Computer Requirements

In the School of Engineering Technology(SET), our undergraduates benefit from being part of a technology-enhanced learning community. All students entering the School of Engineering Technology will be required to have a PC notebook computer that meets our hardware and software requirements(Macs do not meet these requirements) .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

System Requirements for SET student laptop computer

All SET students need a PC…Mac computers will not work

You may purchase your notebook computer from your preferred vendor or you may choose to take advantage of our negotiated packages through the University of Maine Bookstore.

*MET=Mechanical Engineering Technology, CET=Construction, Engineering Technology, SVT=Surveying Engineering Technology, EET=Electrical Engineering Technology

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro of Enterprise (64 bit)

Processor: i7 M or U processor (not Y)

Memory: 16 GB RAM (more is better)

Hard Drive Space: 512 GB with at least 12 GB free, hybrid or solid state drive (SSD)

Video: 2GB or more NVIDIA Graphics*

Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 or higher

DirectX: DirectX® 11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 3

Pointer: Windows IntelliMouse Optical Mouse with wheel

Communications Ports: USB 2.0 or 3.0

Warranty 3 Year onsite with accidental damage coverage

Ethernet/NIC 10/100/1000 Ethernet Card

Wireless 802.11 a/g/n dual band (802.11ac if available)

*Graphics card compatibility is very important.  Thus, integrated graphics cards are NOT recommended. 

Additional notes for MET students (SURFCAM and SolidWorks software)

MET students will use the parametric solid modeling computer-aided design software SolidWorks and the computer numerical control computer-aided machining software SurfCAM.  SURFCAM is not supported to run on any Mac system. Windows 8 Home or Windows 8 RT are NOT supported. 

Integrated graphics cards are not recommended for either SURFCAM or SolidWorks. NVIDIA graphics cards are recommended over ATI graphics card per SURFCAM’s recommendations.

SURFCAM system requirements (external site) 

SolidWorks system requirements (external site)

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise (64 bit)

Processor: Intel Core i7

Memory: 16 GB RAM (more is better)

Hard Drive Space: 512 GB Solid State Drive (SSD)

Video: Integrated graphics card*

Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080

DirectX: DirectX® 11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 3

Pointer: Optical Mouse with wheel

Communications Ports: USB 2.0 or 3.0

Ethernet/NIC: 10/100/1000 Ethernet Card

Wireless: 802.11ac

Integrated camera or webcam

Headset with microphone

Warranty: Accidental damage coverage is recommended

*Separate graphics card like a NVIDIA can be helpful but not required

Additional notes for SVT students (Autodesk software)

Many software products used in the AEC industry were designed and built for exclusive use in the MS Windows operating systems and NOT for MacOS (Apple).  Though in theory dual-booting Mac’s may work, and Autodesk, for example does design some software for use on Mac’s, the performance is often unstable.  It is for this reason that all CET and SVT students are required to have a PC (NOT a Mac) laptop that meets the minimum configurations for the software utilized in their programs. 

It’s best to check compatibility with the Autodesk Certified Hardware tool.  (you can type in the link or search the bold text)

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?siteID=123112&id=18844534

You can check complete systems and graphics cards.  The most important part is the graphics card.

Search based on the above Autodesk software for your program.

Additional notes for EET students (Multisim)

Multisim will be required during the program.  This has a student version that may be purchased online.  They will operate on systems meeting the bare minimum system Requirements. Some software used in EET is not compatible with Mac systems.

This is NOT the recommended configuration as it will be very slow and frustrating for some core classes.  

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise (64 Bit)

Processor: Quad Core, Intel 4th Gen (Haswell) Core i5

Memory: 16 GB RAM 

Hard Drive Space: 256 GB with at least 8 GB Free

Video: Integrated graphics card

Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 or higher

DirectX: DirectX® 11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 3

Pointer: Windows IntelliMouse Optical Mouse with wheel

Communications Ports: USB 2.0 or 3.0

Wireless 802.11 a/g/n dual band (802.11ac if available)

Integrated camera or webcam

Headset with microphone