Complete your enrollment   Deposit Now

Computer Requirements

The College has shared computer resources strategically located around the campus in the Miller Information Commons (library), computer labs, the student lounge, and other areas.

Our IT help desk provides assistance connecting personal computers to the campus network. If the student computer needs hardware repair, the student will be referred to his or her warranty service provider or a local vendor for service.

Champlain College cannot guarantee full network resources for computers that do not meet the recommended specifications, including older Microsoft Windows computers and Macintosh or Linux computers.

Students entering the Interactive Narrative and the Computer Science & Innovation programs are required to have a laptop with the specifications outlined below. All other programs have computer recommendations outlined below.

Champlain College students are eligible for discounts from Dell and Apple:

  • Dell: Join the Member Purchase Program to get the best price guarantee, member-exclusive offers, electronics and accessories discounts, and Dell Advantage. Our member ID is: US126616022.
  • Apple: Apple Education pricing is available to students, accepted students, parents buying for students, faculty, and staff.
  • Microsoft Office: Once students have set up their MyMail account, they can get Office 365 Education for free. To get a software license, students will need to give their Champlain email address and then log in to their Champlain accounts using their username (firstname.lastname) and their password. Once logged in, they can download the programs they want, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Expand All
Collapse All

Many of the courses in the CCM Division majors are computing intensive and require the use of highly specialized software, which is why we continue to maintain and expand our outstanding computer labs and classrooms. Specific hardware and software needs vary tremendously by course and by program, and it can be costly and difficult for students to keep their computers as up-to-date and as fully equipped as our labs. Here is some general information based on program of study:

  • Broadcast Media Production. A Mac laptop is strongly recommended starting sophomore year. Two 1-terabyte or greater hard drives—one for storage and one to back up—are highly recommended. A computer capable of editing HD footage is convenient but not necessary (students can also use Champlain's workstations located around campus).

  • Communication. Constant access to a computer will be essential, but the choice of laptop or desktop platform is largely a matter of a student's preference.

  • Creative Media. Continued access to a computer is important. A laptop is handy for the flexibility it provides, but the choice of laptop or desktop is really a matter of preference. Because of the diversity of study within the Creative Media program, we do not have a blanket recommendation for platform. For instance, Macintosh is favored by many in the creative industries and should be your choice if graphic design is a primary area of study, but those pursuing a specialization in Game Media may find a Windows-based PC more useful (see the computer specifications for Game Design and Game Art majors for more information). Students with interests in both areas will likely choose one platform for everyday use and access Champlain labs for projects that require software only available for the other platform.
    • Some programs strongly recommend a laptop beginning junior year. As Creative Media students approach their junior year, we recommend that they take stock of their computing needs in relation to their individual areas of specialization. Each student's faculty advisor can help the student understand what applications and capabilities will be most important for the student's specialization areas in the junior and senior years.

  • Filmmaking. Mac laptops are strongly recommended starting junior year—please contact your program director for specific hardware and software specifications. Additionally, two 1-terabyte or greater hard drives—one for storage and one to back up—are highly recommended. A computer capable of editing HD footage is convenient but not necessary (you can also use Champlain's workstations located around campus).

  • Graphic Design & Visual Communication. Because of the high costs of font packages and other specialized software, use of laptops in GDVC classes is not recommended for the first two years of study. A Mac laptop is recommended by the first semester of the junior year. A digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera is recommended by the first semester of the first year.

  • Game Art, Game Design, and Game Sound Design Students should look at the requirements listed in the Game Studio requirements.

  • Interactive Narrative. Interactive Narrative students have two options to meet the laptop requirement.
    1. If you are interested in making games, you will need the same laptop required of Game Studio students.
    2. If you are NOT interested in making games, you can use the recommended Windows laptop.

Suggested Game Laptop

    • Windows OS
    • i7: Latest generation/AMD Ryzen 9
    • Nvidia RTX video card
    • 32GB RAM
    • 1TB SSD
    • Second monitor for your dorm room
    • USB or Bluetooth keyboard
    • USB or Bluetooth headphones

Minimum Game Laptop

    • Windows OS
    • i7 10th generation/AMD Ryzen 7
    • Nvidia RTX, Radeon RX, GTX 1080 video card
    • 16GB RAM
    • 500GB SSD

Recommended Windows Laptop

    • 12th or 13th generation i5 Intel Microprocessor
    • 16 GB RAM
    • 512 GB SSD
    • Webcam
    • USB-C Video Output Port

Example Models for 2024/2025
Dell Inspiron 16 ($849 as configured above)

  • Professional Writing. Constant access to a computer will be essential, but the choice of tablet, laptop, or desktop and the choice of a Mac or PC platform is a matter of a student's preference. Specific classes may involve the use of a digital still camera, a digital audio recorder, or a digital video camera.
Link to this FAQ

SSI Division majors:

  • Applied Sustainability
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Law
  • Psychology
  • Social Work


Although the College has considerable shared computer resources available on campus, a student-owned personal computer allows for flexibility and convenience. The campus provides broad wireless access and a laptop computer is especially practical, but the choice of laptop or desktop is largely a matter of student preference.

Purchasing a refurbished computer is an alternative, affordable option. Locally, Computers for Change sells high-quality refurbished computers with warranties, promoting reuse of functioning electronics to reduce electronic waste and resource use.

Link to this FAQ

Most of the majors in the ITS Division are computing intensive:

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Computer & Digital Forensics
  • Computer Networking & Cybersecurity
  • Computer Science & Innovation
  • Data Science
  • Game Programming*

These programs require the use of highly specialized software, which is why we continue to maintain and expand our outstanding computer labs and classrooms. Specific hardware and software needs vary tremendously by course and by program, and it can be costly and difficult for students to keep their computers as up-to-date and as fully equipped as our labs.

Some general guidelines:

Most small computers sold through retail venues or the major online distributors (laptop, desktop, or mini-tower) are generally adequate for a student's coursework both in and out of the ITS Division at Champlain College. A lightweight laptop combined with a comfortable docking station (e.g. ergonomic keyboard and mouse combined with relatively high-resolution dual monitors) is much more useful than an overpowered desktop. Especially when purchasing a laptop, but also for desktop purchases, it is important to be sure your computer comes with a warranty.

Minimum guidelines for MOST majors

If you are planning to purchase a new computer or upgrade an existing computer, the following are minimum requirements for most majors. The configuration would accommodate most students' needs for the first two years. It may be beneficial to upgrade for the junior and senior courses.

  • A system (laptop or desktop) running Windows 10 or newer
  • A computer that has a modern Intel Core processor or comparable AMD processor
  • 16 GB or more RAM
  • 500 GB or more hard drive
  • Laptops wireless capable

Computer Science & Innovation Major - LAPTOP REQUIRED with the following minimum specifications for 2024/2025

  • 12th or 13th generation i5 Intel Microprocessor, Apple M2 Microprocessor, or AMD Ryzen 6000+ mobile series (U series)
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD
  • Webcam
  • USB-C Video Output Port

Example Models for 2024/2025

* Game Programming students should look at the requirements listed in the Game Studiospecifications.

Link to this FAQ

The main instructional campus has wireless access in classrooms and common areas, which makes a PC or Mac laptop the ideal choice for business students at Champlain. The information below applies to the following majors:

  • Accounting
  • Business Administration
  • Finance
  • Game Business & Publishing*
  • Game Production Management*
  • International Business
  • Marketing


Laptop: Personal Computer or Mac | Minimum Configuration

The specifications below can be applied to configure either a Windows laptop or a Mac laptop. Mac users may also need to acquire a licensed copy of a Windows operating system for their Mac computer, depending on software requirements for classes.

  • A system (laptop or desktop) running Windows 10 or newer or
  • MAC OS: MacBook Pro (preferred) or Air 2020 or later. 16GB RAM, M1 or M2 processor preferred. Minimum 512GB storage.

*Game Business & Publishing and Game Production Management students should look at the requirements listed in the Game Studio options below.

Link to this FAQ

Constant access to a computer will be important, but the choice of laptop or desktop platform is largely a matter of a student's preference. The campus provides robust wireless access, so a laptop computer is especially practical for group projects and working in the library or classrooms.

Link to this FAQ

Game Studio majors:

  • Game Art
  • Game Business & Publishing
  • Game Design
  • Game Production Management
  • Game Programming
  • Game Sound Design

While all Champlain College students have lab access that includes the computers and software needed for all courses, it is highly suggested that students come prepared with a laptop or desktop computer.

We recommend a laptop rather than a desktop computer because of its portability and flexibility in various classroom settings, and for doing the group work associated with our Game Studio game development classes. Homework for all majors in the Game Studio will necessitate the need for a computer with specific processing speeds and graphics capabilities that will allow you to both develop and test/play the games you make on your computer.

PC Specifications

Students in Game Art, Game Business & Publishing, Game Design, Game Production Management, Game Programming, and Game Sound Design should purchase a PC with a Windows operating system. Game Business & Publishing and Game Production Management students should need only the minimum specifications. This will allow you to test/play games, but you don't need as much speed, graphics, and storage as the developers.

Suggested:

    • i7: Latest generation/AMD Ryzen 9 
    • Nvidia RTX video card 
    • 32GB RAM 
    • 1TB SSD 
    • Second monitor for your dorm room 
    • USB or Bluetooth keyboard 
    • USB or Bluetooth headphones

Minimum:

    • i7 10th generation/AMD Ryzen 7
    • Nvidia RTX, Radeon RX, GTX 1080 video card
    • 16GB RAM
    • 500GB SSD

Mac Specifications (Game Sound Design only)

All of the sound classrooms and the recording studio on campus use Mac computers and software, so we recommend a Mac computer for Game Sound Design students. However, comparable software for PC is available, so you may choose between Mac or Windows operating systems.

Suggested:

    • MacBook Pro '13
    • 2.0GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core Processor with Intel Iris Plus Graphics
    • 16GB RAM
    • 1TB SSD
    • Second monitor for your dorm room
    • USB Keyboard
    • USB or Bluetooth sound-cancelling headphones

Minimum:

    • MacBook Pro '13
    • Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU
    • 16GB unified memory
    • 512GB SSD storage
    • USB or Bluetooth sound-cancelling headphones
Link to this FAQ

USEFUL LINKS

Your next steps for starting this spring.
Next Steps

Find detailed information about your next steps for a smooth transition to Champlain.

Submit your deposit and secure your enrollment.
Enrollment Deposit

Confirm your enrollment and reserve your place as a full-time first-year or transfer student at Champlain.

Champlain College student at Fashing Show
News & Events

Exciting things are happening on the hill: Rail Jams, Esports tournaments, fashion shows, and more.