Student Software Compatibility by Major: 30-Program Windows vs Mac Benchmark (2026)

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row_id,discipline,institution,program,software_named,windows_posture,mac_posture,virtualization_guidance,apple_silicon_explicit,lab_or_remote_fallback,chromebook_tablet_guidance,source_url,checked_date,source_note<br /> ID01,Interior design,Virginia Commonwealth University,Interior Design,”Revit 2025; Enscape”,Required,Not permitted,Rejected,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://arts.vcu.edu/current-students/technology-support-for-students/computer-requirements/interior-design/,2026-07-15,”Policy says Windows-only software does not run on macOS and Parallels or VMware is not adequate.”<br /> ID02,Interior design,University of Florida,Interior Design,”Revit; AutoCAD Architecture; Enscape; Lumion; SketchUp; Adobe Creative Cloud”,Recommended,Discouraged,Discouraged,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://dcp.ufl.edu/interior/ind-laptop-requirements/,2026-07-15,”Mac is not supported by several key packages; Boot Camp or Parallels is possible but not recommended.”<br /> ID03,Interior design,Central Michigan University,Interior Design,”Revit and Windows-taught design software”,Recommended,Discouraged,Not stated,No,Windows computer labs,Not stated,https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/college-education-human-services/departments/DIFM/interior-design/computer-requirements,2026-07-15,”Program strongly recommends Windows and teaches on Windows workstations.”<br /> ID04,Interior design,Meredith College,Interior Design,”AutoCAD; Revit; Enscape; SketchUp Pro; Adobe applications”,Required,Not permitted,Rejected,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://www.meredith.edu/interior-design/laptop-and-software-policy/,2026-07-15,”Declared majors must maintain a Windows PC; Macs are not permitted.”<br /> ID05,Interior design,University of North Carolina at Greensboro,Interior Architecture,”AutoCAD; Revit; Adobe Creative Suite; SketchUp; Enscape”,Recommended,Not stated,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://iarc.uncg.edu/undergraduate/computer-requirements/,2026-07-15,”Program requires a laptop compatible with the named applications and publishes Windows PC specifications.”<br /> AR01,Architecture,Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,Architecture,”Rhino 8; V-Ray; Adobe Creative Cloud; Revit; Maya”,Required,Allowed with conditions,Boot Camp path stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://www.arch.rpi.edu/resources/students-useful-info/,2026-07-15,”MacBook Pro is accepted only with Windows in Boot Camp; V-Ray licenses are Windows-only.”<br /> AR02,Architecture,University of Virginia,Architecture,”Adobe Creative Cloud; AutoCAD; Rhino; R; ArcGIS Pro; Revit; Rhino/Grasshopper plugins”,Supported,Supported,Supported,Yes,Virtual workstations available,Secondary devices only,https://www.arch.virginia.edu/resources/computer-requirements,2026-07-15,”Both platforms are supported; Windows-only tools can use virtual desktops or Parallels including Windows ARM on M-series Macs.”<br /> AR03,Architecture,University of Maryland,Architecture,”Adobe Creative Cloud; AutoCAD; Revit; Microsoft 365; Rhino; SketchUp Pro”,Recommended,Discouraged,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://arch.umd.edu/student-experience/student-resources/technology-requirements,2026-07-15,”MacBook Pro is described as unsuitable for VR/modeling; Revit, Navisworks, and Lumion are not supported on macOS.”<br /> AR04,Architecture,University of Michigan Taubman College,Architecture,”Revit; ArcGIS; V-Ray for Rhino; Enscape for Rhino; Unreal Engine”,Supported,Allowed with conditions,Rejected or poor for named apps,No,Not stated,Secondary devices only,https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/about/facilities/computing/,2026-07-15,”Macs are allowed but many named applications are Windows-only and emulators may be unsupported or perform poorly.”<br /> AR05,Architecture,Pratt Institute,Bachelor of Architecture,”Rhino; AutoCAD; Revit; Adobe Creative Cloud”,Recommended,Discouraged,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://www.pratt.edu/administrative-departments/technology/technology-resources/laptop-software-guidelines/architecture-b-arch/,2026-07-15,”Program notes that some required architecture software runs only on Windows and labels Mac alternatives not recommended.”<br /> LA01,Landscape architecture,California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo,Landscape Architecture,”Adobe Creative Cloud; Microsoft 365; AutoCAD; Rhino; Lumion; ArcGIS Pro; Google Earth Pro”,Recommended,Allowed with conditions,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://landscape.calpoly.edu/laptop-computers-software-recommendations,2026-07-15,”Windows is the safest recommendation because ArcGIS Pro and Lumion are Windows-only or perform better there.”<br /> LA02,Landscape architecture,University of Oregon,Landscape Architecture,”Windows-centric architecture and landscape applications”,Required,Discouraged,Rejected,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://archenvironment.uoregon.edu/landarch/workspaces/technology,2026-07-15,”A Windows PC without virtualization is specified; Apple workarounds are described as non-standard and unsupported.”<br /> LA03,Landscape architecture,University of Manitoba,Landscape Architecture,”Adobe Creative Cloud; Microsoft Office; QGIS; AutoCAD; Rhino; Vectorworks; ArcGIS Pro”,Recommended,Supported,Not stated,Yes,Not stated,Not stated,https://umanitoba.ca/architecture/sites/architecture/files/2025-07/department-of-landscape-architecture_2025_laptop-specs.pdf,2026-07-15,”Windows is recommended for ArcGIS compatibility; the policy also publishes an Apple M4-or-better option.”<br /> LA04,Landscape architecture,Texas A&M University,Landscape Architecture,”ArcGIS Pro; CityEngine; Lumion; Rhino”,Recommended,Discouraged,Not stated,No,Not stated,Blocked,https://www.arch.tamu.edu/resources/landscape-architecture-urban-planning-majors-computer-requirements/,2026-07-15,”macOS laptops are not recommended and Chromebooks are not suitable for design work.”<br /> LA05,Landscape architecture,University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School,Landscape Architecture,”ArcGIS Pro and design applications”,Recommended,Discouraged,Rejected,Yes,Not stated,Not stated,https://www.design.upenn.edu/it/computing-recommendations-landscape-architecture,2026-07-15,”Mac use is strongly discouraged; ArcGIS Pro cannot be adequately virtualized with Parallels on Apple Silicon.”<br /> ME01,Mechanical engineering,University of Florida,Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,”MATLAB; SolidWorks; LabVIEW”,Required,Discouraged,Not supported,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://mae.ufl.edu/students/undergraduate/computer-requirements/,2026-07-15,”Department says students should use a computer that natively runs Windows and does not support Mac use.”<br /> ME02,Mechanical engineering,University of Utah,Mechanical Engineering,”SolidWorks; MATLAB; Arduino; Microsoft Office”,Recommended,Allowed with fallback,Remote access described as problematic,No,CADE remote lab possible,Blocked,https://www.mech.utah.edu/academics/undergraduate/current-students/department-policies/,2026-07-15,”Mac/Linux cannot run SolidWorks locally; Chromebook and iPad cannot run the required software.”<br /> ME03,Mechanical engineering,University of Texas at Austin,Mechanical Engineering,”Windows-only required course software”,Required,Allowed with conditions,Virtual Windows required for Mac,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://www.me.utexas.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/laptop-requirements,2026-07-15,”Required course software does not run on macOS; Macs need extra resources and a Windows virtual environment.”<br /> ME04,Mechanical engineering,University of Maine,Mechanical Engineering,SolidWorks,Required,Not stated,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://mcec.umaine.edu/resource/mechanical-engineering-computer-policy/,2026-07-15,”Students are required to have a Microsoft Windows laptop capable of running SolidWorks.”<br /> ME05,Mechanical engineering,South Dakota State University,Mechanical Engineering,”Windows-only mechanical engineering software”,Recommended,Allowed with conditions,Dual boot or VM stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://www.sdstate.edu/mechanical-engineering/mechanical-engineering-laptop-requirements,2026-07-15,”Mac can run Windows software through dual boot or a VM but glitches and incomplete functionality are expected.”<br /> EN01,Multi-discipline engineering,University of Texas at Arlington,College of Engineering,”MATLAB; Mathematica; SolidWorks; CATIA; ABAQUS; ANSYS”,Supported,Allowed with conditions,Emulation verification advised,No,Windows computer labs,Blocked,https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/engineering/students/student-computer,2026-07-15,”Full desktop OS is required; Windows runs all required MAE software while Mac users must verify emulation.”<br /> EN02,Multi-discipline engineering,University of South Florida,College of Engineering,”Aspen; MATLAB; COMSOL; SolidWorks; AutoCAD; Mathematica; Python; C/C++”,Recommended,Not stated,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://www.usf.edu/engineering/undergraduate/laptop.aspx,2026-07-15,”College lists current Windows and a broad set of engineering applications as the supported academic-use target.”<br /> EN03,Multi-discipline engineering,Northeastern University,College of Engineering,”Microsoft Office; AutoCAD; MATLAB; SolidWorks”,Recommended,Supported through virtual lab,Virtual lab supported,No,COE Virtual Lab,Not stated,https://coe.northeastern.edu/computer/student-resources/computer-requirements-and-recommendations/,2026-07-15,”Many packages are Windows-only, while VLAB supports Windows, macOS, and Linux clients.”<br /> EN04,Multi-discipline engineering,Vanderbilt University,School of Engineering,”Microsoft Windows application software”,Required,Discouraged,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-services/computer-recommendations/,2026-07-15,”Biomedical, civil, electrical/computer, environmental, and mechanical students are told to use a PC rather than a Mac.”<br /> EN05,Multi-discipline engineering,University of Colorado Denver,College of Engineering Design and Computing,”SolidWorks; MATLAB; SAS; Python; Geomagic; AutoCAD; ANSYS; Revit; Navisworks; Primavera; Bluebeam; Procore”,Required,Not stated,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://engineering.ucdenver.edu/laptops,2026-07-15,”Published program matrices specify Windows 11 64-bit and name software by engineering discipline.”<br /> GI01,Geoscience and GIS,University of Texas at Austin Jackson School,Geosciences,”MATLAB; ArcGIS Pro; Microsoft Office”,Recommended,Allowed with conditions,VirtualBox or VMware path stated,No,Not stated,Blocked,https://www.jsg.utexas.edu/academics/undergraduate/laptop-requirements-for-undergraduates/,2026-07-15,”Windows is typically recommended; Mac users need Windows virtualization for ArcGIS Pro.”<br /> GI02,Geoscience and GIS,University of Central Arkansas,Geography GIS Certificate,”ArcGIS; ERDAS Imagine”,Not stated,Not stated,Not stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://uca.edu/geography/giscertificate/equipment/,2026-07-15,”All courses require current Esri ArcGIS software; one course also requires ERDAS Imagine. OS posture is not stated on the program page.”<br /> GI03,Geoscience and GIS,University of Colorado Boulder,Geography,”ArcGIS Desktop; ArcGIS Pro”,Required for local ArcGIS,Allowed with conditions,Virtual machine or Boot Camp path stated,No,Not stated,Not stated,https://www.colorado.edu/geography/facilities/using-course-software,2026-07-15,”ArcGIS is Windows-only and does not run natively on a Mac.”<br /> GI04,Geoscience and GIS,Appalachian State University,Geography and Planning,”ArcGIS and Windows-based geography/planning packages”,Recommended,Discouraged,Boot Camp complications noted,No,Department computers and uDesk,Not stated,https://geo.appstate.edu/about/computer-recommendations,2026-07-15,”Department does not recommend Apple laptops because most required packages are Windows-based.”<br /> GI05,Geoscience and GIS,Appalachian State University,Geological and Environmental Sciences,”ArcGIS; field data collection software; Google Earth Pro”,Recommended,Allowed with conditions,Not stated,No,Windows computer labs,Not stated,https://earth.appstate.edu/prospective-students/what-kind-computer-do-i-need,2026-07-15,”Windows 11 is preferred because GIS and field-device software may not run on Mac.”

{<br /> “dataset”: {<br /> “name”: “Student Software Compatibility by Major: 30-Program Benchmark (2026)”,<br /> “version”: “1.0.0”,<br /> “publisher”: “The Pro Tool Kit”,<br /> “data_through”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “canonical_url”: “https://theprotoolkit.com/student-software-compatibility-by-major-2026/”,<br /> “license”: “https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/”,<br /> “license_scope”: “TPTK original selection, coding, arrangement, field definitions, and aggregate analysis only.”,<br /> “sample_design”: “Purposive quota sample: five official program policies in each of six disciplines.”,<br /> “row_count”: 30,<br /> “discipline_count”: 6<br /> },<br /> “findings”: {<br /> “windows_required_or_recommended”: 26,<br /> “mac_discouraged_or_not_permitted”: 12,<br /> “negative_virtualization_guidance”: 8,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback_named”: 7,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: 3<br /> },<br /> “records”: [<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ID01”,<br /> “discipline”: “Interior design”,<br /> “institution”: “Virginia Commonwealth University”,<br /> “program”: “Interior Design”,<br /> “software_named”: “Revit 2025; Enscape”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Not permitted”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Rejected”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://arts.vcu.edu/current-students/technology-support-for-students/computer-requirements/interior-design/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Policy says Windows-only software does not run on macOS and Parallels or VMware is not adequate.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ID02”,<br /> “discipline”: “Interior design”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Florida”,<br /> “program”: “Interior Design”,<br /> “software_named”: “Revit; AutoCAD Architecture; Enscape; Lumion; SketchUp; Adobe Creative Cloud”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://dcp.ufl.edu/interior/ind-laptop-requirements/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Mac is not supported by several key packages; Boot Camp or Parallels is possible but not recommended.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ID03”,<br /> “discipline”: “Interior design”,<br /> “institution”: “Central Michigan University”,<br /> “program”: “Interior Design”,<br /> “software_named”: “Revit and Windows-taught design software”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Windows computer labs”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/college-education-human-services/departments/DIFM/interior-design/computer-requirements”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Program strongly recommends Windows and teaches on Windows workstations.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ID04”,<br /> “discipline”: “Interior design”,<br /> “institution”: “Meredith College”,<br /> “program”: “Interior Design”,<br /> “software_named”: “AutoCAD; Revit; Enscape; SketchUp Pro; Adobe applications”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Not permitted”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Rejected”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.meredith.edu/interior-design/laptop-and-software-policy/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Declared majors must maintain a Windows PC; Macs are not permitted.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ID05”,<br /> “discipline”: “Interior design”,<br /> “institution”: “University of North Carolina at Greensboro”,<br /> “program”: “Interior Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “AutoCAD; Revit; Adobe Creative Suite; SketchUp; Enscape”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Not stated”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://iarc.uncg.edu/undergraduate/computer-requirements/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Program requires a laptop compatible with the named applications and publishes Windows PC specifications.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “AR01”,<br /> “discipline”: “Architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute”,<br /> “program”: “Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “Rhino 8; V-Ray; Adobe Creative Cloud; Revit; Maya”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Boot Camp path stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.arch.rpi.edu/resources/students-useful-info/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “MacBook Pro is accepted only with Windows in Boot Camp; V-Ray licenses are Windows-only.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “AR02”,<br /> “discipline”: “Architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Virginia”,<br /> “program”: “Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “Adobe Creative Cloud; AutoCAD; Rhino; R; ArcGIS Pro; Revit; Rhino/Grasshopper plugins”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Supported”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Supported”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Supported”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “Yes”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Virtual workstations available”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Secondary devices only”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.arch.virginia.edu/resources/computer-requirements”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Both platforms are supported; Windows-only tools can use virtual desktops or Parallels including Windows ARM on M-series Macs.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “AR03”,<br /> “discipline”: “Architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Maryland”,<br /> “program”: “Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “Adobe Creative Cloud; AutoCAD; Revit; Microsoft 365; Rhino; SketchUp Pro”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://arch.umd.edu/student-experience/student-resources/technology-requirements”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “MacBook Pro is described as unsuitable for VR/modeling; Revit, Navisworks, and Lumion are not supported on macOS.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “AR04”,<br /> “discipline”: “Architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Michigan Taubman College”,<br /> “program”: “Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “Revit; ArcGIS; V-Ray for Rhino; Enscape for Rhino; Unreal Engine”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Supported”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Rejected or poor for named apps”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Secondary devices only”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/about/facilities/computing/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Macs are allowed but many named applications are Windows-only and emulators may be unsupported or perform poorly.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “AR05”,<br /> “discipline”: “Architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “Pratt Institute”,<br /> “program”: “Bachelor of Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “Rhino; AutoCAD; Revit; Adobe Creative Cloud”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.pratt.edu/administrative-departments/technology/technology-resources/laptop-software-guidelines/architecture-b-arch/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Program notes that some required architecture software runs only on Windows and labels Mac alternatives not recommended.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “LA01”,<br /> “discipline”: “Landscape architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo”,<br /> “program”: “Landscape Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “Adobe Creative Cloud; Microsoft 365; AutoCAD; Rhino; Lumion; ArcGIS Pro; Google Earth Pro”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://landscape.calpoly.edu/laptop-computers-software-recommendations”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Windows is the safest recommendation because ArcGIS Pro and Lumion are Windows-only or perform better there.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “LA02”,<br /> “discipline”: “Landscape architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Oregon”,<br /> “program”: “Landscape Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “Windows-centric architecture and landscape applications”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Rejected”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://archenvironment.uoregon.edu/landarch/workspaces/technology”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “A Windows PC without virtualization is specified; Apple workarounds are described as non-standard and unsupported.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “LA03”,<br /> “discipline”: “Landscape architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Manitoba”,<br /> “program”: “Landscape Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “Adobe Creative Cloud; Microsoft Office; QGIS; AutoCAD; Rhino; Vectorworks; ArcGIS Pro”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Supported”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “Yes”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://umanitoba.ca/architecture/sites/architecture/files/2025-07/department-of-landscape-architecture_2025_laptop-specs.pdf”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Windows is recommended for ArcGIS compatibility; the policy also publishes an Apple M4-or-better option.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “LA04”,<br /> “discipline”: “Landscape architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “Texas A&M University”,<br /> “program”: “Landscape Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “ArcGIS Pro; CityEngine; Lumion; Rhino”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Blocked”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.arch.tamu.edu/resources/landscape-architecture-urban-planning-majors-computer-requirements/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “macOS laptops are not recommended and Chromebooks are not suitable for design work.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “LA05”,<br /> “discipline”: “Landscape architecture”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School”,<br /> “program”: “Landscape Architecture”,<br /> “software_named”: “ArcGIS Pro and design applications”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Rejected”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “Yes”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.design.upenn.edu/it/computing-recommendations-landscape-architecture”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Mac use is strongly discouraged; ArcGIS Pro cannot be adequately virtualized with Parallels on Apple Silicon.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ME01”,<br /> “discipline”: “Mechanical engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Florida”,<br /> “program”: “Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “MATLAB; SolidWorks; LabVIEW”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not supported”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://mae.ufl.edu/students/undergraduate/computer-requirements/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Department says students should use a computer that natively runs Windows and does not support Mac use.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ME02”,<br /> “discipline”: “Mechanical engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Utah”,<br /> “program”: “Mechanical Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “SolidWorks; MATLAB; Arduino; Microsoft Office”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with fallback”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Remote access described as problematic”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “CADE remote lab possible”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Blocked”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.mech.utah.edu/academics/undergraduate/current-students/department-policies/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Mac/Linux cannot run SolidWorks locally; Chromebook and iPad cannot run the required software.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ME03”,<br /> “discipline”: “Mechanical engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Texas at Austin”,<br /> “program”: “Mechanical Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “Windows-only required course software”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Virtual Windows required for Mac”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.me.utexas.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/laptop-requirements”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Required course software does not run on macOS; Macs need extra resources and a Windows virtual environment.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ME04”,<br /> “discipline”: “Mechanical engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Maine”,<br /> “program”: “Mechanical Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “SolidWorks”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Not stated”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://mcec.umaine.edu/resource/mechanical-engineering-computer-policy/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Students are required to have a Microsoft Windows laptop capable of running SolidWorks.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “ME05”,<br /> “discipline”: “Mechanical engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “South Dakota State University”,<br /> “program”: “Mechanical Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “Windows-only mechanical engineering software”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Dual boot or VM stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.sdstate.edu/mechanical-engineering/mechanical-engineering-laptop-requirements”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Mac can run Windows software through dual boot or a VM but glitches and incomplete functionality are expected.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “EN01”,<br /> “discipline”: “Multi-discipline engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Texas at Arlington”,<br /> “program”: “College of Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “MATLAB; Mathematica; SolidWorks; CATIA; ABAQUS; ANSYS”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Supported”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Emulation verification advised”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Windows computer labs”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Blocked”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/engineering/students/student-computer”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Full desktop OS is required; Windows runs all required MAE software while Mac users must verify emulation.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “EN02”,<br /> “discipline”: “Multi-discipline engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “University of South Florida”,<br /> “program”: “College of Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “Aspen; MATLAB; COMSOL; SolidWorks; AutoCAD; Mathematica; Python; C/C++”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Not stated”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.usf.edu/engineering/undergraduate/laptop.aspx”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “College lists current Windows and a broad set of engineering applications as the supported academic-use target.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “EN03”,<br /> “discipline”: “Multi-discipline engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “Northeastern University”,<br /> “program”: “College of Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “Microsoft Office; AutoCAD; MATLAB; SolidWorks”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Supported through virtual lab”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Virtual lab supported”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “COE Virtual Lab”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://coe.northeastern.edu/computer/student-resources/computer-requirements-and-recommendations/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Many packages are Windows-only, while VLAB supports Windows, macOS, and Linux clients.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “EN04”,<br /> “discipline”: “Multi-discipline engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “Vanderbilt University”,<br /> “program”: “School of Engineering”,<br /> “software_named”: “Microsoft Windows application software”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-services/computer-recommendations/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Biomedical, civil, electrical/computer, environmental, and mechanical students are told to use a PC rather than a Mac.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “EN05”,<br /> “discipline”: “Multi-discipline engineering”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Colorado Denver”,<br /> “program”: “College of Engineering Design and Computing”,<br /> “software_named”: “SolidWorks; MATLAB; SAS; Python; Geomagic; AutoCAD; ANSYS; Revit; Navisworks; Primavera; Bluebeam; Procore”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Not stated”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://engineering.ucdenver.edu/laptops”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Published program matrices specify Windows 11 64-bit and name software by engineering discipline.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “GI01”,<br /> “discipline”: “Geoscience and GIS”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Texas at Austin Jackson School”,<br /> “program”: “Geosciences”,<br /> “software_named”: “MATLAB; ArcGIS Pro; Microsoft Office”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “VirtualBox or VMware path stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Blocked”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.jsg.utexas.edu/academics/undergraduate/laptop-requirements-for-undergraduates/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Windows is typically recommended; Mac users need Windows virtualization for ArcGIS Pro.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “GI02”,<br /> “discipline”: “Geoscience and GIS”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Central Arkansas”,<br /> “program”: “Geography GIS Certificate”,<br /> “software_named”: “ArcGIS; ERDAS Imagine”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Not stated”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Not stated”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://uca.edu/geography/giscertificate/equipment/”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “All courses require current Esri ArcGIS software; one course also requires ERDAS Imagine. OS posture is not stated on the program page.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “GI03”,<br /> “discipline”: “Geoscience and GIS”,<br /> “institution”: “University of Colorado Boulder”,<br /> “program”: “Geography”,<br /> “software_named”: “ArcGIS Desktop; ArcGIS Pro”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Required for local ArcGIS”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Virtual machine or Boot Camp path stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Not stated”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://www.colorado.edu/geography/facilities/using-course-software”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “ArcGIS is Windows-only and does not run natively on a Mac.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “GI04”,<br /> “discipline”: “Geoscience and GIS”,<br /> “institution”: “Appalachian State University”,<br /> “program”: “Geography and Planning”,<br /> “software_named”: “ArcGIS and Windows-based geography/planning packages”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Discouraged”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Boot Camp complications noted”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Department computers and uDesk”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://geo.appstate.edu/about/computer-recommendations”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Department does not recommend Apple laptops because most required packages are Windows-based.”<br /> },<br /> {<br /> “row_id”: “GI05”,<br /> “discipline”: “Geoscience and GIS”,<br /> “institution”: “Appalachian State University”,<br /> “program”: “Geological and Environmental Sciences”,<br /> “software_named”: “ArcGIS; field data collection software; Google Earth Pro”,<br /> “windows_posture”: “Recommended”,<br /> “mac_posture”: “Allowed with conditions”,<br /> “virtualization_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “apple_silicon_explicit”: “No”,<br /> “lab_or_remote_fallback”: “Windows computer labs”,<br /> “chromebook_tablet_guidance”: “Not stated”,<br /> “source_url”: “https://earth.appstate.edu/prospective-students/what-kind-computer-do-i-need”,<br /> “checked_date”: “2026-07-15”,<br /> “source_note”: “Windows 11 is preferred because GIS and field-device software may not run on Mac.”<br /> }<br /> ]<br /> }