Laptop & Software Requirements
All Interior Architecture + Design (IAD) students must have a laptop that meets or exceeds the specifications listed below for use throughout the IAD curriculum. Choosing a laptop that exceeds the minimum specifications is strongly recommended to ensure design software runs smoothly through graduation.
- Undergraduate students must have a laptop by the semester they enroll in ID-323 Presentation Drawings, typically in the fall of their third year.
- Graduate students (First-Professional) must have a laptop by the semester they enroll in ID-323 Presentation Drawings, typically in the fall of their second year.
- Graduate students (Post-Professional) must have a laptop by their first semester of study.
Recommended Laptops
The following laptops have been vetted by the IAD program and meet or exceed our hardware requirements. Prices listed are before any available student discounts.
| Laptop | Specs | Price |
|---|---|---|
| FX608LP-BS96 ASUS TUF Gaming F16 (2025) ⭐ Upgrade Pick |
Intel Ultra 9 Processor · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 · 32GB Memory · 1TB SSD Storage | $1,900 before student discount |
| FX608LP-BS96 ASUS TUF Gaming F16 (2025) |
Intel Ultra 9 Processor · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 · 32GB Memory · 1TB SSD Storage | $1,700 before student discount |
| FA608UHI-OB73 ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (2025) |
AMD Ryzen™ 7 260 Processor · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 · 32GB Memory · 512 GB SSD Storage | $1,600 before student discount |
updated: June 17, 2026
Laptop Specifications
The IAD program requires a Windows laptop. Mac laptops are not compatible with several critical programs used in the curriculum and industry. The department does not provide technical support for Mac systems.
| Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| operating system: | 64-bit Microsoft® Windows 10 v1809 or later or Windows 11. | |
| processor: | Intel Ultra 9 Processor or higher AMD Ryzen™ 7 260 Processor or higher |
|
| memory/RAM: | 32 GB RAM | 32 GB RAM |
| hard drive: | 500GB SSD drive | 1TB SSD drive |
| display: | 16″ screen with external monitor | 16″ screen |
| graphics card/GPU:** | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 |
| mouse: | 3-button mouse | |
| unsupported hardware: | The following graphics cards are NOT compatible with software used in our curriculum.
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Software Requirements
IAD students are required to install the following software on their personal laptops while enrolled at Marymount University.
| Software | Initial Course | Initial Use in Program | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign |
VIS-121 Intro to Digital Tools | Year 1 (B.A.) Year 1 (M.A.) |
Provided at no additional cost to IAD majors. Covered by the program software fee. |
| AutoCAD | ID Elective (optional) | Year 4 (B.A.) Year 3 (M.A.) |
Free for students at Autodesk.com |
| SketchUp | ID Elective (optional) | Approximately $55/year at SketchUp.com | |
| Revit Architecture | ID-323 – Presentation Drawings | Year 3 (B.A.) Year 2 (M.A.) |
Free for students at Autodesk.com |
| Enscape | ID-323 – Presentation Drawings | Year 3 (B.A.) Year 2 (M.A.) |
Provided at no additional cost to IAD majors. Covered by the program software fee. |
