Graphic Design Laptop Requirements

All juniors entering the Graphic Design BFA program are required to purchase a laptop and software for use in their courses.

Laptop Specs

Students should purchase an Apple Macintosh laptop. Currently, Apple markets two versions of their laptops, the lower-end MacBook and the upper-end MacBook Pro. Either model will be acceptable, provided it meets the following minimum specifications:

  • 1GB RAM (2 GB strongly recommended)
  • 100GB hard drive
  • CD/DVD burner
  • Airport wireless networking

In addition, students may elect to purchase the following items to supplement the laptop:

  • Security cable
  • Laptop bag
  • AppleCare extended warranty (strongly recommended)

Purchasing Laptops

Students may purchase laptops through any number of local vendors. For web purchases, Sage has worked directly with Apple Computer to set up an online store specifically for students entering our program.

Click here to access the Sage Apple Store.

Alternately, you can access the Sage Apple Store as follows:

  1. Log on to www.apple.com and click on the Store tab at the top of the screen.
  2. Click on the word Education in the list directly beneath the Store tab.
  3. Underneath Shop for yourself, click Find your college or university
  4. Enter the zip code 12208, then click Sage College of Albany in the list on the right.
  5. Accept the shopping agreement, then click Take Me There

Software

Students are responsible for purchasing the following software for use on their laptops:

Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Premium (includes latest versions of Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Flash, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop)

We recommend purchasing software through an educational software vendor, since the cost savings can be significant. The following companies sell software at educational discount to students:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you require laptops?
Because the computer is such an important part of our curriculum, we feel it essential for our students to have access to their tools at all times. Laptops literally allow students to carry their studios with them, making it much easier to share ideas, to work collaboratively, and for faculty to consult on specific technical issues. Owning a computer allows students to become proficient with the technology at a level simply not possible working in a shared computer lab. Plus, the laptops give the students the most essential tool theyll need to begin work as a professional once they leave the program.

Can Financial Aid be used to help cover the cost of a laptop?
Yes. The cost of a laptop can be folded into your cost of attendance. Talk to the financial aid department for details on how to do this. In addition, Apple offers their own loan program called the Apple Instant Loan.

I already have a Macintosh laptop. Do I have to buy a new one?
As long as your laptop meets the basic configurations listed above, you should be all set. If not, it may still be possible to upgrade individual components to meet the specifications. (For example, you could purchase an external CD writer if your laptop is not equipped with one, or upgrade software to the current versions.)

I have a Windows laptop. Can I use that instead?
The Graphic Design department at Sage is entirely Mac-based (as is most of the professional graphic design world). While all the required software is available in identical Windows versions, you may run into difficulties with things like exchanging files across platforms, working with fonts, etc. Please realize that if you choose to work on the Windows platform, all such configuration issues will be your responsibility.

Where do I go for support? What if it breaks?
Apple laptops come with a one-year warranty. You can purchase an extended warranty for three years (called Apple Care) when you purchase your laptop. There are several authorized Apple repair centers in the Capital District area.

We strongly recommend purchasing a good laptop bag to protect the computer when youre not using it, as well as a cable lock to secure the computer if you need to leave it for a moment. Thefts at Sage are rare, but it pays to be cautious.

What if it gets lost or stolen? Is it covered by insurance?
Most likely your laptop will be covered by your homeowners insurance policy, although you may have to add a separate rider for it. Talk to your insurance agent for details. If you choose to purchase separate insurance for your laptop, you might want to look at a company like Safeware which specializes in laptop coverage.