (dedicated) graphics card
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD or more

Compatibility Notice:
Chromebooks, iPads, ARM CPU laptops (Snapdragon), and similar devices do not meet the hardware or software requirements for engineering programs.

Engineering Physics

Minimum desired laptop specification:

  • Windows-compatible computer
  • Processor:
    • Intel i7 or i9
    • Intel Ultra 7 or 9 
    • AMD Ryzen 7, 9 or Threadripper
  • RAM: 16 GB or more
  • A discrete (dedicated) graphics card
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD or more

Compatibility Notice:
Chromebooks, iPads, ARM CPU laptops (Snapdragon), and similar devices do not meet the hardware or software requirements for engineering programs.

Interior Design

Minimum desired laptop specification:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060 minimum, ideally RTX 4070/4080
  • Processor:
    • Intel i7 or i9
    • AMD Ryzen 7 or 9
  • RAM: 32 GB (16 GB is bare minimum)
  • Storage: 1TB SSD

Compatibility Notice:
Chromebooks, iPads, ARM CPU laptops (Snapdragon), and similar devices do not meet the hardware or software requirements for engineering programs.

Mechanical Engineering

Minimum desired laptop specification:

  • Windows-compatible computer
  • Processor:
    • Intel i7 or i9
    • Intel Ultra 7 or 9 
    • AMD Ryzen 7, 9 or Threadripper
  • RAM: 32 GB or more
  • A discrete (dedicated) graphics card
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD or more

Compatibility Notice:
Chromebooks, iPads, ARM CPU laptops (Snapdragon), and similar devices do not meet the hardware or software requirements for engineering programs.

Mechatronics Engineering Technology

Minimum desired laptop specification:

  • Windows-compatible computer
  • Processor:
    • Intel i7 or i9
    • Intel Ultra 7 or 9 
    • AMD Ryzen 7, 9 or Threadripper
  • RAM: 32 GB or more
  • A discrete (dedicated) graphics card
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD or more

Compatibility Notice:
Chromebooks, iPads, ARM CPU laptops (Snapdragon), and similar devices do not meet the hardware or software requirements for engineering programs.

Physics

Minimum desired laptop specification:

  • Windows-compatible computer
  • Processor:
    • Intel i5 or better
    • Intel Ultra 5 or better 
    • AMD Ryzen 5 or better
  • RAM: 16 GB or more
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD or more

Compatibility Notice:
Chromebooks, iPads, ARM CPU laptops (Snapdragon), and similar devices do not meet the hardware or software requirements for engineering programs.