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From https://www.colum.edu/techrec this page also lists the Laptop Tiers be Major
The Technology toolbox program requires incoming students to obtain and bring appropriate technology that meets the technology requirements listed below to their courses.
The Technology Toolbox identifies:
- A laptop or tablet that has faculty-recommended technical specifications designed to optimize career readiness
- The software you need to succeed in your classes and profession
- Additional Technologies and Devices that will be required by courses in each academic program
As a college that prepares future creative professionals, Columbia believes it is essential our students be equipped with the technology that meets the standards for their field. With this in mind, the college has obtained licenses for many software programs students can access, free of charge. Further, faculty in each of our disciplines have recommended specific hardware and software for students to purchase independently.
Our current recommendations tiers are
- Any Device : Any device that meets minimal requirements basic courses.
- The Chrome book, and iPad option may not run software required for all courses and may require use of Virtual Desktop software to access some course software.
- Creative Baseline : Intel, AMD or Apple M2 processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster
- Adobe Creative Cloud Minimum Requirements
- Adobe uses minimum specifications per application we use PhotoShop as a baseline
- Audio / Music : Meets Creative baseline with some additional audio requirements
- Media Creation : Faster CPU and more RAM helps meet the recommended specs for Adobe After Effects and Premiere.
- 3D / Edit : Better Processor and Dedicated GPU for more intensive graphics application.
The summary specs are below. The link to the love site is https://students.colum.edu/information-technology/laptop-tiers/
Any Device
Specs
CPU Any
RAM Any
Hard Drive Any
Details:
Less than 3 years old
Keyboard and Mouse, or another pointing device
Webcam (built in or external)
HD or higher : screen resolution 1920 x 1080
Vendor-Supplied Warranty or Support plan (i.e. Apple Care or Lenovo Support)
Can run HorizonView to connect to VDI Virtual Desktops:
Horizon View Clients are available Windows , Mac , Android iOS ChromeOS
Creative Baseline
Specs
CPU Intel or AMD processor (intel i7 Gen 11 or newer AMD Ryzen 7 5000 series or newer ) with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster
RAM 16GB or higher
Hard Drive 512 GB or larger Solid-State Drive
Details:
Windows 11 24H2 or higher
MacOS 14 or higher
Enough USB ports for peripherals
Includes Details From Any Device:
Media Creation
Requirements: Faster CPU and more RAM better meets the recommended specs for Adobe After Effects and Premiere. https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/system-requirements.html
Specs
CPU Intel i7 9th gen or higher, AMD Ryzen 7 5000 series or higher
RAM 16GB or higher
Hard Drive 512 GB or larger Solid-State Drive
Details:
Windows 11 24H2 or higher
MacOS 15 or higher
Enough USB ports for peripherals
Audio / Music
Specs
CPU Intel or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster 64-bit support
or
Apple M1/2, M1Pro or M1Max processor
RAM 16GB or higher
Hard Drive 1TB or larger Solid State Drive
Details:
Windows 11 24H2 or higher
Apple M Sersies Intel MacOS 14 or higher
Enough USB ports for peripherals
Mac USB 3C, FireWire-port or Thunderbolt-port for Core Audio-supported audio device
Windows USB 3C, ASIO compatible audio interface or WDM and ASIO4All
Meets Avid Requirements for Protools https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/Download/Pro-Tools-2022-4-Release-Info
3D / Edit
Specs
CPU Intel i7 10th gen or higher, AMD Ryzen 7 5000 series or higher
or
Apple M2 M1 Pro M2 Pro or M1Max or M2Max processor
RAM 16GB or higher
Hard Drive 512 GB or larger Solid State Drive
GPU Dedicated GPU at least 2GB VRAM Lenovo offers or NVidia RTX 5040
Details:
Windows 11 24H2 or higher
MacOS 14 or higher
Enough USB ports for peripherals