Minimum Specifications for Personal Computers
These are the minimum suggested specifications. Anything newer / faster is also recommended.
If you’re uncertain, on a Mac select “About This Mac” from the Apple menu to view your system specs. On a Windows computer, right-click on the start menu (the Widows icon) and select “System” from the pop-up menu.
For New Students
Character Animation Program & Experimental Animation Program
Apple MacBook Pro
- macOS 10.15 Catalina
- 16-inch display
- Intel Core i9
- 32GB memory
- Radeon Pro 5600M (8GB) graphics 1TB SSD storage
- AppleCare+
iPad Pro (Early 2020)
- 12.9-inch display
- 256GB storage
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
- AppleCare+
Film Directing Program & Program in Film and Video
Apple MacBook Pro
- macOS 10.15 Catalina
- 16-inch display
- Intel Core i9
- 32GB memory
- Radeon Pro 5500M (8GB) graphics 1TB SSD storage
- AppleCare+
For Continuing Students
Character Animation Program & Experimental Animation Program
Apple MacBook Pro or iMac *
- macOS 10.15 Catalina 15-inch or larger display 16GB memory
- 512GB SSD storage
–or–
Windows Laptop or Desktop
- Windows 10
- 15-inch or larger display 16GB memory
- 512GB SSD storage
iPad Pro, iPad, or iPad Air *
- iPadOS 13 Apple Pencil
–or–
Wacom Cintiq
*Compatibility with Apple Sidecar required if using an iPad as a drawing surface with your Mac.
Film Directing Program & Program in Film and Video
Apple MacBook Pro or iMac
- macOS 10.15 Catalina 15-inch or larger display 16GB memory
- 512GB SSD storage
–or–
Windows Laptop or Desktop
- Windows 10
- 15-inch or larger display 16GB memory
- 512GB SSD storage
Personal Equipment Requirements for New & Continuing Students
All Programs
- Logitech M535 mouse or similar Mac compatible 3-button Bluetooth mouse*
- 2 TB USB-C backup drive
- Sony MDR-7506 headphones or similar wired headphones with an 1⁄8” mini plug
*Optional for Film Direction Program and Program in Film and Video, but required for certain software applications such as Maya or Cinema 4D
Additional Items for Character Animation Program and Experimental Animation Program
- Wacom Pro Pen 2 (KP504E) **
**Required for use of Cintiqs on campus; only works with new Cintiq Pro.
If you’re concerned about running a particular piece of software, please follow these links to view system requirements for the different applications we use at CalArts.
- After Effects 2020 System Requirements
- After Effects 2019 System Requirements
- Adobe Animate 2020 System Requirements
- Adobe Animate 2019 System Requirements
- Adobe Photoshop 2020 System Requirements
- Adobe Photoshop 2019 System Requirements
- Adobe Premiere Pro 2020 System Requirements
- Adobe Premiere Pro 2019 System Requirements
- Cinema4D System Requirements
- Davinci Resolve 16 System Recommendations
- Maya 2020 System Requirements
- Pro Tools Ultimate 2020 System Recommendations
- Toon Boom Harmony 15 System Requirements
- Toon Boom Storyboard Pro System Requirements
- TVPaint Recommended Requirements