(Updated April 2013)
The Department of Art and Design requires purchase of computers. First-year Art & Design students will take a digital imaging class via distance education and will need access to a computer and software. The Department of Art & Design recommends their first-year students go ahead and purchase a computer instead of waiting until their sophomore year. Art & Design is the only department in the College of Design to recommend first year students buy a computer for coursework. Students may use either Macintosh or Windows computers for their coursework. Animation students should consider higher-end computers.
Apple Macintosh computers allow both Macintosh and Windows software to run on the same computer using a dual-boot system. Other options for running Windows applications on a Macintosh using virtualization software are available. We consider the dual-boot method the better option for our students because dual-boot provides better performance. Some of our students are choosing to use dual-boot on their own computers. Students interested in running Windows on a Macintosh computer are encouraged to speak with the College of Design Information Technology staff. Please note the cost of Windows operating system and Windows software will be in addition to Macintosh software.
Each department in the College of Design has different computer requirements. Please read the College’s Student Computing Requirements Information page for general information before spending money on computer hardware or software.
We recommend that your computer meet or exceed the specifications below. Animation students should consider higher-end computers. A computer with greater capability (processor speed, RAM, disk capacity) and expandability will be more likely to continue to run required software in later years of college.
This chart provides minimum recommendations for students purchasing new computers. Clicking on “Tell Me More” will provide detailed information about a component. Software requirements are listed at the bottom of the chart. Additional specialized software may be required in other courses, as determined by the instructor. Students may consider the purchase of other software to support their particular goals and learning styles.
Windows Computers
| Components | Windows Desktop | Windows Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| CPU (Processor) or Model | Any model using Intel Core i5 or i7 or equivalent processor | |
| System RAM | 8 GB minimum, more preferred | 8 GB minimum, more preferred if capable |
| CD/DVD/Blu-ray Drive (optional) | CD-RW/DVD-R/Blu-ray optional | |
| Hard Drive (Storage) | 512 SSD or 750 GB/7200 RPM minimum, more preferred | 512 SSD or 750 GB/7200 RPM minimum, more preferred |
| Monitor | 21″ or larger | 15″ or larger (second 21″ or larger external monitor recommended) |
| Video Adapter (Graphics Card) | 512 MB VRAM or more | |
| Operating System | Windows 7 Professional (Not “Home” version) | |
| Sound Card | 100% Windows compliant sound card | |
| Ethernet Adapter | Built-in RJ-45 | Built-in RJ-45
(802.11g or 802.11n compatible wireless ethernet card optional, but needed for wireless network access. This is standard on most laptops.) |
| External Hard Drive for Back-ups | An external drive at least as large as your computer’s internal drive for backing up your computer | |
| Warranty Service | minimum 3-year onsite parts and labor | |
| Software
Be sure to check for educational discounts through the College of Design or NCSU Bookstores. Additional software may be required for certain courses. |
• Microsoft Office 2010 or later
• Adobe Photoshop CS6 or later • Adobe Illustrator CS6 or later • Adobe Flash CS6 Professional or later (Consider Adobe Creative Suite, which is available in several different bundles. “Creative Suite Design Premium” is a good fit for most Art and Design students. It includes InDesign, Acrobat, Illustrator, Photoshop Extended, Flash Professional and Dreamweaver. Other bundles are available.) • Adobe After Effects CS6 or later |
|
Macintosh Computers
| Components | Macintosh Desktop | Macintosh Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| CPU (Processor) or Model | iMac or Mac Pro, any current model | MacBook Pro, any current 15″ model |
| System RAM | 8 GB minimum, more preferred | 8 GB minimum, more preferred if capable |
| CD/DVD Drive | Optional external SuperDrive (CD/DVD) available | |
| Hard Drive (Storage) | 512 SSD or 750 GB/7200 RPM minimum, more preferred | 512 SSD or 750 GB/7200 RPM minimum, more preferred |
| Monitor | 21″ or larger (Monitors from other vendors will work with Apple computers.) | 15″ (second 21″ or larger external monitor recommended) Monitors from other vendors will work with Apple computers. |
| Video Adapter (Graphics Card) | 512 MB VRAM or more | |
| Operating System | Mac OS X version 10.8 or later | |
| Sound Card | Standard on Macintosh | |
| Ethernet Adapter | Standard on Macintosh desktop models
(Wireless card is standard.) |
Ethernet port standard on some MacBook Pros, additional adapter needed for Retina Display models.
(Wireless card is standard.) |
| External Hard Drive for Back-ups | An external drive at least as large as your computer’s internal drive for backing up your computer | |
| Warranty Service | 3-year AppleCare Protection Plan | |
| Software
Be sure to check for educational discounts through the College of Design or NCSU Bookstores. Additional software may be required for certain courses. |
• Microsoft Office 2011 or later
• Adobe Photoshop CS6 or later • Adobe Illustrator CS6 or later • Adobe Flash CS6 Professional or later (Consider Adobe Creative Suite, which is available in several different bundles. “Creative Suite Design Premium” is a good fit for most Art and Design students. It includes InDesign, Acrobat, Illustrator, Photoshop Extended, Flash Professional and Dreamweaver. Other bundles are available.) • Adobe After Effects CS6 or later If you want to run both Mac OS X and Windows on a Mac, you will also need: • Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (in addition to Mac OS X) and Windows-compatible software of your choosing. (You do not need to have the same software applications for both operating systems.) |
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Questions?
The College’s Information Technology staff will be glad to go over purchase choices or answer any related questions. Contact them by sending an email to: design_help@ncsu.edu.