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Notebook Computer (Laptop) Specifications

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During student orientation, students will be divided into two groups. One group will take the computer class in the fall semester, and one in the spring semester.
For enrollment in the fall 2007 semester, first-year students who will be taking the computer class are required to have a laptop computer.
Students taking a computer class in the spring will not be required to have a computer until the beginning of the spring 2008 semester.

A copy of these requirements may also be picked up in room 1006 of the Architecture building.

These recommendations are designed to provide you with the basis for purchasing a computer that will be powerful enough to run the latest CAD, imaging, and 3D modeling software, and to be upgradable in order to last for the duration of the academic program.

Minimum specifications for this computer are as follows:

Notebook Computer (Laptop) Specifications -Low-Cost System

A laptop with these specifications meets our computer requirement.

  • Processor - Intel Core Duo 1.66GHz with 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
  • System Memory - 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM1
  • Hard Drive - 100GB
  • Video Card - 256MB Nvidia Quadro NVS2
  • Floppy Drive - None3
  • 8x DVD+/-RW Drive
  • Network Card - Integrated 10/100 Network Card 802.11 b/g WLAN network
  • Operating System - Microsoft Windows™ XP Professional4 or Vista Business or Ultimate5 32-bit6 edition
1Most laptop computers have two RAM slots available. For this configuration it is recommended that you purchase a single 2GB memory card, which would leave room for an additional memory card later. Note that 32-bit versions of Windows can only see the first 3GB of RAM. 2It is important to choose a powerful 3D-capable video card from the beginning. Unlike desktop computers, laptop computers do not allow the addition of new video hardware. Video cards from manufacturers such as Intel or Sis do not even have the capabilities to run software that is taught in the entry-level studios. Please choose a computer that contains the recommended brand of video card. 3Suggested removable media are USB thumb drives, and CDRs and writable DVDs. 4Windows Media Center and Windows XP Home Edition are consumer-class operating systems and lack the features necessary to connect to a campus network for printing and posting of files. If you purchase a computer with Windows Media Center it is recommended that you erase the operating system and install Windows XP Professional instead. The software is available for download through the university site-license. More information is available here. 5Editions other than Business and Ultimate are intended for home users only, and by design lack the features necessary to participate on a corporate or campus network. 664-bit editions haven't been tested with our campus network, software, or print bureau. Unless you have a compelling reason to use 64-bit Windows, we recommend you use the 32-bit version of Windows Vista at this time.

The following configuration is recommended for those students who intend to focus on 3D modeling, animation, and design.

Notebook Computer (Laptop) Specifications -High-Performance System

  • Processor - Intel Pentium M 2GHz with 2MB Cache 533MHz FSB
  • System Memory - 2GB Dual Chanel DDR2 SDRAM1
  • Hard Drive - 100GB
  • Video Card - 256MB NVidia Quadro FX Go14002
  • Floppy Drive - None3
  • 8x DVD+/-RW Drive
  • Network Card - Integrated 10/100 Network Card
  • 802.11 b/g WLAN network
  • Operating System - Microsoft Windows™ XP Professional4 or Vista Business or Ultimate5 32-bit6 edition
1Most laptop computers have two RAM slots available. For this configuration it is recommended that you purchase a single 2GB memory card, which would leave room for an additional memory card later. Note that 32-bit versions of Windows can only see the first 3GB of RAM. 2It is important to choose a powerful 3D-capable video card from the beginning. Unlike desktop computers, laptop computers do not allow the addition of new video hardware. Video cards from manufacturers such as Intel or Sis do not even have the capabilities to run software that is taught in the entry-level studios. Please choose a computer that contains the recommended brand of video card. 3Suggested removable media are USB thumb drives, and CDRs and writable DVDs. 4Windows Media Center and Windows Home Edition are consumer-class operating systems and lack the features necessary to connect to a campus network for printing and posting of files. If you purchase a computer with Windows Media Center it is recommended that you erase the operating system and install Windows XP Professional instead. The software is available for download through the university site-license. More information is available here. 5Editions other than Business and Ultimate are intended for home users only, and by design lack the features necessary to participate on a corporate or campus network. 664-bit editions haven't been tested with our campus network, software, or print bureau. Unless you have a compelling reason to use 64-bit Windows, we recommend you use the 32-bit version of Windows Vista at this time.

Financial Aid Application for purchasing a laptop.

Discounted laptops for TTU College of Architecture Students

Apple Macintosh computers

Many students have asked how our computer policy pertains to Apple Macintosh® computers Due to the additional expense and the fact that Microsoft Windows is necessary to run some of the essential software used in our program, the College recommends that students not purchase an Apple computer at this time. Read the overview of issues to consider before deciding whether to purchase an Apple computer for use in our program.

Software available to students for free or low cost

AutoCad short courses to meet pre-requisite for 2353 Digital Media I

There is no longer a restriction on what classes freshman can sign up for so they can pick any section, Sophomore or Freshman.

Sign up online at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/outreach/Heading.asp?heading_id=427

Make sure you select a class that is occurring the week of sept 4th.

If you have questions you can contact Corrie Rucker at the following number 806.742.7200 Ext. 251

Assistance with computer problems