Laptop Recommendations

For Business Students

General Laptop Recommendations

The following specifications and recommendations assume that a laptop should serve the student's computing needs for four years of Business coursework. It may be possible to get by with a less capable machine initially, but performance will degrade more rapidly as the software demands change over time. We strongly suggest that a student have a laptop that meets the recommended specifications.

Some programs and classes will require software that will only run on a Windows-based laptop. If you choose to purchase an Apple laptop, depending on your program, you may be unable to complete required course work. We strongly suggest you read the information in the MacOS vs Windows FAQ entry below. For information on where you can purchase a laptop, please see the Where Can I Buy a Laptop? FAQ entry.

 

 
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Specifications
Processor
11th Gen. Core i3
11th Gen. Core i5
Memory
8GB RAM
16GB RAM
Storage
256GB SSD
512GB SSD or larger
Graphics
Integrated Graphics Card
Integrated Graphics Card

Program-Specific Requirements

Tablets or phones may be used for personal note taking, but course work will require use of a laptop.

The Design programs within the College of Business require the purchase of a laptop. It is expected that each student will have purchased a laptop that meets these requirements for their specific program.  Typically, the first course needing a laptop and software will be DSGN 121.

If you need help financing a laptop, please visit OSU Financial Aid. Cost of Attendance Form

Need a temporary laptop?  Visit Student Multimedia Services in the Valley Library to check out a laptop rental.

 

Students in Apparel Design require a laptop running either Mac OSx or Windows. Some business courses require software that is Windows only.

WINDOWS
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Specifications
Processor
12 gen Intel® Core™ i5 Processors / AMD® Ryzen 5000 Series processors
13 gen Intel® Core™ i7 Processors / AMD® Ryzen 7000 Series  processors
Memory
16GB RAM
32GB RAM
Storage
512GB SSD
512GB SSD or larger
Graphics
NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 960 / NVIDIA® Quadro P2200
NVIDIA® RTX 3000 series / NVIDIA® Quadro RTX , RTX A series
MAC
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Specifications
Processor
Intel® Core-i7 8 cores
Apple Silicon Macs: M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2 Pro M2 Max
Memory
16GB RAM
32GB RAM
Storage
256GB HDD
512GB SSD or larger
Graphics
AMD Radeon™ R9 M375
Discrete Graphics Card
OS
Mac OS Big Sur 11.7.6
Latest macOS 12.0 Monterey

Students in Interior Design will need to run software on a Windows-based laptop that also has heavier 3D graphics needs. Therefore, a laptop running Windows is required for interior design. It is strongly recommended to have a discreet graphics card as listed in the recommended specifications.

 
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Specifications
Processor
11th Gen. Core i5
11th Gen. Core i7
Memory
16GB RAM
16GB RAM
Storage
512GB SSD
512GB SSD or larger
Graphics
Integrated Graphics Card
Discrete Graphics Card

For students in Design and Innovation Management, a Windows-based laptop is strongly recommended. It is possible to use a laptop running Mac OSx for most coursework, but some business courses require software that is Windows only.

 
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Specifications
Processor
11th Gen. Core i5
11th Gen. Core i7
Memory
16GB RAM
16GB RAM
Storage
512GB SSD
512GB SSD or larger
Graphics
Integrated Graphics Card
Discrete Graphics Card

Students in Merchandising Management require a laptop running either Mac OSx or Windows. Some business courses require software that is Windows only.

 
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Specifications
Processor
11th Gen. Core i5
11th Gen. Core i7
Memory
16GB RAM
16GB RAM
Storage
512GB SSD
512GB SSD or larger
Graphics
Integrated Graphics Card
Discrete Graphics Card

 

FAQs

Some programs and classes will require software that will only run on a Windows-based laptop. If you choose to purchase an Apple laptop, depending on your program, you may be unable to complete required course work.

Apparel Design (AD): Windows or Mac
Design & Innovation Management (DIM): Windows strongly recommended
Interior Design (ID): Windows required
Merchandising Management (MM): Windows or Mac  

Students in Apparel Design require a laptop running either Mac OSx or Windows. Some business courses require software that is Windows only.

For students in Design and Innovation Management a Windows-based laptop is strongly recommended. It is possible to use a laptop running Mac OSx for most coursework, but some business courses require software that is Windows only.

Students in Interior Design will need to run software on a Windows-based laptop that also has heavier 3D graphics needs. Therefore, a laptop running Windows is required for interior design. It is strongly recommended to have a discreet graphics card as listed in the recommended specifications.

Students in Merchandising Management require a laptop running either Mac OSx or Windows. Some business courses require software that is Windows only.

Windows computers are available to all COB students in the Austin Hall 290 Computer Lab. Please visit Austin Hall Computer Lab for more information.

If you need a temporary laptop, visit Student Multimedia Services in the Valley Library to check out a laptop rental.

Tablets or phones may be used for personal note taking, but course work will require use of a laptop.