(Updated April 2012)
The Department of Landscape Architecture requires purchase of computers by all undergraduate and graduate students when they begin their Landscape Architecture studio sequence. Graduate students should have a computer no later than three months into the Fall semester of their first year. Students may use either Macintosh or Windows computers for their coursework.
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 than virtualization. Many 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. 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 or equivalent processors. | |
| System RAM | 4 GB minimum, more preferred | 4 GB minimum, more preferred if capable |
| CD/DVD | CD-RW/DVD-R | |
| Hard Disk Size | 320 GB minimum, more preferred | 250 GB minimum, more preferred |
| Monitor | 18″ or larger | 14″ or larger (second external monitor optional) |
| Video Adapter (Graphics Card) | 256 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 compatible wireless ethernet card optional, but needed for wireless network access) |
| 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. Many Autodesk products are available free through Autodesk’s Education Community. Additional software may be required for certain courses. |
• Microsoft Office 2010 or later (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Autodesk AutoCAD 2012 or later • Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 (Creative Suite come in several different bundles. “Creative Suite Design Standard” is a good fit for most Landscape Architecture students. It includes InDesign, Acrobat, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Other bundles are available.) |
|
Macintosh Computers
| Components | Macintosh Desktop | Macintosh Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| CPU (Processor) or Model | iMac or Mac Pro, any current model | MacBook Pro, any current 15″ or 17″ model |
| System RAM | 4 GB minimum, more preferred | 4 GB minimum, more preferred if capable |
| CD/DVD | SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) | |
| Hard Disk Size | 320 GB minimum, more preferred | 250 GB minimum, more preferred |
| Monitor | 18″ or larger (Monitors from other vendors will work with Apple computers.) iMacs include a built-in monitor. | 15″ or 17″(second external monitor optional) Monitors from other vendors will work with Apple computers. |
| Video Adapter (Graphics Card) | 256 MB VRAM or more | |
| Operating System | Mac OS X version 10.6 or later | |
| Sound Card | Standard on Macintosh | |
| Ethernet Adapter | Standard on Macintosh
(Wireless Airport Extreme card also standard.) |
Standard on Macintosh
(Wireless Airport Extreme card also 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. Many Autodesk products are available free through Autodesk’s Education Community. Additional software may be required for certain courses. |
• Microsoft Office 2011 or later (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 (Creative Suite come in several different bundles. “Creative Suite Design Standard” is a good fit for most Landscape Architecture students. It includes InDesign, Acrobat, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Other bundles are available) 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.) • Autodesk AutoCAD 2012 or later Autodesk AutoCAD for Mac is available, but may not have all the features of AutoCAD for Windows. |
|
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