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A professor assists a student in the computer lab at La Roche University. The professor points to the computer screen. Two students sitting next to a bulletin board with artwork are behind him working.

Graphic Design

As part of the La Roche University Student Computer Initiative, all incoming freshman and transfer students in the Graphic Design program are required to purchase an Apple laptop computer and software before the start of the fall semester.

It is imperative that our students graduate with proficient experience using the same tools as industry professionals.

There are two choices of systems that you may purchase – a mid-size screen model (Option One) and a large-size screen model (Option Two). Either will work for your time in the Graphic Design program and beyond.

We also highly encourage students to purchase AppleCare on the laptop. This ensures protection for up to 3 years of ownership of the laptop, should anything be defective with it. Along with the Apple laptop computer, students are required to subscribe to the monthly student Adobe Creative Cloud software.

These hardware and software specifications apply only to the 2025–2026 academic year. Updated specifications are posted during the summer for the next academic year. You may always upgrade and purchase more than these minimum computer requirements.

Option One: 14” MacBook Pro

  • Apple M4 Pro chip
  • 12-core CPU
  • 16-core GPU
  • 24GB unified memory
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD

Required Add-Ons:

  • AppleCare+ Protection Plan for 14-inch MacBook Pro ($279)

Recommended Add-Ons:

  • Storage upgrade to 1TB ($199)

Total Retail Price with Add-Ons: $2,478.00

Check for most up to date educational pricing.

Option Two: 16” MacBook Pro

  • Apple M4 Pro chip
  • 14-core CPU
  • 20-core GPU
  • 24GB unified memory
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD

Required Add-Ons:

  • AppleCare+ Protection Plan for 14-inch MacBook Pro ($279)

Recommended Add-Ons:

  • Storage upgrade to 1TB ($199)

Total Retail Price with Add-Ons: $2977.00

Check for most up to date educational pricing.

There are additional options available, though we do not recommended them with as much confidence due lesser specifications and slower performance. If you wish to explore other alternative Apple laptop models, please email the department chair, Andy Schwanbeck at Andrew.Schwanbeck@laroche.edu, or talk to a qualified apple representative.

Software Requirements

•Adobe Creative Cloud Student Edition: Educational pricing - Available for $29.99/month (this is complete access to the full Adobe Software Packages and 20 GB of online memory). Full details and purchases can be made here: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html
Note: the pricing above is first year introductory pricing only

Antivirus software as approved by La Roche (must be kept up-to-date)

Recommended Software and Printer (Not Required)

•Microsoft Office 365 (Available to students at no charge. An email is sent to eligible students at their La Roche University email address with information for downloading the software.)

– OR –

•Apple iWork software suite for the Mac- Included with MacBook Pro purchase

For More Information
Andy Schwanbeck
Graphic Design Chair
Associate Professor, Graphic Design
Andrew.Schwanbeck@laroche.edu
La Roche University
(412). 847-2525 office
designatlaroche.com