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Department of Architectural + Design Studies Program Laptop Requirement

Department of Architectural + Design Studies Laptop Requirements
BFA Architectural Studies | BFA Interior Architecture | MA Interior Architecture

The Department of Architectural + Design Studies program REQUIRES all incoming students to have a Windows-platform laptop.   MacBook Pro laptops ARE NOT RECOMMENDED as they have compatibility issues with curriculum software. Laptops with touch screens are also not recommended.

General Requirements 

Industry-Standard Applications

The Department of Architectural + Design Studies programs rely on industry-standard, state-of-the-art drawing, 3D modeling, and rendering applications.  Computers used for drawing, 3D modeling and rendering need to be very powerful.

Before purchasing a system, students should review the latest department laptop specifications (listed below). It is recommended that any laptop meet the higher end of the recommended specifications, so that software will run more smoothly. Students may purchase a compliant laptop though the vendor of their choice, or though Endicott's vendor partner, MicrosNortheast College Laptop Purchase Packages for 2023 will be available soon 

All students in the undergraduate and graduate Interior Architecture programs and BFA in Architectural Studies program should be using a Windows laptop that meets the following minimum requirements:

2023 Recommended Specifications for PC Laptop

  • Windows 10 64- bit operating system
  • 15" or larger display. 1680 x 1050 with true color Maximum: Ultra-High (4k) Definition Monitor
  • Intel® i-Series, Xeon®, or AMD® equivalent (e.g. AMD® Ryzen, Ryzen Threadripper PRO) multicore processor. (Minimum Quad Core recommended with 2.5 GHz or highest GHz you can afford.)
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 1TB SSD (solid state drive). Minimum 30 GB free space.
  • 1920 x 1080 16:9 Display
  • DirectX® 11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 5 minimum capability and a min 8GB video memory (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070/Quadro RTX 4000 or an AMD equivalent)* 
  • Accidental damage plan

*Click here for Revit recommended graphics cards spec sheet

*Special Note: The graphics card should be adequate to run the software listed below. One that is recommended by Autodesk for the Revit application is a safe way to go.

Additional Applications*

*Please Note: All Endicott undergraduate students will be able to download Microsoft Office for free this fall.

Additional hardware: 

  • Wireless mouse
  • Mouse pad
  • Padded sleeve or backpack (carrying case comes with campus purchase program)
  • iPad (10.2” minimum) with Apple pencil (not required, but RECOMMENDED)
  • File backup system (not required, but RECOMMENDED):
    • External solid state (SSD) hard drive with a minimum storage capacity of 2TB
    • Dropbox or similar online backup system (typically $100/year)