This table summarizes the standard options for new Apple computers provided through the SAS Computing allocations program for standing faculty (i.e., tenure track) only. If you are in a different type of position, please get in touch with your local computing support provider (LSP) for information on how to get a computer.

Current technology presents cost and performance trade-offs that you should review with your LSP to ensure you choose the best computer to meet your requirements. The computer options below reflect a range of possible choices. If none of them provide the required configuration, your LSP can help you choose a customized configuration.

Apple Options

Apple Mac Operating System 15 (Sequoia) and 26 (Tahoe)
(Please see Supported Desktop Operating Systems for more information.)

Please see the SAS Computing Standard Software List for standard software installed on Allocation computers.

Differences between the desktop options are highlighted in red.
Differences between the laptop options are highlighted in blue.

Please see below the first two tables for possible upgrades.

 

	Desktop		Laptop
	Standard 24-inch	High End 24-inch (Please see note 1 below the table.)	Standard 13-inch (Please see note 2 below the table.)	Mid Range 15-inch (Please see note 4 below the table.)	High End 14-inch Please see note 5 below the table.)	High End 16-inch (Please see note 6 below the table.)
Model:	24-inch Apple iMac		13-inch Apple MacBook Air	15-inch Apple MacBook Air	14-inch Apple MacBook Pro	16-inch Apple MacBook Pro
Month/Year Apple Last Revised:	October 2024		March 2026
Approximate Weight: (varies by configuration and manufacturing process)	9.75 lbs.		2.7 lbs.	3.3 lbs.	3.5 lbs.	4.7 lbs.
CPU:	Apple M4 8-core	Apple M4 10-core	Apple M5 10-core		Apple M5 Pro 15-core	Apple M5 Pro 18-core
Storage Size & Type	512 GB Solid State Drive (SSD)		512 GB Solid State Drive (SSD)		1 TB Solid State Drive (SSD)
Memory:	16 GB		16 GB		24 GB
Integrated Graphics:	8-core	10-core	8-core (Please see note 3 below the table.)	10-core	16-core	20-core
Display size:	Built-in 24-inch		13.6-inch	15.3-inch	14.2-inch	16.2-inch
Display Native Resolution:	4480 x 2520		2560 x 1664	2880 x 1864	3024 x 1964	3456 x 2234
	DESKTOP		LAPTOP
	Standard 24-inch	High End 24-inch	Standard 13-inch	Mid-range 15-inch	High End 14-inch	High End 16-inch
Ports & Connections:	2 USB-C/USB-4/Thunderbolt 4 Gigabit Ethernet Power	2 USB-C/USB-4/Thunderbolt 4 2 USB-C/USB-3 Gigabit Ethernet Power	2 USB-C/USB-4/Thunderbolt 4 MagSafe 3 power 3.5 mm headphone jack (No Ethernet, but an adapter can be provided if needed.)		3 USB-C/USB-4/Thunderbolt 4 MagSafe 3 power 3.5 mm headphone jack HDMI SDXC card slot (No Ethernet, but an adapter can be provided if needed,)	3 USB-C/USB-5/Thunderbolt 5 MagSafe 3 power 3.5 mm headphone jack HDMI SDXC card slot (No Ethernet, but an adapter can be provided if needed,)
Misc:	Wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and webcam		Backlit keyboard, webcam, and carrying case.
Lead Time: (May vary. Please check with us at time of order.)	3-4 weeks		2-3 weeks		4-6 weeks
Additional Cost: (Subject to change. Please check with us at time of order.)	N/A	$93	N/A	$210	$1,110	$1,640
Some Possible Upgrades:
	DESKTOP		LAPTOP
	Standard 24-inch	High End 24-inch	Standard 13-inch (Please see note 7 below this table.)	Mid-range 15-inch	High End 14-inch	High End 16-inch
Storage:	1 TB SSD (max) = +$180	1 TB SSD = +$180 2 TB SSD (max) = +$540	1 TB SSD = +$200 2 TB SSD = +$560 4 TB SSD (max) = +$1,100		2 TB SSD = +$360 4 TB SSD = +$900
Memory:	24 GB RAM (max) = +$200	24 GB RAM = +$200	24 GB RAM = +$400	24 GB RAM = +$200	36 GB RAM = +$1,250 (Includes an upgrade to an M5 Max 18-core CPU/32-core GPU, a 2 TB SSD, a 96W power adapter, and adds .06 lbs to the weight.)	36 GB RAM = +$1,110 (Includes an upgrade to an M5 Max 18-core CPU/32-core GPU, & a 2 TB SSD, and adds .05 lbs to the weight.)
		32 GB RAM (max) = +$380	32 GB RAM (max) = +$580	32 GB RAM (max) = +$380	48 GB RAM = +$360	48 GB RAM = +$400

 

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Notes

1. Higher-end desktop computers with separate, larger displays are available. Please get in touch with your local computing support provider for more information.

2. If you want a standard 13-inch MacBook Air as soon as possible, we have a couple of the previous model in stock. If you want one of these, please add a note in the Comments section of the SAS Computing Allocation Questionnaire.

3. If you want to upgrade to the 10-core GPU, it costs $90. If you want this, please add a note in the Comments section of the SAS Computing Allocation Questionnaire.

4. The 15-inch MacBook Air has a configuration similar to that of the 13-inch. Some people prefer the larger screen despite the added weight, but an external monitor in each location may be preferable if you primarily work in the office and at home. Please get in touch with your local computing support provider for more information.

5. A $450 cheaper 14-inch MacBook Pro option is also available.  It has an M5 (not Pro) 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, a 1 TB SSD, and 16 GB RAM. It requires a $660 charge to your faculty research funds or other Penn account. In addition, there are more configurations available. Please get in touch with your local computing support provider for more information.

6. There are more configurations of the 16-inch available. Please get in touch with your local computing support provider for more information.

7. All of these upgrades for the 13-inch MacBook Air include an upgrade to a 10-core GPU & a 1 TB SSD. If you combine any of the upgrades, you may subtract $200 from all but one of them. Please contact allocations@sas.upenn.edu if you need clarification.

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Further Information

If you have any questions, please contact the Computer Allocations Program Manager, Sarah Nachmias, at allocations@sas.upenn.edu.

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