Technology Requirements

Students in the Department of Design at The Ohio State University are required to have their own laptop computers after being admitted into one of our major programs. We do not make recommendations of specific computer brands but provide a specification list here that should be followed to configure a laptop that can efficiently run software used in your respective major program. 

Students should check with The Office of the CIO prior to purchasing software for site licensed software that is available at discounted prices for students.

Students should check Tech Hub for prices.

Tech Hub is the Ohio State campus computer store. Get software and hardware at or below academic discounted pricing. They work with students, faculty and staff for personal and departmental orders. A variety of Apple, Dell and HP hardware is available including laptops, iPads, tablets, desktops, accessories and add-ons. A variety of software is available including Microsoft, Adobe, EndNote/Reference Manager and more. Tech Hub prices extended to students, faculty and staff with a valid Ohio State BuckID.

Design Foundations (First-year) 

Students in the Design Foundations program should have a computer that can handle the technical requirement of Adobe Creative Cloud.  Adobe Creative Cloud is a suite of 20 creative apps provided to students by Ohio State. To order Adobe Creative Cloud free from OSU, please visit https://go.osu.edu/adobecc and log in with your Ohio State username and password to request your free license for academic use.

BSD Program Students (Second-year and Beyond)

The Department of Design provides computer recommendations for both a Windows OS and a Mac OS based laptop and each major programs has specific recommendations below: 

  • Experiential Media Design (XMD): Mac or Windows
  • Industrial Design (IND): Windows
  • Interior Design (INT): Windows
  • Visual Communication Design (VCD): Mac

Recommended Computer Specifications

Windows Laptop

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or 11
  • Large displays: 16-inch or more, 2K (2560x1440) or better (i.e., UHD/4K)
  • Memory (RAM): 32GB or more (“expandable” is better)
  • Processor (CPU): current generation (AMD Ryzen AI 9; Intel i9 or Ultra 9)
  • Graphics (GPU): Nvidia RTX 4000 or better, 8GB or more, “discrete” graphics (not “integrated”)
  • File Storage: SSD, 1 to 2 TB, faster is better

Mac Laptop

  • Operating System: MacOS 15
  • Large displays: 16-inch or more, 2K (2560x1440) or better (i.e., UHD/4K)
  • Memory (RAM): 32GB or more (“expandable” is better)
  • Processor (CPU): MacOS: M2, M3, or M4 (Pro or Max version)
  • Graphics (GPU): MacOS: M2, M3, or M4 (Pro or Max version)
  • File Storage: SSD, 1 to 2 TB, faster is better

Additional Software by Major