Interior Design Computer Specifications

Computers significantly impact the way designers approach and execute design projects. To ensure that students have the necessary tools for success, it's crucial to meet specific hardware and software requirements. These requirements are designed to support the demanding needs of design-related software, including design illustrations, multitasking and data storage.

General Information

Preferred System: Windows is preferred due to its broader compatibility with industry-standard software and hardware options. Apple systems are also supported but may require additional software for compatibility.
Technical Questions: For further assistance, email Rory Reid to ensure your computer meets the requirements.

Windows (Preferred)

Item	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	Intel i7 10000 Series or higher	Intel i7 or i9 11000 or 12000 Series
Display	15.6" Full HD (FHD) (1080p)	15.6"-16" QHD/WQHD/4K
RAM Memory	16GB DDR4	32GB-64GB DDR5
Disk Storage	512GB SSD	512GB-1TB NVMe SSD
Optical Drive	Optional: DVD +/- R/RW External Adapters: USB-C > USB-A	Optional: DVD +/- R/RW External Adapters: USB-C > USB-A
Video Card/Graphics (GPU)	Nvidia GeForce 1000 series	Nvidia GeForce 3000 series
External Hard Drive	USB-C 500GB External Note: Cloud storage acceptable but dependent on network	TB3/4 500GB External Note: Cloud storage acceptable but dependent on network
Ports on Laptop	USB-C Highly Advised Best: Thunderbolt 3 or 4	USB-C Highly Advised Best: Thunderbolt 3 or 4
Flash Drive	32GB	64GB
Operating System	Windows 10 - 64Bit Windows 11 - 64 Bit also works	Windows 10 Pro - 64 Bit Windows 11 - 64 Bit
External Mouse	Required: 3-Button Scrolling Wheel	Required: 3-Button Scrolling Wheel

Note: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is recommended. For GPUs, NVIDIA GeForce RTX Series ONLY is preferred. Avoid using Iris Xe.

Apple

Item	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	Intel i7 (2018 or newer models)	M1 Pro/Max or M2 Pro/Max for performance-heavy applications
Display	14" Models	16" Models
RAM Memory	16GB	32GB-64GB
Disk Storage	512GB	512GB-1TB
Optical Drive	Optional: DVD +/- R/RW External Adapters: USB-C > USB-A	Optional: DVD +/- R/RW External Adapters: USB-C > USB-A
Video Card/Graphics (GPU)	Benchmark Score 4500+	Benchmark Score 7000+
External Hard Drive	USB-C 500GB External Note: Cloud storage acceptable but dependent on network	TB3/4 500GB External Note: Cloud storage acceptable but dependent on network
Ports on Laptop	Thunderbolt 3 or 4	Thunderbolt 3 or 4
Flash Drive	32GB	64GB
Operating System	MacOS 11 (Big Sur)	MacOS 13 (Ventura)
External Mouse	Required: Apple Magic Mouse Note: 3-Button Scrolling Wheel is Ideal	Required: Apple Magic Mouse Note: 3-Button Scrolling Wheel is Ideal

Note: For Apple systems, ensure you have the latest MacOS updates to avoid compatibility issues with design software. Integrated M1/M2 GPUs are suitable for most design tasks, but external GPUs may be needed for advanced rendering.

Additional Notes:

Windows vs. Apple

Windows: Preferred for its compatibility with a wide range of design software and hardware options. Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 are recommended. Ensure the system has NVIDIA GeForce RTX Series GPUs for optimal performance. Iris Xe graphics are insufficient.
Apple: While Apple systems can be used, they require Parallels Desktop to run Windows-only software, which may require a purchased Windows license.

Detailed Specifications

CPU: For PCs, Intel i7 or i9 processors from the 10000-12000 Series are ideal. K series chips are fastest, while U series are slower. For Apple, M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M2 chips function as GPUs.
Display: Higher resolution displays offer clearer visuals and more workspace. OLED screens are the best, though personal preference plays a role.
RAM Memory: Aim for at least 16GB to avoid performance issues. Apple systems running Parallels should ideally have 32GB or more to allocate 16GB to each OS.
Disk Storage: Prefer SSDs or NVMe drives over spinning drives. Apple drives are often soldered and non-upgradeable.
GPU: Check GPU benchmarks to ensure a score of at least 4500. Higher scores are better. For Apple, integrated GPUs in M1/M2 chips are adequate but external GPUs may be needed for intensive tasks.
External Hard Drives: Use USB-C or Thunderbolt connectors for fast data transfer. Cloud storage is also an option.
Ports on Laptops: USB-C and Thunderbolt ports are preferred for faster data transfer. Apple laptops typically have Thunderbolt ports, while PCs should have at least one USB-C/Thunderbolt and one or two standard USB ports.
Flash Drive: Use high-speed USB-C or Thunderbolt drives for efficient data transfer.
Operating System: Ensure you have the latest OS version compatible with required software.

Software Requirements

Business: Microsoft Office (Free through SDSU Office 365)
2D Graphics: Adobe Creative Cloud
BIM: Autodesk Revit (Mac system needs Parallels Desktop to run Autodesk Revit)
3D Modeling: SketchUp Pro
Rendering: Enscape
Virtual PC OS: n/a for Windows / Parallels Desktop (for Mac)
Windows OS: n/a for Windows / Windows 10 64-bit or higher (for Mac)

Important Notes:

Software Licensing: Maintain proof of ownership for all software. The use of pirated software is prohibited.
Custom Laptops: Plan for a 2-6 week delivery time for custom laptops with specific specifications.
Additional Software: Additional software purchases may be required for elective courses. Details will be provided before class registration.

Contact Information:

Support Desk: For installation issues or additional support, contact the SDSU Support Desk at 605-688-6776.
System Specifications:Contact Dr. Sahand Abbasi for detailed information on system specifications before making a purchase.

Suggested Systems:

Windows: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio with GeForce RTX Graphics.
Apple: MacBook Pro with M-series chips.

For any additional questions or guidance, feel free to reach out. Ensuring your system meets these requirements will help you succeed in your Interior Design studies.