Department of Architectural + Design Studies Program Laptop Requirement

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 as the demands placed on them by high end graphics and rendering applications constantly increase. These machines are considered mobile workstations and cannot be treated the same as a regular laptop. They should not be put into backpacks without being shut down, nor left running on soft surfaces like sofas or beds. This causes heat damage to the motherboard which requires replacement.

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, Micros Northeast.

College Laptop Purchase Packages for 2025 are now online!

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 recommended specifications:

2026-27 Recommended Specifications for PC Laptop

• Windows 11 64-bit operating system.
• 15" or larger display. 1920 x 1080 pixels with true color.
• CPU: Intel/AMD Processor scoring a single thread CPUMark of 3,000 or higher. (Such as AMD Ryzen 5 5500, Intel Core i7-11700T or better)
• Memory: 32 GB RAM (64 preferred).
• Storage: 1TB SSD (solid state drive). Minimum 75 GB free space.
• A GPU scoring a G3DMark of 22,000 or higher with up-to-date drivers with at least 8GB of VRAM or better. Such as the RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, RTX 4000 ADA Generation Laptop GPU, RTX PRO 3000 Blackwell Generation Laptop GPU.
• Accidental damage plan.

*The graphics card should be able to run the software listed below.

Additional Applications*

• Autodesk Revit (free for students, Windows only)
• Enscape (rendering plugin with student pricing)
• Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture (free for students)
• Sketchup Pro (student pricing)
• Adobe Creative Cloud (free for Architecture and Design Study Majors – license applied in Fall)
• Autodesk Sketchbook (free for students)
• Lumion Pro
• Students will be informed of other required software applications from their instructors

*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
  • Crashplan or Dropbox or similar online backup system (typically $100/year)