Computer Recommendations for Undergraduates
We want our students to be set up for success from day one with the right tools at their fingertips. To fulfill the requirements of our degree plan, incoming students will need a personal computing device and a subscription to software.
Laptop
Recommended at minimum:
- 14” MacBook Pro, with
- M5 Chip (or M5 Pro Chip)
- 16GB memory (or 24GB)
- 512GB SSD storage
The laptop can be purchased through Apple’s Education Store or UT Austin’s Campus Computer Store.
The department uses Apple hardware and the most current software in its labs and digital facilities. This laptop will ensure compatibility between the department’s digital infrastructure and student assignments.
Peripherals and Services
Recommended:
- External Monitor: 24-27 inch, color corrected, 1080p, 2K, or 4K resolution.
- External Mouse
- Automatic Backup Service: Carbonite, Backblaze, or similar.
Software
Required:
Subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud for Students is available for the discounted price of $199.95/year to all registered UT students through the Campus Computer Store.
Required for selected courses:
Campus Computer Store
Once new students have been issued their official UT Austin student identification cards, they are eligible to purchase computers with educational discounts at the Campus Computer Store. Students with paid tuition and fees receipts for the semester are eligible to purchase software.
Financial Aid for Laptop Purchase
Do you qualify for financial aid? As a design major, you may be able to apply aid to the purchase of your laptop.
- Request a budget adjustment for the required laptop in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
- An escalation will be created, and a counselor will complete the aid revision.