NJIT Computer Requirement & Specifications

Things to Know

• Vendor Partnerships: Students can purchase suitable academic devices through our Partnership Portals. We recommend reviewing shipping dates or choosing in-stock models for the quickest delivery.
• Technical Requirements: You are responsible for bringing a personal computer that meets or surpasses the technical requirements for your specific academic program.
• Warranty Recommendation: Whichever device you purchase, we strongly recommend investing in a four-year warranty with accidental damage protection. Please ensure you purchase this warranty directly from the device manufacturer or vendor, and not through a third-party warranty provider. This ensures you have reliable coverage for unexpected hardware issues.
• On-Campus Resources: If your personal computer is not ready by the start of the semester, NJIT offers on-campus computing resources to support you. You can use workstations in the Library and computing labs, or check out a device from the self-service laptop kiosk located in the Central Avenue building.
• Software & Virtual Labs: Please note that some coursework requires specific software. To access this, you may need to:
  • Use the on-campus NJIT computer labs.
  • Access NJIT's Virtual Windows environment, which features pre-installed academic software (like MATLAB, MS Project, etc.). Information on how to connect can be found on our Canvas Software Downloads page (login required).
  • Mac Users: In some specific cases, you may need to purchase and run your own 3rd-party Windows Virtualization software (e.g., Parallels) locally on your machine at an additional cost.

Computer Specifications by Academic College

YWCC, MTSM, HCSLA

The Ying Wu College of Computing, the Martin Tuchman School of Management, and the Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts requires freshman and transfer students to have a personal laptop computer meeting or exceeding minimum specifications for use in and outside of the classroom. 

The Newark College of Engineering

NCE, CME

The Newark College of Engineering and The Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering requires freshman and transfer students to have a personal laptop computer meeting or exceeding the required specifications for use in and outside of the classroom. 

Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD)

HCAD

This applies to New Jersey School of Architecture (NJSoA) and School of Art+Design (SoA+D) students

The Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD) at NJIT uses advanced digital workflows across Architecture, Industrial Design, Interior Design, and Digital Design. Students work with applications that support 3D modeling and rendering, animation and simulation, Building Information Modeling and real-time visualizations and extended realities, among many others.

Because these applications are computationally demanding, HCAD strongly recommends computers capable of running these types of professional, creative and technical applications. These applications require computers that are more powerful, in terms of graphics processing and neural processing, than what most students have used previously. Therefore, incoming HCAD students generally choose to purchase a desktop workstation and a companion laptop, with the expectation that they will be able to use these computers for the duration of their academic program.

NJIT has partnered with Lenovo through the Lenovo Campus Program to provide educational discounts on HCAD’s recommended desktop workstations and laptops. Purchasing computers through the Campus Program gives you access to recommended HCAD configurations for hardware and software as well as simplified purchasing.

High-Performance Desktop Workstations

Desktop workstations provide the highest level of sustained performance for:

• BIM and large architectural models
• Real-time rendering and visualization
• Animation and simulation workflows
• AI-assisted design tools
• Fabrication and digital production workflows
• Long rendering or computationally-intensive sessions

Laptops

Laptops provide mobility and flexibility for:

• Studio and classroom use
• Field work and presentations
• Collaboration and remote access
• General creative and design workflows
• Companion access to desktop-based projects

Students should select the computers that best align with their academic program and workflow expectations. HCAD academic programs have distinct computing needs depending on the discipline, studio year, and software applications used for specific courses.

New Jersey School of Architecture Students click here for details that are specific to your program.

School of Art+Design students click here for details that are specific to your program.

Additional Questions

Questions about the computer requirements can be emailed to compreq@njit.edu for YWCC, MTSM, HCLSA, and NCE, or to hcad-computerrequirement@njit.edu for HCAD.

You may also contact the IST Service Desk.