Laptop Info
All incoming students are required to purchase a laptop upon entering the Cornish College Design Department, and each discipline within Design has a set of recommended computer hardware and software specifications. We recommend these systems to ensure our students are using the same software and hardware that working professionals are using in the field.
Hardware Requirements
Visual Communication & Motion Students
Incoming Visual Communication and Motion students are required to have an Apple Macintosh laptop. Information on specifications for purchasing a new system can be found on this page. If you have already invested in a different system, please contact us.
Macbook Pro Series
External Storage Requirements
Interior Design Students
We are presently assessing the needs of Interior design students based on hardware and software requirements. For the most up-to-date recommendations on hardware, contact the Design Computer Support Coordinator.
Where to Buy
It’s best to buy your new computer directly from Apple. Only Apple Stores and the Apple Cornish web site can offer educational discounts. You’ll almost always pay more for a computer from a reseller (such as The MAC store, CompUSA and MacMall). To purchase your computer online, please visit the official Cornish Apple Store.
Software Requirements
All Design Students
Incoming students are required to have Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium installed on their laptop first day of classes. Students may wish to consider additional software packages on a class-by-class basis, but these programs are not required. Learn more about Creative Suite.
Where to Buy
For the best discounted educational pricing, please visit My Education Store.
Additional Information
In addition to the required hardware, there are a number of optional hardware devices students may find helpful. These items are not required.
USB Flash Drive
Also known as jump, thumb and pen drives, they may be used for transferring files from one computer to another and are great for a quick back-up. Prices begin at $10, and sizes range from 1 GB to 8 GB.
Blank DVDs or CDs
Often referred to as CD-Rs and or DVD-Rs, these are useful for submitting work or resumes, and storing files or projects. They can be purchased in towers of 25 or 50. They are cheaper purchased in bulk.
Digital Camera
Occasionally instructors assign projects which require photography. Cornish has a few cameras that can be borrowed. However, owning your own offers great benefits, and you don’t have to depend on availability of school cameras.
Amazing features and quality can be found in point-and-shoot cameras ranging from $150 to $300. There are many brands to choose from, however Canon, Nikon or Olympus are three which have evolved from the previous generation of SLR cameras and are well respected in the digital world. Sonys, although a popular reliable product, are not suggested as they require proprietary accessories or hardware and thus are not 100% compatible.
External Hard Drive
An external hard drive with a firewire connection is strongly recommended for backing up data. Like a car engine, hard drives will eventually wear out, and they may also malfunction at any time. Hard drives can cost anywhere from $80 to $500 depending on the size and quality.
Backing up data daily or weekly is strongly encouraged. The most recent operating system offers “Time Machine” a utility which helps manage routine backups.
Ethernet Cable
Also called RJ-45 cable. These are useful to have with you while on campus in case you need to transfer or print large files. A 6 ft cable usually costs under $10.
