(Updated April 2008)

The School of Architecture at North Carolina State University sees computers and digital media as powerful tools through which architectural ideas can be developed, presented, explored and evaluated. As such, the computer and its associated technology broaden the repertoire of media available to the designer. The Architecture faculty believes that students should be proficient in the use of all available media, from conventional pencil and paper to virtual reality, and should be able to knowingly switch from one mode of design work to another with ease.

Architecture students are not required to buy a computer until near the end of Fall semester in their sophomore year. Track 3 students are required to buy late in the Fall semester of their first year. Architecture students are introduced to computers as design tools in the Fall Semester of their sophomore year of the undergraduate (BEDA) curriculum, or first semester of the graduate program. Before that, students are introduced to conventional design tools in Design Fundamentals studios taken in the freshman year of the undergraduate curriculum or in the first semester of the Track Three graduate program. This practice emphasizes that students should learn conventional skills first, and then add the capabilities fostered by cutting-edge design techniques. It also impresses upon students that the two approaches are not alternatives, but complement each other.

Further, the Architecture faculty realizes that computers are as useful in design studios as they are in other learning environments (such as lecture and seminar courses, travel studies, and even at home). To be equally viable with traditional media in varied settings, the technology must be fully portable. Therefore, the School of Architecture requires that students purchase a laptop personal computer and associated software as listed below. Undergraduate students should have the computers at the beginning of the Fall Semester of their sophomore year. Graduate students should have their computer at the beginning of their first semester.

The Architecture faculty prefers not to base hardware specifications on a particular operating system, but on the capabilities that are needed to support the necessary software. Computers using Windows XP Professional operating system are preferred for the School of Architecture because of software requirements. Below are the minimum technical specifications for student computers in the School of Architecture.

Note: The use of Apple Boot Camp allows Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista, as well as many Windows applications to run on an Apple Macintosh computer. The cost of Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista and Windows-compatible software will be in addition to Macintosh-compatible software. Other options for running Windows applications on a Macintosh, using virtualization are available as well. We consider the dual-boot method a good option for students wanting to use both Macintosh and Windows software. More of our students are choosing to go this way. For a comparision of these options, see MacMall's Differences Between Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac, VMware Fusion and Apple Boot Camp 1.4. Students interested in running Windows on an Macintosh computer should speak with the College of Design Information Technology staff.

Each department in the College of Design has different computer requirements. Students should contact their departmental office if they have questions about specific hardware or software requirements.

The NC State Information Technology Division and the NCSU Bookstores have made arrangements with several computer vendors to offer special pricing to students. Students should compare these prices before making a final purchase, since these prices can offer a substantial savings. For more information see: Computer vendors with special pricing for NC State students or contact the NCSU Bookstores before making your final purchase.

Please read the College's Student Computing Requirements and Information page for general information.

For students purchasing new computers to bring to campus, we recommend that your computer meet or exceed the specifications below. Depending on your computing needs, a computer you purchase today may not meet your needs for your entire tenure at the College of Design. A computer with greater capability (processor speed, RAM, disk capacity) and expandability will be more likely to continue to run the software you require.

We strongly recommend that you purchase a business class computer, as opposed to a machine intended for home use. Many computers intended for home use are not meant to be networked via an ethernet adapter. Some do not have the capability for expandability.

This chart, adapted from the NC State University Information Technology Division website, provides minimum requirements for students purchasing new computers. Clicking on "Tell Me More" will provide detailed information about a component.

Questions?

For additional assistance, please contact the School of Architecture office at 919.515.8350 or send email to:design_help@ncsu.edu

Go back to the College's Student Computing Requirements and Information page for general information.