Mobile Device – Animation

Apple MacBook or Windows Laptop – Custom model is recommended for your program

Page updated July 28, 2025

Computer Specs – Fall 2025 – Winter 2026

Your laptop and separate Pen Display Drawing Tablet (on which you draw on the tablet’s screen – not a separate monitor/computer) are required for your first day of classes!

We recommend that first year students purchase one portable external hard drive with a capacity of at least 1 terabyte TB.

Please Note:

These computer specs change in summer (July / August) with the updated animation studio software requirements. Wait to buy your laptop until August before your term starts.

Before beginning the program, students are required to purchase either a MacOS or Windows laptop with these recommended specs (cost: $1900 – $3,400).

We are a Mac based program and IF students choose to buy a Windows PC, they still have to be able to read Mac based Pages and Keynotes files.

If a Windows laptop is purchased, students must have a valid iCloud account plus the laptop must be configured to run Toon Boon Harmony Premium and Autodesk Maya Software.

Below are the computer specs for both software packages.

Either computer must be able to handle the current MAYA and Toon Boom’s Harmony software as recommended by the software companies’ website.

You will need as much memory as you can afford – We recommend a 16 Ram minimum or more for your choice of computers.

Autodesk Maya 2026 System Requirements:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-Requirements-for-Autodesk-Maya-2026.html

Toon Boom Harmony 25 System Requirements:
https://docs.toonboom.com/help/harmony-25/advanced/system-requirements/harmony-25.html

MacBook specs

15-inch M4 MacBook Air:

  • Chip: Apple M4 (10-core CPU & GPU)
  • Memory: 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Display: 15.3” Liquid Retina (2880×1864, 500 nits, True Tone)
  • Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
  • Charging: MagSafe 3 + 35W adapter
  • Ports: 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), MagSafe, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Camera: 12MP FaceTime HD (Center Stage)
  • Audio: 4 speakers with Spatial Audio
  • Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
  • Keyboard: Backlit with Touch ID
  • External Display: Up to 2x 6K monitors

Accessories:
Purchase a three-button mouse of your choice. Purchase a mouse pad of your choice. It is recommended that students buy the three-year Apple Care warranty, if purchasing the Mac.

Third year students are required to purchase a Cintiq pen.

Fall/ Winter 2024/ 2025:

A separate Pen Display Drawing Tablet which allows you to draw on the tablet screen is NOW REQUIRED.

We require all new and returning students to have a separate drawing tablet.

Ipad’s are prohibited – it must be a separate pen display drawing tablet where you can draw on the screen like a Cintiq or XP pen.

We require a 13 – 17-inch separate drawing tablet but not larger than that so it is portable to bring to the college easily.

We recommend the XP Pen artist display series or Wacom Cintiq display as ideal.