Recommended Computer \ Interior Design

Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
General Note for 1st-Year Students

Interior design students entering their first year will need access to a personal computer capable of running basic academic software such as Zoom, Mural, Microsoft Office, and other common applications. A wide range of software is available to K-State students at no cost or at discounted rates: https://www.k-state.edu/it/resources/access-software/applications/

Although high-performance laptops are not strictly required in the first year, we now recommend purchasing a computer as soon as possible—rather than waiting until the second year—to avoid potential delays due to supply chain disruptions, international tariffs, or last-minute availability issues. A suitable device purchased early can provide a smoother transition into digital coursework and allow time for students to become familiar with essential software tools.

General Note for 2nd-Year Students

Interior design students entering their second year are required to have a personal laptop computer that meets or exceeds the specified minimum requirements. Starting in the second year, students begin coursework that relies on resource-intensive software requiring advanced processing power and memory.

Students are fully responsible for maintaining their equipment and digital files. Failure to keep systems updated and well-maintained may result in performance issues, data loss, or frustration during critical projects. Proactive care and early acquisition of technology will help ensure success in the program.

Dell Offerings

Laptop

Dell Pro Max Premium 16

    • Intel® Core™ Ultra 7
    • Windows 11 Pro 64
    • NVIDIA RTX PRO 2000 BLACKWELL
    • 32 GB RAM
    • 1TB SSD
    • ProSupport Next Business Day Onsite Service after remote diagnosis with HW-SW Support, Accidental Damage, 4 Years
    • ~$4,797 As of 4/27/26

Warranty

4 year Pro Support Next Business Day Onsite warranty is highly recommended.
Purchasing through the provided links offers a significant discount on these warranties.

Purchasing Options

K-State CatTech store in the Union

Phone: 1-785-201-1941 Extension 4
Email: cawright@follett.com, 1408590@follett.com

Dell direct: Follow these steps to unlock exclusive savings:
      1. Visit Dell’s Student Portal: www.Dell.com/student
      2. Sign in or create an account.
      3. Register for Dell Rewards by clicking the Dell Rewards box when you create your My Account.
      4. Verify your student status with a valid student email address.
      5. Your student discount will be automatically applied to applicable items, and you will see the discount applied within cart.

Question?
Call sales: 1-877-275-3355 or chat with a live sales agent through the Dell website.

Lenovo Offerings

Laptop

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3

    • Intel Core Ultra 7
    • Windows 11 Pro 64
    • NVIDIA RTX PRO 3000 BLACKWELL
    • 32 GB RAM
    • 1 TB SSD
    • Integrated Ethernet Port
    • 4Y Onsite Warranty
    • 4Y Accidental Damage Protection
    • $3,965 as of 3/13/26

Warranty

4 year Onsite Accidental Damage Warranty is highly recommended.
Purchasing through the provided links offers a significant discount on these warranties.

Purchasing Options

Online orders: Lenovo Student Purchasing

Brett Collard
Sr. Account Exectutive
Lenovo United States
Email jcollard@lenovo.com

 

Recommended Accessories

Monitor

Lenovo ThinkVision 4k Monitor
Dell Pro Plus 4k Monitor
$300-320

Power Strip (Surge Protector)

Furman Pro Plug 6-Outlet Power Strip with Surge Protection
$35

Ethernet Connectivity

Cat 6 Ethernet cable.
15ft recommended.
$20

Ethernet adapter for Dell Pro Max Laptops.
All recommended desktops have a built in ethernet port.
$25

Webcam (Desktops Only)

Logitech C920S Pro HD Webcam
Laptops have a built in webcam.
$70

 

Software

Windows 11 Pro 64bit
Included with systems listed above.
There are multiple versions of Windows 11, ensure you have the PRO version and not the HOME version.

Microsoft Office
Available FREE through K-State Office 365 Webmail.

Cloud Storage
All Kansas State Students are provided free of charge with 5 TB of Cloud Storage through OneDrive during their time at Kansas State.

Adobe Creative Cloud
Software may be purchased from Adobe at academic discounts.
Check Adobe's storefront for current pricing.

Autodesk applications offered via the Autodesk Education Community.
Available FREE at autodesk.com
It is recommended to wait until you have received the syllabus from your instructor before downloading and installing Autodesk applications.

SketchUp
$55.00 /year
SketchUp Studio for Students

Enscape
$12.42 /month
Get your Enscape student license

Additional software may be specified in your instructor’s course syllabus.