2025 Computer Recommendations for Incoming Students
We work with JMU IT and the JMU academic departments to offer you computers that meet the recommendations and requirements for your major. We’ve listed the computers which have been recommended by most of the academic programs below under General Recommendations.
The academic programs with more specific recommendations and requirements are listed separately under Specific Recommendations. Please contact the Madison CyberZone directly if you have additional questions.
Click here to try our interactive Recommendations by Major web app.
College of Business
College of Business requires a laptop that meets their minimum recommendations. While a Windows laptop is preferred for Business, MacBooks are also acceptable using the JMU Virtual Computer Labs.
For more information on COB laptop requirements and recommendations please visit:
Recommended: 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD
MacBook Air w/ 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
MacBook Pro w/ 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
Minimum: 8GB Memory, 256GB SSD
College of Integrated Science and Engineering
School of Integrated Sciences students may be required to use virtualization software such as VirtualBox, VMware or Parallels. Students should consider higher end systems that can adequately support this software.
Recommended: 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD
MacBook Air* w/ 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
MacBook Pro* w/ 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
Minimum: 8GB Memory, 256GB SSD
Geography Program
Geography majors who purchase Apple computers will need to run Windows using Boot Camp or virtualization software. The college will provide a free version of Windows and CISE-IT staff can assist with the installation. We encourage Geography majors to consider Windows based computers. Some of the software taught is graphics intensive and Windows based.
Department of Engineering
We do not recommend Apple computers unless you have already installed Windows on them. All of the Engineering software packages require an Intel or AMD processor and will NOT run on ARM or M-series processors. SolidWorks only certifies NVIDIA Quadro and RTX A-Series graphics cards.
Recommended: 32GB Memory, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA RTX A-Series Graphics Card
Minimum: 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD, NVIDIA RTX A-Series Graphics Card
College of Science and Mathematics
Some software titles for the Physics concentration are taught using the Windows version. While a Mac version may be available, interface and features differ from the Windows version. Windows based labs are available with needed software for students to complete assignments.
MacBook Air* w/ 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
MacBook Pro* w/ 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
School of Art, Design, and Art History
SADAH’s programs require all students to have a laptop computer with and capable of running any necessary software. SADAH considers a laptop an essential tool for total participation in classes and content. If you already own a computer with the minimum specifications, you are encouraged to use it for your foundation courses. For more detailed hardware specifications and software requirements by major, visit the SADAH site.
The systems listed below meet SADAH’s minimum and suggested hardware specifications and are available at the Madison CyberZone.
Suggested: MacOS, 32GB Memory, 512GB SSD
14-inch MacBook Pro w/ M4 Max and 36GB RAM
16-inch MacBook Pro w/ M4 Pro or Max and 36GB RAM
Required: 16GB Memory, 512GB Storage, 4GB VRAM
MacBook Air w/ 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
MacBook Pro w/ 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
Dell Pro 14 plus | Precision 5600 series
Architectural Design
Suggested: Windows 11 Pro, 32GB Memory, 1TB Storage
Required: 16GB Memory, 512GB Storage
Industrial Design
Suggested: MacOS, 48GB Memory, 512GB SSD
MacBook Pro M4 Pro w/ 48GB RAM, 512GB SSD
Required: 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD
School of Media Arts and Design
SMAD recommends students postpone purchasing a computer until they are accepted into the program. SMAD provides multiple full-featured Mac labs that prospective SMAD students may use.
