Laptop system requirements
We want to make sure you can make the most of your time at Leeds, so before you begin studying with us you’ll need to ensure your laptop meets the below specifications.
Depending on your circumstances you can benefit from a laptop loan or further support from our University Financial Assistance Fund.
Undergraduate courses
BA Art and Design
System must be able to run Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop. System requirements calculated based on Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator.
Minimum specifications as of 11 February 2021
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|
Windows |
Mac OS |
|
Processor |
Multicore |
|
|
Operating system |
Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported |
macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later |
|
RAM |
8GB minimum (16 GB recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). GPU with DirecttX 12 support |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). Metal support |
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 40 Gb of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
|
Monitor resolution |
1280x1080 or greater display resolution |
1440x900 or greater display resolution |
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.* |
BA Fashion Design Innovation
System must be able to run CLO 3D and Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop. System requirements calculated based on Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator.
Minimum specifications (Windows) as of 16 February 2021
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Windows |
Mac OS |
|
Processor |
Intel i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500x (Intel i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 recommended) |
CPU: 4-core Intel i5 or higher(CPU: 4-core Intel Core i5 or 6-core Intel Core i7 recommended) |
|
Operating system |
Windows 64-bit |
Catalina 10.15, Mojave 10.14, High Sierra 10.13 |
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RAM |
DDR4 16 GB or higher (32 recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or Quadro P2200 (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or Quadro P4000 with at least 4Gb of video memory and latest Nvidia drivers: GRD, Studio, Quadro-ODE recommended) |
Officially supported models:
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Hard disk space |
Approx. 60 GB of available hard-disk space for installation. SSD preferred. |
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|
Monitor resolution |
1920x1080 or greater display resolution |
1920x1080 or greater display resolution (2560x1440 recommended) |
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Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.* |
|
|
Pointing device |
three-button mouse |
BA Fashion Marketing
System must be able to run Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop. System requirements based on Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator.
Minimum specifications as of 11 February 2021
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|
Windows |
Mac OS |
|
Processor |
Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
|
Operating system |
Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported |
macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later |
|
RAM |
8GB minimum (16 GB recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). GPU with DirecttX 12 support |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). Metal support |
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 40 GB of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
|
Monitor resolution |
1280x1080 or greater display resolution |
1440x900 or greater display resolution |
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.* |
BA Graphics and Communication Design
System must be able to run Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere Pro, Cinema 4D. System requirements calculated based on After Effects / Premiere Pro and Cinema 4D.
Minimum specifications as of 1 July 2021
|
Laptop/Desktop |
Standard [Id] [Ai] [Ps] [Pr] |
Recommended [Id] [Ai] [Ps] [Pr] [Ae] [C4d] |
Advanced [Id] [Ai] [Ps] [Pr] [Ae] [C4d] |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Processor Intel |
Intel core i5 10th/11th Gen |
Intel core i7 10th/11th Gen |
Intel core i7/i9 10th/11th |
|
Processor Ryzen |
AMD® Ryzen 5 1500X |
AMD® Ryzen 4th Gen 7/9 5000 series |
AMD® Ryzen 4th Gen 7/9 5000 series + |
|
RAM |
8GB |
16GB |
32GB+ |
|
GPU |
2GB of video memory |
4GB of video memory |
6GB+ of video memory |
|
System storage |
256GB SSD |
512GB SSD |
512GB SSD+ |
|
Apple M1 processors |
MacBook Pro |
MacBook Pro |
MacBook Pro |
|
RAM |
8GB |
16GB |
16GB |
|
System storage |
256GB SSD |
512GB SSD |
512GB SSD |
|
External accessories |
|
|
|
|
External Hard Drive HDD is standard – SDD offers faster access speeds. |
2TB HDD USB 3.0 |
2TB+ HDD USB 3.0 |
4TB+ HDD/2TB SSD |
|
Graphics Tablet |
Wacom Intuos S (Specifically interested in illustration) |
Wacom Intuos M |
Wacom Intuos M |
|
2nd Monitor |
Optional |
HD 1080p 24in |
1440p 27in |
|
USB C Hub adaptor (Mac only) |
Optional |
HDMI, 2 USB 3.0 |
BA Sustainable Fashion
System must be able to run Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop. System requirements calculated based on Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator.
Minimum specifications as of 11 February 2021
|
|
Windows |
Mac OS |
|
Processor |
Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
|
Operating system |
Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported |
macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later |
|
RAM |
8GB minimum (16 GB recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). GPU with DirecttX 12 support |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). Metal support |
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 40 Gb of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
|
Monitor resolution |
1280x1080 or greater display resolution |
1440x900 or greater display resolution |
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.* |
Postgraduate courses
MA Advertising and Design
System must be able to run Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere Pro. System requirements calculated based on After Effects / Premiere Pro.
Minimum specifications as of 1 July 2021
|
|
Windows |
Mac OS |
|
Processor |
Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support |
|
|
Operating system |
Microsoft Windows 10 (64 bit) versions 1803 and later. Note: Win version 1607 is not supported. |
macOS versions 10.13 and later. Note: macOS version 10.12 is not supported. macOS Big Sur is supported in After Effects version 17.5.1. |
|
RAM |
16GB minimum (32GB recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). Adobe strongly recommends updating to NVIDIA driver 451.77 or later when using After Effects. Drivers prior to this have a known issue which can lead to a crash. |
|
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 40GB of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
|
Monitor resolution |
1280x1080 or greater display resolution |
1440x900 or greater display resolution |
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.* |
MA Design
System must be able to run Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere Pro. System requirements calculated based on After Effects / Premiere Pro:
Minimum specifications as of 11 February 2021
|
|
Windows |
Mac OS |
|
Processor |
Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support |
|
|
Operating system |
Microsoft Windows 10 (64 bit) versions 1803 and later. Note: Win version 1607 is not supported. |
Mac OS versions 10.13 and later. Note: macOS version 10.12 is not supported. Mac OS Big Sur is supported in After Effects version 17.5.1. |
|
RAM |
16 GB minimum (32 GB recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). Adobe strongly recommends updating to NVIDIA driver 451.77 or later when using After Effects. Drivers prior to this have a known issue which can lead to a crash. |
|
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 40 GB of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
|
Monitor resolution |
1280x1080 or greater display resolution |
1440x900 or greater display resolution |
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services. |
MA Digital Design Futures
Minimum specifications (Windows or Mac running Bootcamp and Windows) as of 25 April 2023:
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|
Windows |
Mac OS |
|
CPU |
Intel i3-6100/AMD Ryzen 3 1200, FX4350 or greater
|
Apple Mac models with M series chip |
|
Operating system |
Microsoft Windows 10 or higher operating system |
Apple macOS 11.x, 10.15.x, 10.14.x, 10.13.x or later operating system |
|
RAM |
16 GB minimum (32 GB recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti/AMD Radeon |
|
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 40 Gb of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
|
USB Ports |
USB-C or USB-A 3.0 port |
|
|
Video output |
Compatible DisplayPort video output or Compatible Mini DisplayPort video output |
|
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services. |
|
- It is recommended to use Windows laptop with good GPU when working on VR projects.
- Building and running AR experiences for iOS devices is not possible on a Windows laptop because XCode, the necessary software, is not supported on Windows.
MA Fashion, Enterprise and Society
System must be able to run Lectra Modaris 3D and Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop. System requirements calculated based on Lectra Modaris 3D and Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator.
Minimum specifications (Windows or Mac running Bootcamp and Windows) as of 11 February 2021
|
|
Minimum specifications |
|
Processor |
Intel® with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
|
Operating system |
Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported |
|
RAM |
16 GB |
|
GPU |
Nvidia Card 4GB (or higher). GPU with DirectX 12 with anti-aliasing & compatible with OpenGL 4.5 |
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 300 GB of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
Monitor resolution |
1280x1080 or greater display resolution |
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.* |
MA Global Fashion Management
System must be able to run Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop. System requirements calculated based on Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator.
Minimum specifications as of 11 February 2021
|
|
Windows |
Mac OS |
|
Processor |
Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
|
Operating system |
Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported |
macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later |
|
RAM |
8GB minimum (16 GB recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). GPU with DirecttX 12 support |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). Metal support |
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 40 Gb of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
|
Monitor resolution |
1280x1080 or greater display resolution |
1440x900 or greater display resolution |
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.* |
MSc Textile Sustainability and Innovation
System must be able to run Adobe CC software, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop. System requirements calculated based on Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator.
Minimum specifications as of 11 February 2021
|
|
Windows |
Mac OS |
|
Processor |
Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later |
|
Operating system |
Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported |
macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later |
|
RAM |
8GB minimum (16 GB recommended) |
|
|
GPU |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). GPU with DirecttX 12 support |
2GB of GPU VRAM (4GB recommended). Metal support |
|
Hard disk space |
Approx. 40 Gb of available hard-disk space for installation. |
|
|
Monitor resolution |
1280x1080 or greater display resolution |
1440x900 or greater display resolution |
|
Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.* |