Resources
Department Specific Laptop Requirements
The following departments have a personal laptop computer requirement for incoming students:
Communication Design & Advertising Design
The following is the minimum hardware and software requirements for incoming students in Communication Design and Advertising Design. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact your Department Chair.
Required Hardware
Apple MacBook Pro
15" Touch Bar and Touch ID
2.2 GHz 6 core 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz
16GB RAM minimum with up to 32GB if possible
Radeon Pro 560X with 4GB Memory
512GB SSD minimum up to 1TB if possible
Apple Macbook Pro w/educational discount
Recommended: AppleCare 3-year protection plan
Required Software
- Adobe Cloud Subscription, includes Adobe Font package (free - you will receive an instructional email from Adobe after 8/14)
- Microsoft Office (free with CCS login creditials)
Graduate students enrolling at The College for Creative Studies will be required to own or purchase a laptop computer for their studies. The following information provides the recommended minimum hardware configuration and software requirements. Students will also have access to computers in the Graduate Lab and other sites on campus which will provide access to the software.
Recommended Hardware
Required Software
All MFA Programs
- Adobe Cloud Subscription, includes Adobe Font package (free - you will receive an instructional email from Adobe after 8/14)
- Microsoft Office (free with CCS login creditials)
MFA Color & Materials Design (optional for Integrated Design):
- Rhino
MFA Transportation Design:
Laptop Recommendations for Departments Without Requirements
The following recommendations are for departments at CCS that do not currently have a specific requirement for laptops. Before purchasing a laptop, we recommend contacting your department to confirm your choice.
Recommended Hardware
Students with laptops should also have an External Hard Drive with a minimum of 1 Terabyte of storage. When connecting the Hard Drive you are using for back up for the first time, format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). If you will be using your Hard Drive to share files between a Mac and a PC, format it as Fat32.
Recommended Software
CCS is introducing new licensing with Adobe which is allowing the college to provide Creative Cloud licenses to students directly. Registered students with CCS login credentials will receive an email from Adobe to their CCS email starting August 14, 2019 with information about how to activate their new, individual license and how to use Creative Cloud on CCS computers and on their own personal computer(s). Students will also receive additional information in their email from CCS Academic Technologies about how to access the license, create their Enterprise Creative Cloud account, and use the software.
- Adobe Creative Cloud (free - you will receive an instructional email from Adobe after 8/14)
- Microsoft Office (free with CCS login creditials)
For other software questions, please contact Academic Technologies at 313.664. 1501 or 313.664.1500.
Laptop Support
The Academic Technologies Department (6th Floor, Taubman Center) can advise students who are seeking technical help with their personal or required laptop. If your laptop requires repair beyond the ability of the Academic Technologies Office, you will be referred to a local authorized service center.
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
or by appointment
After Hours
Contact the CCS HelpDesk 313.664.7818 or submit a HelpDesk ticket to receive a response within 24 hours.
Please Note: Students are required to keep software and operating updated at least yearly to remain compatible with CCS lab machines, rendering computers, output equipment, and other campus technologies
Policies Governing Laptop Use at CCS
Contact Us
Laurie Evans
Director, Academic Technologies
Taubman Center - 6th Floor
T 313.664.1501
levans@collegeforcreativestudies.edu