SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

2007 - 2008 CAA+D

Minimum Computer

Requirement

1st Year Architecture Students – Are NOT required to purchase a computer.

2nd Year Architecture Students – MUST purchase a computer following these requirements by 30 October 2007, and have it properly setup on the network by 1 December 2007.

2nd Year Incoming Interior Design Students - MUST purchase a computer following these requirements and have it properly setup on the network by 1 August 2007.

3rd, 4th, and 5th Year Students – We recommend upgrading the Operating System and RAM to these specifications. If an upper year student wishes to purchase a new laptop, they should follow these requirements.

• Dell INSPIRON, Dell LATITUDE, or Dell Precision Mobile Workstation.
• Intel Core 2 Duo – 1.6 GHz Processor, minimum (Celeron not recommended)
• 1 GB RAM; (2 GB recommended, consider upgrade ability, the more RAM, the better)
• 128 Mb AGP Video Controller, minimum, 256 or 512 recommended (again, the bigger, the better)
• 80 Gb or larger internal hard disk.
• CDRW/DVD combo drive. DVD+-RW optional.
• 10/100 Ethernet connection, and 56k modem (these are now built-in to most laptops)
• Color Inkjet printer (Dell, HP, Epson, and Lexmark are all good)
• A digital camera with a minimum of three megapixel resolution.
• Purchase a 3-year or 4-year parts and labor warranty with 24-hour service and next business day on-site service.
• Check with your homeowner's insurance policy and verify coverage. Purchase a separate policy for your computer if necessary. CAA+D is not responsible for students’ personal computers! Machines do get stolen and/or damaged.

Software Requirements

• All Students - Windows XP Professional Note: The Home, Basic, and Media Center Editions will NOT WORK on our network)
  MSU ITS does not recommend the purchase of Windows Vista at this time. "Everyone should be aware that there are compatibility issues between Vista and some major systems in use at MSU." See http://www.its.msstate.edu/Information/vista.php.
  
• All Students - Microsoft Office, and Adobe CS2 or CS3 Design Standard or Premium (Includes Illustrator, PhotoShop, InDesign, and Acrobat).  This software can be purchased at student discounts at www.academicsuperstore.com or www.journeyed.com.
• Interior Design – (IN ADDITION TO ABOVE REQUIREMENTS) AutoCAD 2007 (not AutoCAD LT), and Autodesk Revit. These are available FREE to students. See http://students2.autodesk.com/?lbon=1
  

Each student is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of his/her own computer. The CAA+D does not offer hardware or maintenance support for your personal property.

Computers that do not meet

this specification will not

be supported by caad-its.

Other Options to Consider…

• A carrying case or laptop backpack..
• An external mouse and/or keyboard (many students like the wireless combo)
• An InkJet printer that will print up to 11x17 (many assignments are due on 11x17 format)
• A USB Flash drive
• An extra battery
• An external hard drive (for data backups and extra storage space).
• A cable lock kit (for desktop use

Why limit the computer we can buy?

The CAA+D and MSU continue to experience reduced funding for computer support. Limiting the type of computer used in coursework creates fewer networking problems and allows students to help each other in managing their computers.

Why Dell?

The CAA+D server system is built around Dell products, and Dell continues to provide exceptional service for their customers. The University has agreements and commitments with Dell for premier support. By working exclusively with Dell, we are able to leverage price reductions and build better technology support for all of the computer users at The CAA+D.
Also, Dell offers three and four-year, next-business-day, on-site warranty service. Many other computer manufacturers require that you send the computer back to them for warranty repairs. Nearly every computer requires some kind of service sooner or later. When the computer is required for your coursework, minimizing the amount of downtime is essential. Dell’s next-business-day, on-site service means that they come to you to service your computer. It helps insure that if something does go wrong, you can be back up and running by the end of the next business day.

What’s the Difference between Inspiron, Latitude, and Precision Mobile Workstation?

Quite simply Inspiron, Latitude, and Precision Mobile Workstation are Good, Better, and Best.

Dell LATITUDE and Precision Mobile Workstation are "legacy" computers. That is, Dell will continue to build upgradeable parts for the Latitude in the future. Dell tests their legacy systems heavily before rolling them out. Legacy systems tend to change less often. The Precision Mobile Workstation is the laptop version of Dell’s high-end Precision Workstation series. The computers offer the fastest processors, the greatest RAM capacity, and the most powerful video configurations.
Dell INSPIRON is not a legacy computer. It will be upgradeable in memory, but other parts for it may or may not be built by Dell in the future. Non-legacy systems tend to offer the latest and greatest technologies as soon as they are available. Non-Legacy systems tend to change models more often, but are usually less expensive initially.

Our standard faculty Laptop is the Latitude 820 or 830.

After owning their computer for three years or more, most CAA+D students have found that upgrading is necessary, or they decide to purchase a new computer. Choose a model based upon your current and anticipated financial situation.