Personal Computing Recommendations

• System configuration 
  • Intel Core i7 2GHz CPU or faster
  • 8 GB RAM (16 GB or more recommended)
  • Intel HD 5000 or better graphics card (NVIDIA or AMD graphics card with 4 GB or more of video RAM recommended)
  • 256 GB or more SSD hard drive storage (512 GB recommended)
  • 3 year/extended warranty/multi-year service agreement
  • Web Cam/microphone
• Notes 
  • We do not recommend Mac OS as many required software packages will not run.  If you do have a Mac it should run Windows.
  • Chromebooks will not run required architecture software.

Additionally, it is recommended that you purchase a laptop cable lock to secure your laptop when using it on campus.

While we recommend the use of UB Box, the university’s cloud storage system, it is also recommended that you purchase a portable external hard drive and/or flash drives.

You can find special discounted pricing on Dell laptops here:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/delluniversity/cp/buffalo?link_number=7595720&c=us&l=en&s=eep&tfcid=66346739&cid=316360&lid=5993986&dgc=ms

One system that we recommend is the Precision 7540

Software Resources – verify what software is required by contacting your department

• AutoCAD Educational License – available free of charge  https://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/autocad
• Adobe Creative Cloud Educational Subscription - https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html
• Rhinoceros 6, including Grasshopper - https://www.rhino3d.com/sales/north-america/United_States
• ArcGIS – free student license available - https://research.lib.buffalo.edu/gis-courses

You can find more information about UB provided software and ways to access it at http://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/service-guides/software.html

Please contact the School of Architecture and Planning IT services (ap-itservices@buffalo.edu) with any questions with regard to Computing Hardware and Software.