Laptop and Software Specifications for Art & Design Students

Depending on your major, specifications could change. Students should confirm with their advisors. Note: Macs do not support Interior Design software.

Windows

• Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i5 or better
• Memory: 16 GB Minimum
• Operating System: Windows 10
• Storage: 500 GB or greater SSD
• Display: 12 inches or larger: 1920 x 1080 Resolution or better; discrete graphics card - AMD Radeon Pro, Nvidia RTX (or equivalent gaming card). 8 GB VRAM (graphics memory)
• Audio: Built-in audio capabilities: Speaker/Microphone
• Network: Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n/ac): Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• Expansion Ports: Two USB 2.0/3.0 and/or USB-C

Mac

• Processor:
  • 10th Generation Intel Core i5 or better (not available on new Macs)
  • Apple Silicon M1 or better
• Memory: 16 GB Minimum
• Operating System: mac OS 10.15 (Catalina)
• Storage: 500 GB or greater
• Display: 12 inches or larger Retina Display
• Audio: Built-in audio capabilities: Speaker/Microphone
• Network: Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n/ac): Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• Expansion Ports: Two USB 3.0 and/or USB-C

How to Check Your Computer’s Specs

• For a Mac: Click on the Apple menu icon in the upper-left corner of your screen and select “About This Mac”. Click “System Report” for more in-depth specs.
• For a PC: Press the Windows logo key and Pause/Break key on your keyboard at the same time to open the System window. If your keyboard doesn’t have a Pause/Break key, click the Start button and type “Control”, click “Control Panel” in the search results, and click “System”.

Software

Every student enrolled in an Art & Design course that requires software use will have access to current and relevant software through individual subscription licenses. More information on software access will be available prior to the fall semester.

Students who find this requirement challenging should meet with a member of the Suffolk Cares team to explore resources and support. 

All Art & Design Students

All Art & Design students need to install Adobe Creative Cloud.

Interior Design Students Only

Interior Design students are required to have the following software:

• AutoCad/AutoDesk: To create an Autodesk account, sign up using your Suffolk University email account.
• Sketchup:  Enrolled Students receive an email from Trimble inviting them to create a Trimble ID. Once the mail is received, download and install.
• Enscape: Sign up on the Enscape site.
  • Click the Get my EDU License
  • Choose Student
  • Use your Suffolk University email to sign up
• V-Ray Plug-in: Enrolled Students receive an email from Chaos Group inviting them to join

Printing on Campus

1. Open & run the PC Client setup Wizard
   • Mac Users
   • Windows Users
2. Once complete, open the Print Deploy Client
   • For Windows: This can be found in bottom right of the taskbar – small icon looks like a printer
   • For Mac: This can be found in the upper right part of the screen – small icon looks like a printer
3. Choose View Printers
   • A window will appear listing all available printers
4. Click Install button next to the printer you intend to use
   • Printers are named based on location.
   • You will be prompted to login using your Suffolk credentials
   • Once installed, you will see the printer listed in your available printers