Computer Requirements

• Animation. While Champlain College provides lab access to computers and software for all courses, we highly recommend that students come prepared with their own laptop or desktop computer. A laptop is preferable over a desktop due to its portability and adaptability to different classroom settings, as well as for ease in group projects common in Animation classes. Animation coursework will require a computer with specific processing speeds and graphics capabilities to support development of portfolio pieces and team-oriented projects.

• • Recommended PC Specifications:
    For Animation students, a PC with a Windows operating system is advised. This setup will allow you to render scenes, simulate visual effects (VFX), and work on compositing shots. While high-speed performance, advanced graphics, and extensive storage are not required at an early stage, a reasonably powerful setup will ensure smooth operation for most Animation tasks.
  • Suggested:
    • i7: Latest generation/AMD Ryzen 9
    • Nvidia RTX video card
    • 32GB RAM
    • 1TB SSD
    • Second monitor for student’s dorm room
    • USB or Bluetooth keyboard
    • USB or Bluetooth headphones
  • Minimum:
    
    • i7 10th generation/AMD Ryzen 7
    • Nvidia RTX, Radeon RX, GTX 1080 video card
    • 16GB RAM
    • 500GB SSD
• Creative Media. Continued access to a computer is important. A laptop is handy for the flexibility it provides, but the choice of laptop or desktop is really a matter of preference. Because of the diversity of study within the Creative Media program, we do not have a blanket recommendation for a platform. For instance, Macs are favored by many in the creative industries and should be your choice if graphic design is a primary area of study, but those pursuing a specialization in Game Media may find a Windows-based PC more useful (see the computer specifications for Game Design and Game Art majors for more information). Students with interests in both areas will likely choose one platform for everyday use and access Champlain labs for projects that require software only available for the other platform.
  • Some programs strongly recommend a laptop beginning junior year. As Creative Media students approach their junior year, we recommend that they take stock of their computing needs in relation to their individual areas of specialization. Each student’s Faculty Advisor can help them understand what applications and capabilities will be most important for their specialization areas in the junior and senior years.
• Filmmaking. Mac laptops are strongly recommended starting sophomore year—please contact your Program Director for specific hardware and software specifications. Additionally, two 1-terabyte or greater hard drives—one for storage and one to back up—are highly recommended. A computer capable of editing HD footage is necessary, but you can also use Champlain’s workstations located around the campus.
• Graphic Design & Visual Communication. A Mac laptop is recommended starting junior year. Recommended minimum requirements: MacBook Pro Apple Silicon (M2,M3) CPU/GPU of any class; 1TB internal SSD storage; 16GB Min RAM, 32GB recommended. Students may also consider investing in a professional digital camera or an external drawing tablet, like a Huion or Wacom.
• Game Art, Game Design, and Game Sound Design. Students should look at the requirements listed in the Game Studio requirements.
• Interaction Design. A laptop is recommended starting junior year. Each student’s individual focus (visual design, implementation, game UX/UI) may impact their platform choice. If a student is more interested in implementation or game UX/UI, then they should look at the recommendations for Interactive Narrative for Games & Digital Media. If they are more interested in visual design, then they should look at Graphic Design & Visual Communication.
• Interactive Narrative for Games & Digital Media. Interactive Narrative for Games & Digital Media students have two options to meet the laptop requirement:
  1. Those interested in making AAA-type games using Unity or Unreal or taking any of the Game Studio’s multidisciplinary classes, like Game Studio, I, II or Senior Capstone, will need the same laptop required of Game Studio students.
  2. Those who are NOT interested in making AAA-style games with tools like Unity or Unreal and do not plan on working on multi-discipline teams can use the recommended Windows laptop.
     • Suggested Game Laptop:
       
       • Windows OS
       • i7: Latest generation/AMD Ryzen 9
       • Nvidia RTX video card
       • 32GB RAM
       • 1TB SSD
       • Second monitor for student’s dorm room
       • USB or Bluetooth headphones
     • Minimum Game Laptop:
       • Windows OS
       • i7 10th generation/AMD Ryzen 7
       • Nvidia RTX, Radeon RX, GTX 1080 video card
       • 16GB RAM
       • 500GB SSD
     • Recommended Windows Laptop:
       • 12th or 13th generation i5 Intel Microprocessor
       • 16 GB RAM
       • 512 GB SSD
       • Webcam
       • USB-C Video Output Port
     • Example Models for 2024/2025:
       • Dell Inspiron 16

Note: While a Mac can be made to work, in general students will find it easier and will have greater flexibility with a Windows machine. Most classes are taught in a Windows environment

• Writing & Publishing. Constant access to a computer will be essential, but the choice of tablet, laptop, or desktop and the choice of a Mac or PC platform is the student’s preference.

SoSI Division majors:

• Applied Sustainability
• Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Education
• Psychology
• Social Work

Although the College has considerable shared computer resources available on campus, a student-owned personal computer allows for flexibility and convenience. The campus provides broad wireless access and a laptop computer is especially practical, but the choice of laptop or desktop is largely a matter of student preference.

Purchasing a refurbished computer is an alternative, affordable option. Locally, Computers for Change sells high-quality refurbished computers with warranties, promoting reuse of functioning electronics to reduce electronic waste and resource use.

Most of the majors in the ITS Division are computing intensive:

• Applied Mathematics
• Digital Forensics
• Digital Humanities
• Computer Networking & Cybersecurity
• Computer Science & Innovation
• Game Programming*

These programs require the use of highly specialized software, which is why we continue to maintain and expand our outstanding computer labs and classrooms. Specific hardware and software needs vary tremendously by course and by program, and it can be costly and difficult for students to keep their computers as up-to-date and as fully equipped as our labs.

Some general guidelines:

Most small computers sold through retail venues or the major online distributors (laptop, desktop, or mini-tower) are generally adequate for a student’s coursework both in and out of the ITS Division at Champlain College. A lightweight laptop combined with a comfortable docking station (e.g., ergonomic keyboard and mouse combined with relatively high-resolution dual monitors) is much more useful than an overpowered desktop. Especially when purchasing a laptop, but also for desktop purchases, it is important to be sure your computer comes with a warranty.

Minimum guidelines for MOST majors

If you are planning to purchase a new computer or upgrade an existing computer, the following are minimum requirements for most majors. The configuration would accommodate most students’ needs for the first two years. It may be beneficial to upgrade for the junior and senior courses:

• A system (laptop or desktop) running Windows 10 or newer
• A computer that has a modern Intel Core processor or comparable AMD processor
• 16 GB or more RAM
• 500 GB or more hard drive
• Laptops wireless capable

Computer Science & Innovation Major – LAPTOP REQUIRED with the following minimum specifications for 2024/2025:

• 12th or 13th generation i5 Intel Microprocessor, Apple M2 Microprocessor, or AMD Ryzen 6000+ mobile series (U series)
• 16 GB RAM
• 512 GB SSD
• Webcam
• USB-C Video Output Port

Example Models for 2024/2025:

• Dell Inspiron 16 Intel Core 7 / 16 GB RAM / 1 TB SSD
• MacBook Air M3 16 GB RAM / 512 GB SSD

*Game Programming students should look at the requirements listed in the Game Studio specifications.

A student-owned PC or Mac laptop is the ideal choice for business students at Champlain to use in classroom activities. The information below applies to the following majors:

• Business Administration
• Game Business & Publishing*
• Game Production Management*
• Marketing
• Marketing Communication

Laptop: PC or Mac
A laptop running Windows 10 or newer or Mac OS Sonoma or newer (M-series processor preferred).

Minimum configuration:

• 16 GB RAM/unified memory, 512 GB storage
• Mac users may also need to acquire a licensed copy of a Windows operating system for their Mac computer, depending on software requirements for classes

*Game Business & Publishing and Game Production Management students should look at the requirements listed in the Game Studio options below.

Constant access to a computer will be important, but the choice of laptop or desktop platform is largely a matter of student preference. The campus provides robust wireless access, so a laptop computer is especially practical for group projects and working in the library or classrooms.

Game Studio majors:

• Game Art
• Game Business & Publishing
• Game Design
• Game Production Management
• Game Programming
• Game Sound Design
• Interactive Narrative for Games & Digital Media

While all Champlain College students have lab access that includes the computers and software needed for all courses, it is highly suggested that students come prepared with a laptop or desktop computer.

We recommend a laptop rather than a desktop computer because of its portability and flexibility in various classroom settings, and for doing the group work associated with our Game Studio game development classes. Homework for all majors in the Game Studio will necessitate a computer with specific processing speeds and graphics capabilities that will allow students to both develop and test/play the games they make on the computer.

PC Specifications:

Students in Game Art, Game Business & Publishing, Game Design, Game Production Management, Game Programming, and Interactive Narrative for Games & Digital Media should purchase a PC with a Windows operating system. Game Business & Publishing and Game Production Management students should need only the minimum specifications. This will allow them to test/play games, but they won’t need as much speed, graphics, and storage as the developers.

Suggested:

• • i7 or i9 or latest generation/AMD Ryzen 9
  • Nvidia RTX video card
  • 32GB RAM
  • 1TB SSD
  • Second monitor for student dorm room
  • USB or Bluetooth keyboard
  • USB or Bluetooth headphones

Minimum:

• • i7 10th generation/AMD Ryzen 7
  • Nvidia RTX, Radeon RX, GTX 1080 video card
  • 16GB RAM
  • 500GB SSD

Mac Specifications (Game Sound Design only):

All of the sound classrooms and the recording studio on campus use Mac computers and software, so we recommend a Mac computer for Game Sound Design students. However, comparable software for PC is available, so you may choose between Mac or Windows operating systems (see PC specifications above).

Suggested:

• • MacBook Pro ’13 or later
  • 2.0GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core Processor with Intel Iris Plus Graphics
  • 16GB RAM
  • 1TB SSD
  • Second monitor for student dorm room
  • USB Keyboard
  • USB or Bluetooth sound-canceling headphones

Minimum:

• • MacBook Pro ’13
  • Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU
  • 16GB unified memory
  • 512GB SSD storage
  • USB or Bluetooth sound-canceling headphones