NON-DESIGN STUDENTS
Dell Direct Purchase Program
The School of Architecture Technology staff is recommending the Dell Mobile Precision 5530 for non-design students.
- Dell Mobile Precision 5530 – This is the recommended system for most non-design students. Non-design students with strong digital technologies skills and interests may want to consider upgrading to the basic or advance design student offering.
DESIGN STUDENTS
Dell Direct Purchase Program
The School of Architecture Technology staff is recommending the Dell Mobile Precision 5530 or Dell Mobile Precision 7530 for all design students.
- Dell Mobile Precision 5530 – Basic This is the recommended system for most design students.
- Dell Mobile Precision 7530 – Advanced (VR Ready) This is the recommended system for students who are interested in using advanced and emerging digital technologies in the course of their studies, including: advanced rendering, real-time visualization and simulation, virtual and augmented reality, advanced scripting and programming, and/or advanced building information modeling.
To visit Dell's student purchase portal and see more details, go to: http://dell.com/utsoa and then click on the "Architecture Students Shop Recommended Systems" link near the middle of the page.
Note (8/18/2017): Please verify that your system does NOT list a dual language French/English Keyboard - if it does please try back in a few days - Dell is working to resolve the issue.
When purchased through the link above, the Precision 5510 (spec sheet) is configured with/has these options available:
- Display: 15.6" UltraSharp™ FHD IPS (1920x1080) Wide View Anti-Glare LED-backlit screen
- Configurable option: 15.6" UltraSharp UHD IGZO 4k (3840x2160) Touch screen
- Note: We have experienced some issues with application scaling (particularly in the Adobe Suite) on the 4k screen wherein menus and icons become tiny and therefore hard to read/identify. Please contact us if you have questions before upgrading to this option.
- Configurable option: 15.6" UltraSharp UHD IGZO 4k (3840x2160) Touch screen
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-6820HQ (Quad Core 2.70GHz)
- Graphics card: NVIDIA® Quadro® M1000M w/ 2GB GDDR5
- Memory (RAM): 16GB, DDR4-2133MHz SDRAM in one slot (DIMM)
- Configurable option: 32GB, DDR4-2133MHz SDRAM in two slots (DIMMS)
- Note: With the standard RAM configuration only using one slot, it could be expanded later - up to the laptop's maximum of 32GB.
- Storage: 256GB M.2 solid state drive
- Configurable option: 512GB M.2 solid state drive
- Note: While it is possible to upgrade this later, the existing drive would need to be removed and the new blank one installed, which would require a full OS install plus all software and a data backup/restore. This is very time-consuming and can be very frustrating for those unfamiliar with the process, therefore our recommendation is purchase the largest drive you can afford at the initial laptop purchase.
- Wi-fi and Bluetooth: Intel® Dual-Band Wireless-AC 8260 Wi-Fi + BlueTooth 4.1 Wireless Card
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit, English, French, Spanish
- Note: We have had success using Windows 10 with the software required by SOA's courses and are confident recommending it to our students. If you are not ready to start using Windows 10 and want to install an earlier version, it will require that you purchase a new copy of the version you want to use, erase the drive, and install Windows and all the software. Like replacing the drive, is very time-consuming and can be very frustrating for those unfamiliar with the process. Please also be aware that Windows 7 is the oldest version that is compatible with the software taught at SOA and our 'next best' recommendation is Windows 8.1 (not version 8).
- Note: We have had success using Windows 10 with the software required by SOA's courses and are confident recommending it to our students. If you are not ready to start using Windows 10 and want to install an earlier version, it will require that you purchase a new copy of the version you want to use, erase the drive, and install Windows and all the software. Like replacing the drive, is very time-consuming and can be very frustrating for those unfamiliar with the process. Please also be aware that Windows 7 is the oldest version that is compatible with the software taught at SOA and our 'next best' recommendation is Windows 8.1 (not version 8).
- Weight: 3.93 lbs
- Warranty (non-accidental coverage): 3 Year Hardware Service with Onsite/In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis
- Configurable options: 4 years, 5 years
- Configurable options: 4 years, 5 years
- Accidental damage: 3 Years Accidental Damage Service
- Configurable options: 4 years, 5 years
- Configurable options: 4 years, 5 years
Other options available through the Campus Computer Store.
Although the school uses primarily Dell hardware, we do not endorse Dell exclusively and in addition to the Precision 5510, we have identified some appropriate laptops from other manufacturers that are available through the Campus Computer Store.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P50 is Autodesk certified. It is a 15.6” laptop weighing 5.6 lbs.
The HP ZBook Studio G3 (15.6” screen, 4.4 lbs.) is also Autodesk certified.
