Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) refers to the use of personal laptops in teaching. Starting in the fall semester of 2024, BYOD will be mandatory for all ETH Zurich students who are starting a new degree program, mandatory.
Laptop Recommendations for Architecture Students (D-ARCH, Fall 2026)
Due to the intensive use of CAD, BIM, and rendering software in the architecture program, choosing a high-performance device is essential. The following models serve as a reference for the hardware requirements. Comparable devices from other manufacturers may also be suitable.
Minimum Recommendation (Budget-Friendly)
This configuration meets all the requirements for everyday academic work. It is suitable for CAD drawings, graphic design, and initial visualizations:
macOS: MacBook Air
- – Processor: M5
- – CPU: 10-core
- – RAM: 24 GB
- – SSD: 1 TB
- – Reference: Reference: Apple Education Store
Windows: Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6
- – Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core Ultra 7
- – CPU: 8-core
- – GPU: RTX 4060
- – RAM: 32 GB
- – SSD: 1 TB
- – Reference: Reference Project Neptune
Recommended for Comfort (Optimal Workflow)
These devices offer higher performance. If you frequently render or work with highly complex 3D models, this additional cost is a long-term investment that will speed up your workflow:
macOS: MacBook Pro
- – Processor: M5 Pro
- – CPU: 15-core
- – GPU: 16-core
- – RAM: 48 GB
- – SSD: 1 TB
- – Reference: Reference Apple Education Store
Windows: Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6
- – Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 or Intel Core Ultra 9
- – CPU: 16-core
- – GPU: RTX 5070
- – RAM: 64 GB
- – SSD: 1 TB
- – Reference: Reference: Project Neptun
Important Hardware Notes
- – Student Discounts: Take advantage of regular offers for students through Projekt Neptun, Apple Education, and Lenovo Education. For Windows devices, a 3-year warranty extension is strongly recommended.
- – Portability & Screen Size: Choosing the screen size is a personal trade-off between weight/portability and screen area.
- – Performance & Portability: High-performance Windows workstations are often heavier and have shorter battery life.
- – Peripherals: USB-C charging is very convenient for everyday use (make sure the charger provides the power required by the laptop). A mouse is essential for working with CAD programs.
For more information for students and instructors (examiners), see the link: https://ethz.ch/de/die-eth-zuerich/lehre/bringyourowndevice.html