While BGSU does not have a computer purchase requirement, the expectations related to technology can vary significantly based upon the academic program and what is prevalent in that field. This guide is designed to support academic success by providing BGSU students with technology recommendations based upon their major course of study.
Those academic programs have also included information on software and accessories appropriate for their academic disciplines. In addition, Ziggabyte® and ITS have provided helpful information about using technology and related services offered at BGSU.
ITS Device Recommendations
Most students looking to bring a laptop should be fine with the base standard laptop of their choice listed below. Some academic programs require computers with more capabilities and so we have put together a list of those programs and if they recommend the medium or high standards that are also detailed below.
Windows Standard Recommendations
Select the Base, Medium, or High Standard tabs to see more information on the Windows devices recommended by BGSU.
- Intel Core i5 (13th Generation) or equivalent
- 256GB internal storage
- 16GB RAM
- Integrated Graphics
- 3-4 year warranty
- Example Model
- Intel Core i7 (13th Generation) or equivalent
- 1TB internal storage
- 16GB RAM
- 4GB Dedicated Graphics
- 3-4 year warranty
- Example Model
- Intel Core i9 (13th Generation) or equivalent
- 1TB internal storage
- 64GB RAM
- 8GB Dedicated Graphics
- 3-4 year warranty
- Example Model
Mac Standard Recommendations
Select the Base, Medium, or High Standard tabs to see more information on the MacOS devices recommended by BGSU.
- 13" M-Series Macbook Air
- 256GB Internal Storage
- 16GB Unified Memory
- 3-4 year warranty
- Example Model
- 15" M-Series Macbook Air
- 512GB Internal Storage
- 24GB Unified Memory
- 3-4 year warranty
- Example Model
- 16" M-Series "Pro" Macbook Pro
- 512GB Internal Storage
- 24GB Unified Memory
- 3-4 year warranty
- Example Model
*ITS does not recommend the use of Chromebooks because they are not compatible with many BGSU software applications.
Recommended Devices by Major/Department
| COLLEGE | MAJOR/PROGRAM | WINDOWS RECOMMENDATION | MAC RECOMMENDATION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Arts & Sciences | American Culture Studies, Ethnic Studies, Popular Culture, Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies | Base Standard | Base Standard | Wireless mouse, webcam, and additional 32GB-64GB flash drive |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Computer Science | Medium Standard | Not Recommended | |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Film Production | Medium Standard | Medium Standard (Preferred) | Students have access to Film Production’s Mac computer lab and rental equipment both in and outside of class meetings, so no computer is required. An external hard drive of at least 1TB is recommended. |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Media Production and Studies | Base Standard | Base Standard | Software: Adobe Creative Cloud, required Accessories: 500 GB minimum external hard drive for backups |
| College of Arts & Sciences | School of Cultural and Critical Studies | Base Standard | Base Standard | Accessories: 32GB-64GB flash drive is recommended, wireless mouse |
| College of Arts & Sciences | School of Art | N/A | N/A | This program has significant recommendations, please reference School of Art in the "Specific Technology Recommendations Based on Major" section |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Digital Arts | N/A | N/A | This program has significant recommendations, please reference Digital Arts in the "Specific Technology Recommendations Based on Major" section |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Graphic Design | Not Recommended | Medium Standard | Years 1–2: An iPad that meets current requirements running Photoshop + Apple Pencil required. Software: Adobe Creative Cloud All-Apps Student Subscription plan. Years 2–4: MacBook Pro (best you can afford) for ongoing graphic design work and classes. |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Sociology | Medium Standard | Not Recommended | Software: SPSS |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Fire Administration | Base Standard | Base Standard | Software: SPSS |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Mathematics and Statistics | Medium Standard | Medum Standard | Software: R/Studio, LockDown Browser, Python |
| College of Arts & Sciences | Psychology | Base Standard | Base Standard | |
| College of Education and Human Development | General | Base Standard | Base Standard | |
| College of Education and Human Development | Interior Design | High Standard | Not Recommended | Accessories: External hard drive (backup) & flash drive (required). Wireless mouse preferred. Full keypad keyboard. 15" min screen (17" preferred). Software: Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3DS Max, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office. Don’t pre-buy extras. |
| College of Education and Human Development | Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching Program | Base Standard | Base Standard | |
| Schmidthorst College of Business | Business Administration | Medium Standard (Required)* | Not Recommended | *Schmidthorst College of Business students are required to have a Windows device for use in the program. Much of the software used for coursework is only compatible with Windows OS. This applies to all specializations under the Business Administration major. Software: R Studio, R, LockDown Browser, and SPSS |
| College of Musical Arts | General | Base Standard | Base Standard | |
| College of Health and Human Services | Nursing | Base Standard | Base Standard | Software: Lockdown Browser Accessories: Webcam |
| College of Health and Human Services | Food and Nutrition | Base Standard | Base Standard | |
| College of Health and Human Services | Medical Laboratory Science | Base Standard | Base Standard | |
| College of Health and Human Services | Public and Allied Health | Base Standard | Base Standard | |
| College of Engineering and Innovation | Architectural and Environmental Design | Medium Standard | Not Recommended | Accessories:15” Minimum screen size. External drive for backups; flash drive required. Wireless mouse recommended. Programs: Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3DS Max, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office (free student licenses available) |
| College of Engineering and Innovation | Aviation Studies: Flight Technology and Operations | Base Standard | Base Standard | Software: ForeFlight application for an iPad |
| College of Engineering and Innovation | Construction Management | Base Standard | Not Recommended | Accessories: 1 TB or greater capacity external hard drive or SSD recommended |
| College of Engineering and Innovation | Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering | Base Standard (Preferred) | Base Standard | Software: Windows devices preferred; SolidWorks, Mastercam and ANSYS only work on Windows |
| College of Engineering and Innovation | Electronics and Computer Engineering | Medium Standard (Preferred) | Medium Standard | Windows is preferred as some software does not run properly on MacOS |
| College of Engineering and Innovation | Robotics Engineering | Medium Standard | Medlum Standard | Software: Adobe Creative Cloud Accessories: 32GB min external hard drive |
| College of Engineering and Innovation | Engineering Technology | Base Standard (Preferred) | Base Standard | Software: Windows devices preferred. SolidWorks, Mastercam, and ANSYS only work on Windows. All necessary software is availble in the computer labs but students wishing to complete assignments using their personal devices must purchase the software separately. |
| College of Engineering and Innovation | Visual Communication Technology | Medium Standard | Medium Standard | Software: Adobe Creative Cloud. Accessories: 1TB external drive, 32GB+ Class 6 SD card, DSLR/mirrorless camera with video. A computer is not required to complete their degree as labs are available to use, but external storage devices are required. |
| Graduate College | Doctor of Physical Therapy Program | Medium Standard | Medium Standard | For technology requirements and recommendations for the DPT program, please visit this website. |
Specific Technology Recommendations Based on Major
College of Arts & Sciences
School of Art Computer Requirements - First Two years
An iPad that meets or exceeds the current minimum system requirements for running Photoshop, and a compatible Apple Pencil, is required for all Digital Arts students.
Software: Adobe Creative Cloud All-Apps Student Subscription Plan - As recommended by your classes. Not required on first day of class.
500GB or larger portable hard drive
Additional Recommendations
Students are not required to purchase a computer. Students can utilize the school's computer labs. If a student wishes to buy a computer, we recommend a Mac or PC platform with these minimum specifications:
If you feel you also need a PC or a Mac
i5 or i7 Intel® Core™, Apple M2, or equivalent/better processor
Minimum 512GB internal storage
16GB RAM
A dedicated video card (PC only)
Software: Adobe CC for some classes, Procreate (Recommended)
Note: Digital Arts Students 'evolve' as they progress through the department. We don't like giving hard specs for the first two years. A person doing digital painting may never need more than an iPad. A person doing 3D rendering may have to build their own PC. Students diverge a lot between the 2-3rd years. Graphic Designers will probably never need anything other than a MacBook Pro after the first two years, but an iPad is required for a few of their first year classes, so starting with an iPad is recommended.
School of Art Computer Requirements - First Two years
An iPad that meets or exceeds the current minimum system requirements for running Photoshop, and a compatible Apple Pencil, is required for all Digital Arts students.
Software: Adobe Creative Cloud All-Apps Student Subscription Plan - As recommended by your classes. Not required on first day of class.
500GB or larger portable hard drive
Additional Recommendations
Students are not required to purchase a computer. Students can utilize the school's computer labs. If a student wishes to buy a computer, we recommend a Mac or PC platform with these minimum specifications:
If you feel you also need a PC or a Mac
i5 or i7 Intel® Core™, Apple M2, or equivalent/better processor
Minimum 512GB internal storage
16GB RAM
A dedicated video card (PC only)
Software: Adobe CC for some classes, Procreate (Recommended)
Note: Digital Arts Students 'evolve' as they progress through the department. We don't like giving hard specs for the first two years. A person doing digital painting may never need more than an iPad. A person doing 3D rendering may have to build their own PC. Students diverge a lot between the 2-3rd years. Graphic Designers will probably never need anything other than a MacBook Pro after the first two years, but an iPad is required for a few of their first year classes, so starting with an iPad is recommended.
The recommendations below are more detailed specs and/or accessories (in addition to those included in the Recommended Devices table) provided by specific colleges and departments.
ITS Services
- Free hardware repairs for Dell and Apple computers covered by warranty
- Open computer labs (walk-in use)
- BGSU account support
- Campus-wide printing from personal devices and computer labs
- Cloud file storage using OneDrive
- Office 365 – five free installations of Microsoft Office suite
- Self-help guides for connecting your devices
- The estimated cost of using a personal printer is double the cost of using campus printers
- Personal wireless printers are blocked from accessing the BGSU network
- Add money to your BG1 card to print via campus printers
- Print from your laptop, phone or tablet to any student printer on campus
Updated: 05/05/2026 02:25PM