If you're coming to OCAD U, more than likely, you will need a laptop.
If you're entering undergraduate studies, you will need to have a laptop and pay the mandatory fees.
If you are entering a graduate studies in Digital Futures, Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media and Design or Design for Health, you will need a laptop and pay the mandatory fees.
How does it work?
You buy a laptop, preferably an OCAD U recommend laptop (see below), or use the laptop you already own if it meets our minimum requirements.
We license the software students need (at a discount), and charge for a set of fees.
We support you on campus through the IT Help Desk, including troubleshooting, software imaging support, installation, data recovery, virus removal, and on-campus Apple repair support
Why?
Laptops go wherever you go and run professional software you will need. We know that students with Laptops learn faster and perform better in University, capitalizing on your most valuable commodity: your time.
The Laptop Program provides software and support for students bringing their own laptops to OCAD University for their learning and instruction in art and design. Your laptop is the primary computer you will use on campus, in specific courses, studios and open areas between classes.
Either you already own a Laptop or you will need to purchase one.
I Need a Laptop. Now What?
If you need to buy a laptop, you have a variety of purchasing options with educational discounts. Once you register, you will be able to join an on-boarding course to learn about purchasing options.
That's great! We recommend you take a look at our specific pages for the various recommended systems to ensure it meets the minimum requirements: I have some other kind of Laptop
Student Survey Results 2018
Programs & Recommended Laptops
We recommend that all students wait to purchase their laptops until later in the Summer, after the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference and other vendor announcements. We are currently revising our list of recommended hardware for 2019-20.
Considering purchasing an Apple MacBook Pro?
Strong Recommendations:
If you are in Industrial Design, Environmental Design, Material Art & Design, Digital Futures (Undergrad or Graduate), Integrated Media, Digital Painting and Expanded Animation or if you plan to run Windows software, we strongly recommend you consider Windows PC options.
If you're considering the 13" MacBook Pro, look to the Touch Bar model which ships with Intel 8th Generation quad-core processors. The cheaper, non-Touch Bar options ship with 7th Generation dual-core i5 processors.
What if I already have a laptop computer? Is it compatible?
If you already have a laptop that is less than 3 years old, and meets the minimum System Requirements on the Non-Recommended Unsupported Laptops page, then we recommend that you wear it out, and when it comes time to replace it, replace it with a model we recommend. If you're not sure, consult the IT Help Desk.
If you're buying a new laptop this September, please make sure you purchase Applecare, Dell Premium Support or Microsoft's extended warranty. If Dell and Microsoft offer warranties that offer protection from accidental damage, we recommend you purchase this warranty.
