OIT Hardware Recommendations - Design Students

Pre-existing Hardware: As a general rule, we recommend postponing new hardware purchases until your current hardware breaks or cannot perform adequately.  Pre-existing hardware, or other hardware that does not explicitly meet the hardware specifications above, will be treated as being 'in compliance' so long as the hardware is successfully running all of the software required by the student’s courses and otherwise meets the other objectives of the program.
Specifications: The specific minimum and recommended hardware specifications for the next academic year will be updated annually on or before July 1.  The minimum requirements constitute a computer system with an anticipated lifespan for architectural design purposes of two to three years.  The recommended requirements constitute a computer system with an anticipated lifespan for architectural design purposes of five years.

1 - The most important recommendation for video cards is that they are on the list of Autodesk Certified Hardware for Revit. The card search can be found at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?id=18844534&siteID=123112
2 - Screen size is mostly about usage style, weight, portability, and eyesight. Smaller screens provide lower weight and higher portability while larger screens provide a larger desktop at the expense of weight and portability. 
Apple Hardware:  For those considering purchasing Apple hardware the following should be noted:
Since several applications used in the curriculum are only available on the Windows operating system, Apple users will be required to run Windows on their Apple hardware.
Apple's discreet video cards are not Autodesk certified.
Due to issues with using Boot Camp, we do not recommend Apple Hardware.  
We strongly discourage virtualization software like VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop for use with intense design software.
Students who are technically savvy and opt for Apple hardware with Boot Camp and Windows should anticipate investing additional time and energy in OS maintenance and application troubleshooting.Pre-existing Hardware: As a general rule, we recommend postponing new hardware purchases until your current hardware breaks or cannot perform adequately.  Pre-existing hardware, or other hardware that does not explicitly meet the hardware specifications above, will be treated as being 'in compliance' so long as the hardware is successfully running all of the software required by the student’s courses and otherwise meets the other objectives of the program.

Specifications: The specific minimum and recommended hardware specifications for the next academic year will be updated annually on or before July 1.  The minimum requirements constitute a computer system with an anticipated lifespan for architectural design purposes of two to three years.  The recommended requirements constitute a computer system with an anticipated lifespan for architectural design purposes of five years.
 
Table 1: Design Laptop Hardware Requirements for New Purchases (Fall 2013)
Hardware ComponentMinimumRecommended
Processor (iSeries Intel)i5 dual core or 
AMD equivalenti7 quad core or 
AMD equivalent
Memory8.0 GB16.0 GB with expansion space or 32 GB
Hard Drive250 GB 7200RPM256 GB SSD + Optional Data Drive
Video Card11 GB NVIDIA Quadro or 
AMD FirePro2GB or more
NVIDIA Quadro or AMD FirePro
Screen Size213 inch14-17 inch
Optical Media DriveDVD+/-RWDVD+/-RW
Networking (Wireless)802.11 a/g/n802.11 a/g/n
Networking (Wired)10/100 Ethernet10/100/1000 Ethernet
Peripheral ConnectivityUSB 2.0USB 3.0
Warranty3 year5 year + accidental damage
1 - The most important recommendation for video cards is that they are on the list of Autodesk Certified Hardware for Revit. The card search can be found at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?id=18844534&siteID=123112
2 - Screen size is mostly about usage style, weight, portability, and eyesight. Smaller screens provide lower weight and higher portability while larger screens provide a larger desktop at the expense of weight and portability. 
Apple Hardware:  For those considering purchasing Apple hardware the following should be noted:
Since several applications used in the curriculum are only available on the Windows operating system, Apple users will be required to run Windows on their Apple hardware.
Apple's discreet video cards are not Autodesk certified.
Due to issues with using Boot Camp, we do not recommend Apple Hardware.  
We strongly discourage virtualization software like VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop for use with intense design software.
Students who aretechnically savvy and opt for Apple hardware with Boot Camp and Windows should anticipate investing additional time and energy in OS maintenance and application troubleshooting. 
Pre-existing Hardware: As a general rule, we recommend postponing new hardware purchases until your current hardware breaks or cannot perform adequately.  Pre-existing hardware, or other hardware that does not explicitly meet the hardware specifications above, will be treated as being 'in compliance' so long as the hardware is successfully running all of the software required by the student’s courses and otherwise meets the other objectives of the program.

Specifications: The specific minimum and recommended hardware specifications for the next academic year will be updated annually on or before July 1.  The minimum requirements constitute a computer system with an anticipated lifespan for architectural design purposes of two to three years.  The recommended requirements constitute a computer system with an anticipated lifespan for architectural design purposes of five years.
 
Table 1: Design Laptop Hardware Requirements for New Purchases (Fall 2013)
Hardware ComponentMinimumRecommended
Processor (iSeries Intel)i5 dual core or 
AMD equivalenti7 quad core or 
AMD equivalent
Memory8.0 GB16.0 GB with expansion space or 32 GB
Hard Drive250 GB 7200RPM256 GB SSD + Optional Data Drive
Video Card11 GB NVIDIA Quadro or 
AMD FirePro2GB or more
NVIDIA Quadro or AMD FirePro
Screen Size213 inch14-17 inch
Optical Media DriveDVD+/-RWDVD+/-RW
Networking (Wireless)802.11 a/g/n802.11 a/g/n
Networking (Wired)10/100 Ethernet10/100/1000 Ethernet
Peripheral ConnectivityUSB 2.0USB 3.0
Warranty3 year5 year + accidental damage
1 - The most important recommendation for video cards is that they are on the list of Autodesk Certified Hardware for Revit. The card search can be found at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?id=18844534&siteID=123112
2 - Screen size is mostly about usage style, weight, portability, and eyesight. Smaller screens provide lower weight and higher portability while larger screens provide a larger desktop at the expense of weight and portability. 
Apple Hardware:  For those considering purchasing Apple hardware the following should be noted:
Since several applications used in the curriculum are only available on the Windows operating system, Apple users will be required to run Windows on their Apple hardware.
Apple's discreet video cards are not Autodesk certified.
Due to issues with using Boot Camp, we do not recommend Apple Hardware.  
We strongly discourage virtualization software like VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop for use with intense design software.
Students who are technically savvy and opt for Apple hardware with Boot Camp and Windows should anticipate investing additional time and energy in OS maintenance and application troubleshooting.