Majors That Require a Laptop

Updated June 14, 2023

There are many computer labs available for student use; however, the majors listed below require a laptop. Students are required to have laptops by the first day of classes. Laptop computers are available through the campus bookstore. See also Frequently Asked Questions about student computing options.

hand on a laptop , attention new students avoid delays order your laptop now
Note: Due to manufacturer shortages, Tier 4 Omen laptops will have extended delivery times. Please order at your earliest convenience to ensure sooner delivery. Contact your Academic Department to determine if it will affect your coursework.

 

Major Required Laptop (see specifications below)
Accounting (AAS) 1
Architectural Technology (AAS) 3 or 4
Architectural Technology (BS) 3 or 4 (Not Macbook Pro)
Architecture (BArch) 3 or 4 (Not Macbook Pro)
Autobody Repair (AOS) 1
Automotive Service Technician (AOS) 1
Biological Science (AAS) 1
Building Construction (AOS) 1
Business Administration (AS) 1
Business Administration (BBA) 1
Civil Engineering Technology (BS) 2
Computer Engineering Technology (AAS) 2
Computer Engineering Technology (BS) 2
Computer Information Systems (AAS) 2
Computer Science (AS) 2
Construction Engineering Technology (AAS) 2
Construction Management (BS) 2
Construction Supervision (BTech) 2
Court and Realtime Reporting (AAS) 1
Court Reporting and Captioning (Certificate) 1
Culinary Arts (AOS) 1
Culinary Arts: Baking, Production and Management (AOS) 1
Cyber Security (BTech) 2
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (AAS) 1
Digital Media and Animation (AAS) 4 or Apple MacBook Pro
Digital Media and Animation (BS) 4 or Apple MacBook Pro
Electrical Construction and Maintenance Electrician (AOS) 1
Electrical Engineering Technology (AAS) 2
Electrical Engineering Technology (BS) 2
Environmental Technology (AAS) 1
Financial Planning (BBA) 1
Forensic Science Technology (BS) 1
Game & Interactive Design (AS) 4 or Apple MacBook Pro
Game & Interactive Design (BS) 4 or Apple MacBook Pro
Graphic & Media Design (AS) 4 or Apple MacBook Pro
Graphic & Media Design (BS) 4 or Apple MacBook Pro
Health Sciences (BS) 1
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (AOS) 1
Heavy Equipment Operations (AOS) 1
Heavy Equipment, Truck & Diesel Technician (AOS) 1
Information Technology - Applications Software Development (BTech) 2
Information Technology - Network Administration (BTech) 2
Information Technology - Web Development (BTech) 2
Interior Design (AAS) 2
Marketing (AAS) 1
Marketing (BBA) 1
Masonry (AOS) 1
Mechanical Engineering Technology (AAS) 3
Mechanical Engineering Technology (BS) 3
Mechatronics Technology (AAS) 3
Mechatronics Technology (BS) 3
Motorcycle and Power Sports Technology (AOS) 1
Motorsports Technology (AOS) 1
Nursing (AAS) 1
Nursing (BS-N) 1
Radiologic Technology (AAS) 1
Sport Management (AS) 1
Sport Management (BBA) 1
Surveying and Geomatics Engineering Technology (BS) 2
Surveying Engineering Technology (AAS) 2
Technology Management (BBA) 1
Welding Technology (AOS) 1

Laptop or Desktop Required Curriculums

Major Required Laptop (see specifications below)
Health Information Technology (AAS) 1**
Healthcare Management (BTech) 1

Tier 1 - (2023-24 Academic Year)

  • Processor - Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
  • OS - Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
  • Memory - 8 GB
  • Graphics Memory - 1 GB or Integrated
  • Hard Drive - 250 GB
  • Display Monitor - 13-15"
  • Webcam / Microphone

**A desktop of similar specifications can be used instead of a laptop for specified courses.

Tier 2 - (2023-24 Academic Year)

  • Processor:
    • Intel Core i5 or i7
    • AMD Ryzen 5 or 7
  • OS - Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
  • Memory - 16 GB
  • Graphics Memory - 2 GB
  • Solid State Drive - 250 GB
  • Display Monitor - 14 - 17"
  • Webcam / Microphone

Tier 3 - (2023-24 Academic Year)

  • Processor
    • Intel Core i7 or i9
    • AMD Ryzen 7 or 9
  • OS - Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
  • Memory - 32 GB
  • Graphics Memory - 4 GB
  • Solid State Drive - 512 GB
  • Display Monitor - 15.6 or 17"
  • Webcam / Microphone

Tier 4 - (2023-24 Academic Year)

  • Processor
    • Intel Core i7 or i9
    • AMD Ryzen 7 or 9
  • OS - Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
  • Memory - 32 GB
  • Graphics Memory - 8 GB
  • Solid State Drive - 512 GB+
  • Display Monitor - 15.6 or 17"
  • Display Refresh Rate: 100+ Hz
  • Webcam / Microphone

Apple MacBook Pro - (2023-24 Academic Year)

  • CPU/GPU: M2 Pro 12 core CPU, 19 Core GPU, 16 core neural Engine
  • Screen: 14” or 16”
  • Memory: 32GB Unified Memory
  • Storage: 1TB SSD

The Alfred State Bookstore recommends you purchase a MacBook Pro from a vendor of your choice.  Contact the Alfred State Bookstore to discuss purchasing an Apple Macbook Pro if you want to use Financial Aid.

In order to ensure a seamless Macintosh environment and provide industry standard programs, incoming digital media and animation (DMA) students are required to purchase a laptop that meets the Tier 4 specifications or a MacBook Pro computer. It is also required to purchase an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, available on Alfredstate.onthehub.com or adobe.com.  You must use a person email (not your alfredstate.edu email) when purchasing Adobe.

By purchasing your MacBook Pro via our Apple store, you will receive an educational discount and an additional discount negotiated by Alfred State. Please go to the following address and log in with your Alfred State username and password; https://portal.alfredstate.edu/Pages/apple-store-discount.aspx. The appropriate MacBook Pro should be listed under “Recommended Purchases.” (Please note that you will receive your username and password following payment of your enrollment deposit.)

Assistance will be available with software setup and maintenance such as setting up email, connecting to the server, and printing. As a DMA student, if your MacBook needs to be sent off campus for repair, they can provide you with a loaner..

Financial Aid also maintains a comprehensive list of estimated costs for students per major.