DRAFT LA Department Computer Recommendation

While we remain committed to maintaining the highest quality computer lab for teaching new technologies and their integration into design, the LA Department is increasingly finding students using their own machines as a way of avoiding the waits, working at the drafting table instead of the lab, and pushing the envelope with customizations and Open Source exploration. Students keep asking, "What should I buy?" So here is a stab at the answer, posted here hoping for additional comments and prodding.


As of today, 1/15/07, this is still a DRAFT document and only a recommendation or set of guidelines.

This is NOT a requirement but a strongly encouraged set of guidelines for laptops that will be most helpful in the design studio setting. Every feature (memory, speed, etc.) that you cut back on will probably shorten the time that the machine is useful. On the other hand, a slightly slower or older machine can still be more useful than waiting for the shared machines in the lab.

Ideally, this would be a great machine right now. If you find a deal you might adjust it some, but just be aware of the tradeoffs.

Hardware:

CPU Processor: Intel-compatible (Pentium, AMD): 2 GHz or higher

RAM: 3-4 GB (one of the most important issues for LA students)

Hard Drive: 100 GB or more strongly encouraged (160GB @7200 rpm)

Monitor: 14" or larger - Display that supports 32-bit color at 1280x1024 pixels

Video Adapter: 256 MB VRAM or more

High resolution graphics adapter w/ 256 MB video RAM , support for Open GL 1.5 or higher recommended

OS: Windows XP Professional

Sound Card: 100% Windows compliant sound card

CD/DVD: CD-RW/DVD-ROM or CD-RW/DVD-R

Wireless Card: IEEE 802.11b/g/n compatible (Blake Hall will primarily be an N-band wireless zone)

USB flash drive, (for file transfers), at least 1GB recommended

Ethernet Adapter: Built-in or Xircom, 3Com Megahertz or Netgear brand (RJ-45)

Warranty Service: minimum 3-year onsite parts and labor

Recommedned Software:

Microsoft Office 2007
Autocad 2006/2007 Student

Adobe Creative Suite 3 (The Creative Suites come in several different bundles. Rutgers has a negotiated rate for one under $400 that is a good set for students.)

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Due to the graphic-intensive nature of the landscape architecture coursework and the competitive cost of computers, it is advisable for students to purchase a laptop with the fastest processor, the most RAM, and the largest hard drive you can afford. In general, the best balance between performance and price is found in a computer with a processor that is one step below the fastest available processor.

Before you purchase your personal computer for school, you may want to look over the general advice that Rutgers offers for students considering a laptop purchase: http://www.nbcs.rutgers.edu/newcomputers.php

(A special thanks to other programs like Mississippi State, Cornell, NC State, which have already posted their requirements or recommendations online. These were helpful in starting our recommendations and may help you find other useful links.)