Technical Support

Minimum Specifications for Personal Computers

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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 11.5 Big Sur
  • 16-inch display
  • Intel Core i9
  • 32GB memory
  • Radeon Pro 5600M (8GB) graphics 1TB SSD storage
  • AppleCare+

iPad Pro (2021)

  • Apple M1 chip
  • 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 11.5 Big Sur
  • 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

*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

**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.

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