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  2. Technology use

What are Prime's computer requirements?

We require all students to have an Apple (Mac) computer to complete the program. This article outlines the hardware and operating system requirements for our User Experience Design and Full Stack Engineering programs.

The requirements are different for our UX Design Program and Full Stack Engineering Program - please review carefully to make sure your device meets our requirements. All students must have a Apple (MAC) computer that meets these requirements prior to the start of the program.  Students are responsible for acquiring a computer that meets these requirements.

✏️ User Experience Design 

To ensure students are able to participate fully and use the required program software, the Prime UX program has a set of baseline standardized technology requirements. Students entering the program must have full-time access to a Mac laptop that meets the requirements below.

Minimum Apple (Mac) Computer Requirements:  (Updated Sept. 2024)

A Mac laptop running the current Mac OS, Sequoia, manufactured no earlier than 2021
  • https://support.apple.com/en-us/120282
  • 50GB of free hard drive space or cloud storage (cloud storage recommended)
  • 2GB of RAM (4GB+ of RAM is recommended to help with Figma and Zoom performance)

We will be using the following tools throughout the program:


💻 Full Stack Software Engineering

To ensure students are able to participate fully and use the required program software, the Prime Full Stack Engineering program has a set of baseline standardized technology requirements. All students must have an Apple (Mac) computer that meets these requirements prior to the start of the program. Students entering the program must have full-time access to a Mac laptop that meets the requirements below.

Minimum Tech Requirements (Updated Sept. 2024)

  • The computer must be running Mac OS Sonoma (OS version 14.X) or newer. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105113
  • Your experience will be better if you have newer equipment and software. 
  • Apple is currently updating their processors -- some models may be on the newer `M1/M2/M3`processor  and some may be on `Intel` -- Both can work, though you *may* have differences. Intel chips are older, and your experience will be better with the M processor. 
  • See specific requirements for on-campus and remote cohorts below. 

For On-Campus cohorts: You must have an Apple (Mac) laptop that meets the following requirements: 

  • MacBook introduced in early 2020 or newer
  • M1/M2/M3 MacBook Air introduced in early 2022 or newer
      • NOTE: MacBook Airs with the Intel chip are not powerful enough for the program.

 You'll ideally want to look for the following:

  • 250GB-1TB storage. A hard disk drive (HDD) is A-OK! A faster solid state drive (SSD) isn't required.
  • 16GB of memory. More is better!

For Remote cohorts: You can use a laptop or desktop Apple (Mac) computer if it meets the following requirements:  Note: Remote use is more intensive on your computer, opt for new and more recent models.

Apple (Mac) laptops requirements:

  • MacBook introduced in early 2020 or newer
  • M1/M2/M3 MacBook Air introduced in early 2022 or newer
    • Note: MacBook Airs with the Intel chip are not powerful enough for the program.
Apple (Mac) desktop requirements:
  • Mac mini (2020 or newer -- M1 mini,  will need webcam)
  • iMac (2020 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (2019 or newer -- will need webcam)
  • Mac Studio (2022 or newer – will need webcam)

   You'll ideally want to look for the following:

  • 250GB-1TB storage. A hard disk drive (HDD) is A-OK! A faster solid state drive (SSD) isn't required.
  • 16GB of memory. More is better!

💭 Have more questions?

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out to our admissions team at admissions@primeacademy.io.