Exploring Architecture, Arts, and Design (undecided)

College of Architecture, Arts, and Design

2025-26 Baseline Minimum System Requirements

For All Incoming Undergraduate Students

Platform

PC recommended

Laptop (Chromebook not recommended)

Mac

Laptop

Operating System

Windows 11 (64-Bit)

macOS 13 or higher

Processor Speed

13th Gen Intel Core or the AMD equivalent

M4 Series Apple Silicon

Memory (RAM)

32 GB or more

Storage

1 TB SSD (Solid State Drive)

Webcam

Built-in or external with built in microphone (headset/earbuds recommended)

Wireless

Wi-Fi Capable

Warranty

3 Year on-site service support with accident damage coverage (4 Year is highly recommended)

3 Year on-site service support, AppleCare (4 Year is highly recommended - available through certain vendors)

Software

Software Suite*

*Students are required to purchase the Incoming Undergraduate Software Bundle through the Virginia Tech Software Service Center. See the Student Software Center for more information.

Included Products: Microsoft Windows Operating System with Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus
Platform: macOS and Windows
Eligibility: Valid while enrolled in undergraduate classes at Virginia Tech
Note: Office 365 Pro Plus can be downloaded and installed on up to five machines and Office mobile apps can be installed on up to five mobile devices.

Backup

Any backup method of choice including cloud-based services like Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive.

Additional Information: Please be aware that a number of majors in AAD will require a discrete GPU and a WINDOWS machine. Depending on major choice later, some apps are WINDOWS only and will NOT run emmulated on Apple ARM chips.

Contact
Andrew Powers
540-231-1490
aadithelp@vt.edu