Hardware and Software Recommendations

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS

Students in the College of Art and Design will be entering career fields where digital imaging technology is central. Below you will find recommended (optional) equipment that students will need to consider purchasing to be fully prepared for your work at RIT.

SCHOOL PROGRAM EQUIPMENT GUIDES

Several Schools/programs have provided specific supply lists (links immediately below). If you don’t find your program listed, please look below for some recommendations that can help guide your hardware/software purchases for Fall.

A Note about Recommendations:
Computer specs are updated for the upcoming academic year as new equipment is announced. We freeze finalized computer recommendations for the Academic year by August 1.  The specs currently listed reflect that which was available as of August 1, 2024.

EQUIPMENT GUIDE – General Supply List for CAD Students (Applies to multiple majors!)
EQUIPMENT GUIDE – School of Design – 3D Digital Design (SOD)
EQUIPMENT GUIDE – School of Design – Graphic Design (SOD)
EQUIPMENT GUIDE – School of Design – Interior Design (SOD)
EQUIPMENT GUIDE – School of Design – New Media Design (SOD)
EQUIPMENT GUIDE – School of Film and Animation (SOFA)
EQUIPMENT GUIDE – School of Photographic Arts and Sciences (SPAS)

Special Offers and Purchase Programs – These offers are open to all registered CAD students, and will be updated as new offers come out.

Academic Software and Discounts

As an RIT student, you are eligible for academic discounts on most computer hardware and software that you will need. We recommend shopping at RIT’s Digital Den as well as online and at your local retailers to get the best prices. Please note, many education discounts require some proof of enrollment or student ID.

https://www.rit.edu/fa/digitalden/

General Supplies

The following supplies are needed for many classes:

• A portable hard drive and at least two “thumb” drives (Flash media drives)
• Notebooks and 3-ring binders for notes and materials.
• More suggestions can be found here

Please Note: In addition to these supplies, there will be additional books and supplies required each semester by individual instructors for specific classes.

These additional costs may add up to $300.00 or more per semester.

What computers are recommended for the degree programs at CAD?

Your specific needs for computer equipment will vary widely based on your program of study. The College of Art and Design suggests that you wait on making any purchases until after you arrive on campus and begin your classes. Your instructors and Program Directors will share with you recommendations for hardware, software and other equipment that is most relevant for your academic major, but you will have access to all technology/equipment in either the college-managed labs or for checkout through the Equipment Cages.

All undergraduate labs are available to all CAD students via RIT card swipe, and are open 24/7.
You can learn about our wide variety of Facilities HERE.
You can look up all the various labs and lab schedules within the College HERE, including pictures of the spaces, and what hardware and software is available.

We suggest the versatility of a laptop for most majors; however, some programs may need a more robust solution offered in a desktop computer (consult with your Program Director as noted above).

You can find the latest recommended models available through RIT’s Digital Den listed here:
https://www.rit.edu/digitalden/computer-recommendations-college

Generally, we suggest the the minimum benchmark desktops and laptops specifications for the Mac and PC platforms:

(Specifications are as of August 1, 2024 and represent the recommended minimum hardware needs. These specifications are updated by August 1 prior to the start of Fall Semester each year.)