All first-year students and transfer students in interior design are required to have a laptop that meets the specifications outlined below and have the required design software installed prior to the first day of class in the fall semester. All computers purchased for use in the interior design program MUST use Windows 11.
The NDSU Interior Design program has provided options for laptops that meet this specification on our website. Laptops may also be purchased from ASUS, Dell, HP, MSI or other vendors if the hardware meets the minimum specifications and you are comfortable with the warranty and pricing they offer. You will be using this laptop for the next four years with very intense design software and complex files, so plan accordingly.
If you have any questions about the laptop specifications or purchasing, please contact: Ben Bernard, Design Technologist 701-793-9528
Purchasing your Laptop
Most big-box stores do NOT sell a system that meets these requirements ‘on the shelf’ so make sure you ORDER DIRECTLY from the NDSU Bookstore or manufacturer so they can build to suit. Let them know you are a student for any discounts that may be available.
Minimum Laptop Specifications
The following are the system requirements based on Autodesk Revit 2027, Autodesk AutoCAD 2027, SketchUp Studio, and various rendering software packages as the primary design software that are integrated into the interior design curriculum.
The NDSU Bookstore stocks a limited number of design performance laptops available with a four-year warranty that covers accidental damage.
Operating System
- Microsoft® Windows®
- No Macs for the Interior Design program will be allowed as some software does not have the same interface as a PC and other software is not available for OS X. Industry standard is a PC and that is what we teach. Windows emulation is not supported.
Processor
- Intel Core Ultra 7 (Ultra 9 Preferred)(1)
Memory and Hard Drive
- 32 GB RAM(2)
- 1 TB Solid State Drive (SSD)
Video Display
- 16” or 17” monitor size(3)
- 1920 x 1200 with true color, maximum Ultra-High (4k) definition monitor
Video Card (Dedicated only)(4)
- Dedicated video card (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 8GB or better)
- Graphics card must be dedicated, NOT integrated, to run industry standard modeling programs. You WILL NOT be able to install/open/run certain required programs if you do not have the appropriate required graphics card.
- Intel-based graphics cards WILL NOT WORK.
- Compare graphics cards
Webcam
- Either integrated with laptop or purchase an external webcam to support Hy Flex instruction as needed.
Warranty
- We strongly recommend purchasing a warranty that will last the duration of your academic career and features ‘in home’ support. Consider accidental coverage as well.
Accessories
- Ergonomic three-button USB Optical Scroll Wheel Mouse.
- Earphones/ear buds with microphone
- Computer case/bag
Software Installed Prior to the First Day of Classes
Students are responsible for ensuring the below software is installed and properly operating prior to the first day of class. If you are having difficulty downloading software or need assistance setting up your laptop, go to the ITS Help Desk, Quentin Burdick Building – Room 206.
NDSU Wireless Access
Web Browser & Cloud File Storage
Productivity Software
- Microsoft Office Home and Student (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) – Free
Software Installed as Instructed at Later Date
Students are responsible for installing the software listed below when instructed by their course instructors. Please do not download until you are enrolled in the required course. For assistance with installation or technical issues, contact the NDSU IT Help Desk.
Autodesk AutoCAD Software
Autodesk Revit Software
SketchUp Studio Software
Rendering Software
- Faculty member will provide resources when needed.
CET Designer Software
- CET Designer (latest version) FREE. Faculty member will provide resources when needed.
NDSU Interior Design program is not responsible for any issues that arise for students who fail to purchase a laptop using these specifications.
Notes
- Core 7/9 processors from Intel are the fastest with the least number of flaws.
- 32GB of RAM is required so you can have more than one program running at once with fast performance.
- 17” laptops offer more display and battery life at the cost of adding a few additional pounds of weight.
- For the dedicated graphics card, we require a Nvidia card because most design software is optimized for Nvidia cards. We require a higher spec graphic card due to the demanding design rendering software integrated into the curriculum. Rendering is challenging on your laptop, especially when trying to work on other coursework.
Revised June 2026 (SRD)