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Interior Design

Please note that Pratt offers two computer lab locations, Engineering and Machinery. Additionally, Pratt students can use the LaunchPad on Onepratt – a cloud-based application streaming service (AWS Appstream) enabling students to access software typically found in Pratt’s computer lab via a web browser. This is the recommended method for remotely accessing software that is computationally intensive. LaunchPad works with most web browsers Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, and no additional software installation is required. Users can work with one or two monitors, and save files directly to Google Drive.

  • Dell Precision
  • HP ZBook
  • MacBook Pro
    • Important Note For MacBook Pro: Software required for degrees in the School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and Interior Design will only run within Windows OS. Download Windows for free, and install using Boot Camp Assistant (Intel processors) or by using Parallels (M1 and M2 processor).

When shopping for a laptop for your Interior Design education there are a few things to consider. A new PC laptop can be expected to last 3-4 years and still function for most workloads. Many companies offer Workstations and Consumer or Gamming class products. This can affect prices a lot.

  • Workstation products are geared towards professionals and come at a higher cost for stability and better support. They are not necessary for your education but can provide benefits if you encounter problems. They often have lower specifications for a higher price.
  • Consumer class laptops are focused on general computers and can fulfill the tasks of your education. They typically have lower resolution screens and lower powered Graphics Processors and sit in a mid to high price range.
  • Gaming class laptops can be a good fit for the workload we use as they are geared towards higher performance, especially in graphics, and provide higher resolution screens. They often cost costs in build quality and some of the ancillary components, which usually do not affect working performance and functionality. Lower-cost options can offer a lot of performance, but may not be as durable long term (get the 3-4 years warranty).

These configurations fit into three categories, Lower Cost, Midrange, High End

Minimum requirements:

  • CPU: Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 (12th gen or newer)
  • GPU: Dedicated NVIDIA RTX 3050 or higher (4GB+ VRAM)
  • RAM: 16GB (upgradeable to 32GB preferred)
  • Storage: 512GB SSD (1TB preferred)
  • Display: 15.6” or larger, Full HD (1920×1080) or higher, IPS panel
  • Ports: USB-C, HDMI, and multiple USB-A for peripherals
  • OS: Windows 11 Pro recommended

Budget-Friendly: Reliable for Core Tasks

  • Dell Inspiron 16 (e.g., Inspiron 16 5645/5640 series with AMD or Intel CPU)
    • Description: A solid entry-level option offering a good balance of screen real estate and performance for everyday design tasks and general student use. Look for configurations with at least 16GB of RAM and an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processor. While it may not have a powerful dedicated GPU, some configurations offer integrated graphics capable of handling less demanding design software.
    • Link: Dell Inspiron 16 Laptop (You might need to navigate to the specific configuration you’re looking for once on the Dell site, as there are often multiple options within the Inspiron 16 line.)

Mid-Range: Enhanced Performance for Design Work

  • Dell G16 (e.g., G16 7630 series)
    • Description: While categorized as a gaming laptop, the Dell G16 offers excellent value for interior design students due to its robust processors, ample RAM (often 16GB or 32GB), and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card. This combination is essential for smoother rendering, 3D modeling, and running more intensive design applications. The larger screen is also beneficial for design work.
    • Link: Dell G16 Gaming Laptop (Again, check for specific configurations with a good GPU like an RTX 3050 or 4050/4060.)

High-End: Professional-Grade for Demanding Projects

  • Dell XPS 16 (e.g., XPS 16 9640 series)
    • Description: The Dell XPS line is renowned for its premium build quality, stunning displays, and powerful performance. The XPS 16, with its Intel Core Ultra processors, NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics (up to RTX 4070 or higher in some configurations), and often high-resolution OLED touch displays, is an ideal choice for complex 3D rendering, advanced visualization, and heavy multitasking in professional design software. It offers a combination of power and portability.
    • Link: Dell XPS 16 Laptop (Configure with the best possible GPU and RAM for future-proofing.)

1. 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD)

  • Price: $3,999.00
  • Link: (Apple)
  • Specs:
    • Apple M4 Max chip (16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)
    • 48GB unified memory
    • 1TB SSD storage
    • 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
    • Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3
    • 140W USB-C Power Adapter

2. 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)

  • Price: $2,499.00
  • Link: (Apple)
  • Specs:
    • Apple M4 Pro chip (14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)
    • 24GB unified memory
    • 1TB SSD storage
    • 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
    • Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3
    • 140W USB-C Power Adapter

3. 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD)

  • Price: $1,999.00
  • Link: (Apple)
  • Specs:
    • Apple M4 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)
    • 32GB unified memory
    • 1TB SSD storage
    • 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
    • Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3
    • 70W USB-C Power Adapter
  • External Drives
    • Note: all Pratt students have limited Google Drive capacity.

Required Software