Support
Laptop & Technology Requirements
* updated 1/15/2025
Every degree program at MECA&D has specific technology requirements that are essential to your academic success. These requirements must be met in order to enroll in the program.
SOFTWARE FOR ALL PROGRAMS
Google G-Suite: All MECA&D students receive a Google G-Suite account that serves as the default platform used for email, calendars, documents, presentations, etc. at MECA&D for faculty, staff, and students.
Adobe Creative Cloud: MECA&D provides Adobe Creative Cloud free of charge to all currently enrolled undergraduate students and to graduate students upon request. This suite can be installed on up to two student-owned computers and remains valid while enrolled at the College.
BFA, MAT, & MFA STUDENT LAPTOP AND TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Every BFA, MAT and MFA student is required to have a laptop which meets certain minimal requirements listed below.
MECA&D’s curriculum primarily uses Apple Computers. Our general use computer labs are exclusively Mac equipped. (The Animation & Game Art major uses a blend of Macs and PCs. Students who strongly prefer to use a Windows-based computer can do so, and those specifications are listed below as well.)
MAC BASE MODEL (APPROPRIATE FOR MOST STUDENTS)
Model: 13” Macbook Pro, 13” Macbook Air, or 15” Macbook Air
Processor: Apple M1 or M2 or M3
Memory: 16GB
Storage Capacity: 256GB SSD or Greater
Warranty: AppleCare Protection Plan*
Accessories: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
MAC POWER USER
Model: 14” or 16” Macbook Pro
Processor: Apple M1 or M2 or M3
Memory: 16GB or Greater
Storage Capacity: 512GB SSD or Greater
Warranty: AppleCare Protection Plan*
Accessories: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
NOTE: The college does not provide repair service for student computers. Therefore, all students are strongly encouraged to purchase AppleCare for their computer.
If a student is interested in purchasing a Windows laptop it must have the following minimum specifications:
WINDOWS BASE MODEL
Model: Dell Latitude or other Brand/Model equivalent
Screen Size: 13” or Greater
Processor: 2.5 GHZ i5 or Better
Memory: 16GB or Greater
Storage Capacity: 512GB SSD
Operating System: Windows 10 or 11
Warranty: 3 Year Warranty
ANIMATION AND GAME ART LAPTOP RECOMMENDATION
Students pursuing Animation and Game Art should consider a more robust Windows laptop. The software used in Animation and Game Art will not run well without adequate memory and a suitable graphics card. We recommend purchasing a laptop that meets the following minimum requirements:
Model: Dell Laptop such as XPS or other Brand/Model Equivalent
Screen Size: 15” or Greater
Processor: 2.6 GHZ i7 or Better
Memory: 16GB (32 preferred)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3050 (or better/equivalent)
Storage Capacity: 512GB SSD or Greater
Operating System: Windows 11
Warranty: 3 Year Warranty
Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at MECA&D. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they should not be your primary device.
For further questions, please email helpdesk@meca.edu for assistance.
ONLINE PROGRAM TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
These requirements apply to the following programs:
Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)
Graduate Certificate in Graduate Certificate in Expressive Art Therapy
Graduate Certificate in Arts Leadership and Administration
Students must have a laptop or desktop computer. Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops offer more flexibility for most students.
MINIMUM HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS
MAC (OS)
Operating System: Currently supported operating system from Apple
Memory (RAM): 16GB or higher
Hard Drive: 156GB or higher
Antivirus Software: Strongly recommended
Internet/Bandwidth Minimum Requirement: 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms
PC (WINDOWS OS)
Operating System: Currently supported operating system from Microsoft
Memory (RAM): 16GB or higher
Hard Drive: 156GB or higher
Antivirus Software: Strongly recommended
Internet/Bandwidth Minimum Requirement: 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms
Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at MECA&D. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they should not be your primary device.
For further questions, please email helpdesk@meca.edu for assistance.
SALT GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN DOCUMENTARY STUDIES
Salt students are not required to have their own laptop. Each Salt student is assigned an apple desktop computer which the college maintains in the Salt classrooms. However, Salt students have found it helpful to have their own laptop.
Radio & Podcasting Track and Short Film Track
Headphones (monitoring earphones such as Sony MDR7506)
1 TB minimum external hard drive
SD card (max 32 GB for audio students, min 128GB for film students)
Writing Track
No special equipment needed.
FAQs
How do I get help with a technology issue?
Email helpdesk@meca.edu.
I'm a new student, how do I set up my college email account?
Instructions for accessing your @meca.edu email are shared prior to the start of your first semester. The Registrar's Office will send these instructions to the email account provided in your Admissions application. If you cannot locate your email access instructions, contact registrar@meca.edu.
How do I update my name on my email address?
Contact the Registrar's Office for any requested name changes.
How do I get a new copy of my ID card?
Reprints of an existing ID card may be obtained from the lobby front desk, Mon-Fri, between 9:00–5:00. To update the photo on your card, please email security@meca.edu.
What technology resources are available on campus?
MECA&D has three general purpose computer labs, as well as several computers in the library available for use. Computer labs are located on Floors 2 & 3.
Students are required to arrive on campus with the applicable requirements for their program, see Technology Requirements by program above.
Software
MECA&D uses Google Suite for Education, including Gmail, Google Drive, Chat, & Calendar. Students and faculty are given access to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of programs, which can be installed on a personal computer and is accessible in the computer labs using an Adobe account. For questions about accessing Adobe, please email helpdesk@meca.edu.