CCS Laptop Recommendations 2024-2025

The following recommendations are for departments at CCS that do not currently have a specific requirement for laptops. Before purchasing a laptop, we recommend contacting your department to confirm your choice.

If you have any additional technical questions after speaking with your department, please email the CCS Helpdesk at helpdesk@collegeforcreativestudies.edu.

Below are minimum suggested specs; better/faster/larger/newer is fine as long as supported by applicable application software.  Information regarding software compatibility is available here:  https://campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/its/software-requirements/

Apple MacBook Pro

Educational discount available at Apple Stores or the Apple online educational store (https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop).

  • Processor: M1 Pro or Better
  • Memory: 32GB unified Memory
  • Hard Drive: 512GB SSD storage or betterAppleCare 3-year protection plan: Highly recommended

Windows PC

  • Windows 10 Pro 64-bit OS or Windows 11
  • Processor: 64-bit Intel® Xeon, or i-Series processor with Intel® or AMD equivalent. Highest affordable CPU speed with multiple cores recommended
  • Memory: 32GB of Memory
  • Graphic Card: Supported NVIDIA® or AMD graphics card with OpenGL 4.3 support and a certified driver. 8GB Memory minimum.
  • Hard Drive: 512GB SSD3-yr protection plan: Highly recommended

Required Software:

Adobe Creative Cloud: Provided through CCS for all registered students
Microsoft Office: Available for free at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/office