Hardware and Software Information

Learn more about what sort of computer is recommended for use at MICA, as well as accessing information about what software resources are available to students during their time at MICA.

Hardware

Technology will be a key part of your MICA experience, whether in the classroom, library or residence hall. We recommend that students bring or purchase a laptop or desktop computer in order to participate in classes, projects and to collaborate with students and faculty. The information below will help you select the right computer for your educational needs.

Recommended specifications for new Apple/Macintosh computers:

13" MacBook Pro

Intel Core i5 processor
16 GB of RAM
256 GB solid state drive
Intel Iris Graphics 650

15" MacBook Pro

Intel Core i7 processor
16 GB of RAM
256 GB solid state drive
Radeon Pro 555

Please note: The 15" MacBook Pro is recommended for students planning to major in: Film & Video, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Product Design. Additionallly, as the MacBook Pros use the newer USB-C ports for I/O connectivity, the purchase of a USB to USB-C adapter is recommended.

Minimum specifications for existing Apple / Macintosh computers:

Intel Core i5 processor
8 GB of RAM
128 GB solid state drive
13" or larger screen

Recommended specifications for new Windows machines / PCs:

15" Dell XPS 9560 laptop

Intel Core i7 processor
Windows 10 Home
16 GB of RAM
512 GB solid state drive
NVidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card
specifically for Game Design: GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card

Minimum specifications for existing Windows machines / PCs

Intel Core i5 processor
8 GB of RAM
128 GB solid state drive
13" or larger screen

Important Notes

Support plans for computers are highly recommended
Unlimited online storage is accessible through your MICA email's Google Drive account
The purchase of a 1 - 4 TB hard drive is recommended. The cost of this is anywhere from $50 - $100.

Software

The Adobe Creative Cloud will be provided to undergraduate and graduate students as part of the school's Technology Fee. This bundle includes Photoshop, Illustrator, inDesign, Premiere Pro and many other important software titles. As part of our licensing agreement with Adobe, students get access to software updates released during their time at the college (such as moving from 2017 CC software to the 2018 CC software). For information on how to access to this software bundle, please click here.

Google Apps is part of the web-based software package provided along with a MICA account. This includes Gmail, Google Calendar and Contacts, Google Docs, Google Books, Google Drive (for storing files), Picassa (for storing images), and a host of other applications.

Microsoft Office 365 is available to undergraduate students, and graduate students. To obtain your license for this software, contact the Help Desk: Help@MICA.edu / (410) 225 - 2201.

Canvas will be your Learning Management System and will be used by all classes to communicate with you concerning class documents, book lists, assignments, etc. Canvas can be accessed through the MyMICA portal or this direct login page.

Lynda.Com - Lynda is a web-based training service to help you learn all of the important software that you will be using at MICA. This includes most software in all disciplines. You can create your own account and track your progress, receive certificates for completion of lessons and communicate your success to your instructors. Lynda.com can be accessed through the links listed within a student's portal content.

Anti-virus software - Anti-Virus software is recommended but not required. Use caution when installing these as some services can block ports that are needed by certain applications. Apple products typically are not susceptible to viruses but of course anything can happen, so use caution when online. PC’s have a higher risk and should use some type of virus protection, such as Symantec's Norton AntiVirus Basic.

Theft Prevention - There are multiple ways you can safeguard your laptop or mobile device while at MICA. If you have an Apple product, use Find My Mac/iPhone, which is part of iCloud. This will help you track your lost or stolen Apple device, read more about how it works here. If you need help in setting this up, you can find information here or contact the Help Desk. There are other services offered for PC’s and Mac’s that can be found online or at a store that sells electronics.