Apple Computing Equipment Specs and Purchasing Instructions for Staff and Instructors

Overview

Apple Laptops | Apple Desktops | Setting Up a Laptop | Standard Software | Security | Warranty | Accessories | Unboxing | Apple Data Plan Devices

SHI is the University-wide Contracted Supplier for Apple products and services. The SHI punch-out in the PantherExpress System will include the same products and services available directly through Apple. SHI provides the University with a discounted price on many Apple products and is also designated as a diverse supplier. Purchasing from SHI contributes to the University's goals, as part of the Plan for Pitt, to support the community and economic development by increasing spending with diverse businesses. Visit this page to learn more about SHI’s products and services, how to place an order, and supplier contact information.

To access the "Featured Standards" on the SHI punchout, click on Company Standards and then Apple Standards. They are also highlighted under the Featured Standards on the main page of the punchout as seen below:

These purchases are designed for department-purchased and owned devices for professional use by faculty and staff. (Faculty, staff, or students looking to purchase an Apple device at a discount can do so through the Member Purchase Program.)

Please note that any devices that need to have a mobile data plan should be purchased in accordance with the University Cellular Mobile Plan Program. 

NOTE: Due to global supply chain issues, some devices may take longer than normal to ship. Ship times are rapidly changing; please note the ship time when ordering and reach out to our Account Manager if you have a tight deadline.

PURCHASE THROUGH PANTHEREXPRESS >>

Purchase Consistency Offers Many Benefits:

  • Delivery to departmental IT prior to unboxing for effective technical support and security, with enterprise device management and installation of University software (like antivirus, Office, etc).
  • All devices can run standard productivity applications from any location, either through the cloud or installed locally.
  • All recommended peripherals are designed to work seamlessly with recommended computers.
  • Virtual desktops can be leveraged for specialty, demanding, or Windows-specific applications.

Detail

Computer Options for Use by Departmental Staff and Instructors

For easy ordering, we have worked with SHI to create a variety of standards to purchase without having to request a quote. If you have a device that is frequently needed, please contact the Help Desk and request a ticket be sent to Technical Consulting for Departments. They can work with SHI to create a standard order for you.

For setup instructions, please see Setting Up Your Purchased Computer.

Laptops

The following are recommended models that includes an extra year of AppleCare with the 4-year warranty, a $60 value, as compared to purchasing direct from Apple:

  MacBook Air 13", M4 MacBook Air 15", M4 MacBook Pro,
14.2", M4 Pro		 MacBook Pro,
16.2", M4 Pro
 
(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)
Screen Size 13" 15" 14.2" 16.2"
Color Space Gray Space Gray Space Black Space Black
Battery Life 52.6-watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery 66.5-watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery 72.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
Charging 30W USB-C Power Adapter (included with M4 with 8‑core GPU) 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter (included with M4 with 10‑core GPU) 70W USB-C Power Adapter
Fast-charge capable with 96W USB-C Power Adapter		 140W USB-C Power Adapter
Fast-charge capable with included 140W USB-C Power Adapter
Operating System macOS Sequoia 15 macOS Sequoia 15 macOS Sequoia 15 macOS Sequoia 15
Processor Apple M4 chip
8-core CPUs		 Apple M4 chip
10-core CPUs		 Apple M4 chip
10-core CPU		 Apple M4 Pro chip
14-core CPU
Memory (RAM) 16 GB 16 GB 16 GB 24 GB
Hard Drive 256 GB SSD  256 GB SSD  512 GB SSD  512 GB SSD 
Webcam and
Microphone		 1080p FaceTime HD camera
3.5 mm headphone jack		 1080p FaceTime HD camera
3.5 mm headphone jack		 12MP Center Stage camera
1080p HD video recording
3.5 mm headphone jack		 12MP Center Stage camera
1080p HD video recording
3.5 mm headphone jack
Wireless Card Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Wired Port No No No No
Size and Weight Height: 0.44 inch
Width: 11.97 inches
Depth: 8.46 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds		 Height: 0.45 inch
Width: 13.40 inches
Depth: 9.35 inches
Weight: 3.3 pounds		 Height: 0.61 inch
Width: 12.31 inches
Depth: 8.71 inches
Weight: 3.5 pounds		 Height: 0.66 inch
Width: 14.01 inches
Depth: 9.77 inches
Weight: 4.7 pounds
In the Box 13-inch MacBook Air
30W USB-C Power Adapter
USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable
 15-inch MacBook Air
35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter
USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable
 14-inch MacBook Pro
70W USB-C Power Adapter
USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable
 16-inch MacBook Pro
140W USB-C Power Adapter
USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable
Est. Price* ~$1,119.45 with 4-year warranty
(Base price: $890.01)		 ~$1,334.52 with 4-year warranty
(Base price: $1,088.01)		 ~$1,793.24 with 4-year warranty
(Base price: $1,487.00)		 ~$2,582.25 with 4-year warranty
(Base price: $2,276.01)
  PURCHASE NOW >> PURCHASE NOW >> PURCHASE NOW >> PURCHASE NOW >>
         

*Last updated: March 28, 2025

Due to global supply chain issues, some devices are taking longer than normal to ship. Ship times are rapidly changing; please note the ship time when ordering. Dell recommends ordering as soon as possible for fastest delivery.

Software Applications (click to expand)

Security (click to expand)

Warranty (click to expand)

Desktop Options

Pitt Digital still recommends a mobile-first posture; however, there are use cases for desktops like shared space and research lab environments. The following are recommended models that includes an extra year of AppleCare with the 4-year warranty, a $60 value, as compared to purchasing direct from Apple:

  iMac 24" M4, silver Mac Mini M4 Mac Studio M4
 

Operating System macOS Sequoia 15 macOS Sequoia 15 macOS Sequoia 15
Input Magic Keyboard
Magic Mouse

Configurable with:
  • Magic Keyboard with
    Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
  • Magic Trackpad
 Not included Not included
Processor 8-core CPU 10-core CPU 12-core CPU
30-core GPU
Memory (RAM) 16GB 16GB 32GB
Hard Drive 512GB 512GB 1TB
Connections Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for:
  • Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
  • USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
  • DisplayPort
3.5 mm headphone jack

**Configured with Ethernet		 On front:
  • Two USB-C ports
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
On back:
  • Gigabit Ethernet port
  • Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
 On front:
  • Two USB-C ports
  • SDXC Card Slot
On back:
  • Gigabit Ethernet port
  • Four Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
  • Two USB-A ports
  • HDMI port
  • 10Gb Ethernet
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
Est. Price* ~$1,656.15 with 4-year warranty
(Base price: $1,493.91)		 ~$815.85 with 4-year warranty
(Base price: $692.01)		 ~$2,121.45 with 4-year warranty
(Base price: $1,959.21)
  PURCHASE NOW >> PURCHASE NOW >> PURCHASE NOW >>
       

Last updated: March 28, 2025

Due to global supply chain issues, some devices are taking longer than normal to ship. Ship times are rapidly changing; please note the ship time when ordering. Apple recommends ordering as soon as possible for fastest delivery.

Tablets, Accessories and Peripherals (click to expand)

Print Article