Computer Specifications
The following are minimum recommendations and system requirements. Should you elect to bring a computer, be aware that some curricula require more powerful computers. Please see below for specific program requirements. Please check with the college of your field of study for their computer hardware and software recommendations. The University of Tampa has numerous open computer labs to support study, homework and research needs.
- Core i5 or higher processor
- 16 GB of RAM (minimum)
- 256 GB of Hard Drive (minimum)
- Computer Protection Plan/Warranty
- WiFi Enabled
- Integrated webcam and mic
- Headset - see recommendations below.
If you are using Zoom, learn more about Zoom system requirements , including camera, speakerphone and bandwidth requirements. Headset recommendations include the following:
- MPOW BH071A USB Headset — Crystal clear sound with reduced background noise
- Jabra Evolve Series Headsets —There are several models in this series with varying features.
- Logitech H390 USB Computer Headset —The Logitech should work well for most casual desktop web/video conferencing users.
- Any compatible printer
- Printer cable to connect to the printer (wireless printers are not supported)
- Headsets
- Microsoft Windows 11 (or higher) or Apple macOS Ventura (13.0 or higher)
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (free via the Internet)
Windows
- Intel Core i7/Ryzen 7 processor (Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 recommended)
- Windows 11 (64-bit)
- 16GB of RAM (32GB or more recommended)
- 512GB SSD drive (1TB SSD recommended)
- 1920x1080 display resolution (2560 x 1440 or larger recommended)
- Wi-Fi enabled
MacOS
- MacBook Air or Pro (Pro recommended)
- M4 processor with 10 cores (M5 with 10+ cores processor recommended)
- MacOS 26 or higher
- 16GB unified memory (24GB or more recommended)
- 512GB SSD drive (1TB SSD recommended)
Accessories
- USB hard drive (1TB minimum) for backup and archiving purposes
- USB flash drives for transporting/ handing in work
- Extra power supply
- USB-C to USB-A adapters
- Adapters for connecting to HDMI projectors
Windows (Student Laptops)
- Intel Core i7/Ryzen 7 processor (Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 recommended)
- Windows 11 (64 bit)
- 16GB of RAM (32GB or more recommended)
- 512GB SSD drive (1TB SSD recommended)
- 1920x1080 display resolution (2560 x 1440 or larger recommended)
- Wi-Fi enabled
Accessories
- USB hard drive (1TB minimum) for backup and archiving purposes
- USB flash drives for transporting/ handing in work
- Extra power supply
- Adapters for connecting to HDMI projectors
BFA in Animation / BFA in New Media:
(for intensive BFA/BA production and post-production workflows)
Option 1: Windows Laptop
(Recommended for Unreal-heavy workflows and high-end 3D/real-time pipelines)
Minimum
- CPU: Intel Core i9 (14th/15th gen) or AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 Laptop GPU
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD
- Display: 16–17” with strong color coverage
Recommended
- CPU: Intel Core i9 (14th/15th gen) or AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: 2TB+ NVMe SSD (4TB preferred if keeping multiple Unreal projects local)
- Display: 16–17” with strong color coverage
Best (for the heaviest Unreal + simulations + large texture sets)
- CPU: Intel Core i9 (14th/15th gen) or AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
- RAM: 128GB
- Storage: 4TB NVMe SSD
- Display: 16–17” with strong color coverage
Option 2: Apple/Macintosh Laptop
(Recommended Mac configuration for animation + new media workflows)
Recommended (Workhorse / 4-year spec)
- Model: 16-inch MacBook Pro
- Display: 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR
- Nano-texture display: Recommended
- Chip: Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)
- Memory: 64GB unified memory
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Power: 140W USB-C Power Adapter
- Ports: Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, SDXC card slot, headphone jack, MagSafe 3
- Keyboard: Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (US English)
- Included Software: Photos, iMovie, GarageBand; Pages, Numbers, Keynote; macOS
Accessories:
- Required: Wacom Intuos Creative Pen Tablet Small (Intuos Pro Small recommended)
- USB hard drive (1TB minimum) for backup and archiving purposes
- USB flash drives for transporting/ handing in work
- Extra power supply
- Adapters for connecting to HDMI projectors
B.A. and BFA in Film and Media Arts, and BFA in New Media:
(Editing-first filmmaking workflow with 3D rendering)
Apple/Macintosh Laptop
Minimum
- Model: 16-inch MacBook Pro
- Chip: M4 Pro
- Memory: 48GB unified memory
- Storage: 1TB SSD
Recommended
- Model: 16-inch MacBook Pro
- Chip: M4 Pro (great) or M4 Max (best for Unreal + heavier motion graphics)
- Memory: 64GB unified memory
- Storage: 2TB SSD (or 1TB + disciplined external SSD workflow)
Best
- Model: 16-inch MacBook Pro
- Chip: M4 Max
- Memory: 64GB unified memory
- Storage: 2TB SSD (plus external SSD for active projects)
Why 16-inch: More sustained performance and a larger, higher-quality display for editing timelines, color work, and multi-app workflows.
Accessories:
Required for all programs:
- External USB Hard Drive (1TB minimum) for backup and archiving or, External SSD for active projects (2TB recommended)
- USB flash drives for transporting/handing in work
- MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with:
- M1 chip (or higher)
- 16 GB unified memory minimum (24 GB or more recommended)
- 512 GB SSD storage minimum (1 TB SSD storage or more recommended)
- MacOS installed (version 13.5 or later recommended)
- DAW application installed for composing, sequencing, recording, mixing, mastering (e.g., Logic Pro)
- Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (or similar adapter for USB-C to HDMI and USB-A connections)
- Extra Apple Power Adapter with Charge Cable
- USB-A flash drive for transferring work (64 GB or higher recommended)
- Over-ear, closed-back studio headphones for recording/sequencing (e.g., Sony MDR-7506)
- Over-ear, semi-open studio headphones for mixing/mastering (e.g., AKG K240 Studio)
- M1 chip (or higher)
- 16 GB unified memory minimum (24 GB or more recommended)
- 512 GB SSD storage minimum (1 TB SSD storage or more recommended)
- MacOS installed (version 13.5 or later recommended)
- DAW application installed for composing, sequencing, recording, mixing, mastering (e.g., Logic Pro)
