Suggested LA Computer Configuration

Computers are an integral part of higher education and professional practice in landscape architecture and are required of all incoming University of Illinois Landscape Architecture Department students for the 2008-2009 school year. Purchase is highly recommended for all other students already in the program before that time. Students in the Landscape Architecture program use computers for many tasks, from simple email communications to advanced modeling.

The Department has developed the following guidelines to help new and continuing students make informed purchase decisions on hardware and software that will meet the specialized needs of current landscape architectural computing and will be viable several years into the future.

Notebook or Desktop? The Department strongly recommends purchasing a notebook computer with wired ethernet as well as wireless networking capability. A notebook computer will allow the student the flexibility to work in the Landscape Architecture studios, their homes or dorms, many other campus wireless locations and numerous local coffee shops and other businesses. Students may have access to faster wired ethernet connections in LA’s studios, campus dorms, and some other locations, but wireless networking can provide much more flexibility and connectivity for the student both on-campus and off.

Macintosh, Windows, or something else? Which brand? We make no recommendations regarding a computer brand. Many of our typical applications (Microsoft Office and Adobe products) are available for either Windows or Macintosh operating systems. Some applications such as the AutoDesk products (AutoCAD, VIZ, etc.) and the ESRI GIS products are not available for use on the Mac operating system but if a student would prefer a Mac, the newer Intel-based Macs can be run with multiple operating systems (Mac OSX and Windows XP) using products such as Parallels or Bootcamp. All our required applications can be run on computers with Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista (32-bit). For a computer with a different operating system, students should look carefully through the list of required and suggested software and seek advice from a qualified IT professional.

Suggested computer hardware configuration for a 2008 incoming student:

HARDWARE FEATURES	SIZE/CONFIGURATION MINIMUM	NOTES
Processor speed	2.0 Ghz or faster	A faster processor would be better. Upgrade to a faster processor if it is relatively inexpensive or if money is not an issue.
Processor type	Varies	A dual processor would be a good choice because graphics applications often run faster. Try to pick a well-known standard for the processor.
System Memory (RAM)	2.0 GB (Intel Core Macs expected to run both Mac OS and Windows should have more.)	Try to configure any memory in such a way that there are open slots for future RAM upgrades. (Ex: if you have a choice between 2 GB RAM in 1 or 2 DIMMs, select 1 and leave 1 slot open.)
Hard drive	120 GB	Consider a larger size. Occasionally you can increase your hard drive size for very little additional money. If your budget allows, the faster 7200rpm drives would be preferred.
Graphics card	128 MB (must be able to handle high resolution graphics on the monitor size you choose)	256 MB would be better if you plan to have a large external monitor or plan to work with any type of video. If you choose to use only an on-board graphics card (without its own memory), graphics processes will be sharing system memory with the operating system. In that case consider getting more system RAM.
Monitor	Laptop 15” or desktop 17” minimum	Choose one with good resolution, clarity, and fast refresh speed. (The graphics card will affect maximum possible resolution.) The monitor should display fine CAD lines clearly with a minimum amount of eyestrain. A flat panel (LCD) monitor (not just “flat screen”) will reduce eyestrain and require less space. We have brightly lit studios with many windows. Consider an anti-glare rather than glossy surface.
Ethernet	10/100 mbps ethernet card and ethernet cable (usually Cat 5 or 6) as required by the network in each building	Since ethernet speeds continue to go up on this campus, consider a card that supports 10/100/1000 mbps. If you plan to plug your own computer into the studio ethernet jacks, Mumford Hall currently requires a Category 6 ethernet cable and Buell Hall requires a Category 5 cable. Check with the network administrators of other buildings (like your residence hall or apartment) for the type of cable needed there.
Wireless	802.11bg or better	Nearly all campus wireless locations currently support the 802.11b wireless networking standard. Some campus locations and internet cafes may also support 802.11g. You will have the most flexibility with a card that supports 802.11a, b, g and possibly even n.
Modem	Optional
Optical drive (CD and DVD)	CD and DVD reader/writer	There are several DVD formats. To write DVDs that can be read in most other DVD players, select a DVD+/-RW device (can write DVD– or DVD+ formats as well as CDs and rewritable optical disks). Other writers may be able to write to other newer formats like DL (dual layer), HD (high definition), BD (Blu-ray), and AOD (Advanced Optical Disc).
Portable USB memory key or flash drive	2 GB or larger (optional, but highly recommended)	Very useful for backing up files or transferring them to another computer. Many students also have small portable USB hard drives (80GB or larger) that they carry with them.

Following is a list of required or recommended software. Different courses (at different points in the curriculum) will require different applications and many of the software titles are available at a discount from campus sources once you are a student. Consider phasing in your software purchases as needed. Discounted software is available to current students from two campus stores: “Webstore” at http://webstore.cites.uiuc.edu and “Computer Store” at http://www.cstores.uiuc.edu/center/center.html. The campus bookstores also carry some software at student discount prices. The following list of applications is subject to change based on application version updates, changes in the academic environment, and changes in the profession. Prices are current as of 1/2008, but are vendor-driven and subject to change.

SOFTWARE	REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS	NOTES
Operating system	Current operating system for your computer with most recent service packs and updates/patches installed—should be configured to automatically run manufacturer updates and patches weekly or daily	For both Windows XP and Vista, avoid the most basic “home” versions. They may make it harder to connect to servers and print services. Also avoid the 64-bit versions of the operating systems. Many applications and drivers are still not available for the combination of a 64-bit and Vista. Choose the 32-bit versions.
Virus protection	Virusscan, Virex, or Norton, for example with most recent virus definitions installed—should be configured to automatically update virus definitions daily	All current students may download the campus virus protection software (currently Virusscan) for free from the campus Webstore. Virus protection is mandatory if you plan to use the campus network.
Office and presentation tools	Microsoft Office 2007 (including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint)	Office 2007 Enterprise is available from the campus Webstore at the student price of $80.00.
Web browser	Internet Explorer or other web browser (Firefox recommended for Mac)	Operating systems usually include a browser application. Other browsers are often available as free downloads. Currently most web sites are designed for best viewing by Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
PDF reader	Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)	Acrobat Reader allows the user to read but not write .pdf files. It is available free from Adobe (http://www.adobe.com). Adobe Acrobat Pro allows the user to write and edit .pdf files. Pro is available for a small fee for the single application or within one of the Adobe bundles from the campus Webstore.
Graphic and desktop publishing software	Adobe version CS3 (or later) versions of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro	Each of these applications is used frequently in the LA program. Webstore offers Adobe application bundles at student discounted prices. Adobe Design Standard CS3 ($199 including InDesign, Acrobat 8 Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash Pro and other applications) and Adobe Design Premium ($299 including the Standard applications plus Dreamweaver) are available through the Webstore. The single software titles are also available at a discount. A maintenance agreement providing free upgrades is available for an additional fee.
3D CAD and rendering	Google SketchUp and AutoDesk AutoCAD and VIZ	SketchUp is available to students for $49 for a timed 1-year license from the manufacturer’s website. An AutoDesk bundle including AutoCAD and VIZ is available from Webstore for $150 for a timed 1-year license (expiring in August). (Note that a “student” version of AutoDesk is not the same as the AutoDesk bundle described above. A student version of AutoCad will print a watermark image on every plot and print.)
Web authoring software	Optional	Landscape Architecture uses Adobe Dreamweaver. This is available within the Adobe Design Premium bundle described above or available individually from the campus Webstore at a significant discount.
GIS	ESRI ArcGIS	This is available (free or for a very minimal price) as a timed one-year license from the campus Webstore.
CD/DVD writing software		Should come with your CD/DVD writer
Writing assistants	Optional	Computer-based thesaurus and dictionary tools can be useful.
Image organizer or database	Optional	An application to help organize and manage large numbers of images. Most digital cameras come with an application like this.
Reference database tool	Optional	An application used to catalog, manage, and format large numbers of references. Primarily useful to graduate students. “Endnote,” one such product is available through Webstore.
Windows emulator for Macs	Optional	Products like “Parallels” allows Intel Core Macs to run a Windows operating system and Windows-based applications (like AutoCAD). Available through Webstore.

After agreeing to a set of rules related to system updates, virus protection, and software legalities, students may have access to studio or computer lab ethernet jacks for internet access from their personal computers. See the Department’s IT Manager, Marilou Hinrichs, about this after you arrive on campus. Wireless access (available in the atrium of Buell Hall, in the Mumford Hall studio, and in many other locations on campus) and wired access in other parts of campus (walk-up stations, residence halls, etc.) is available through the campus computer organization, CITES (Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services). The CITES web page (http://www.cites.uiuc.edu) and help desk at 1211 Digital Computing Laboratory (corner of Matthews and Springfield) are important resources for computing-related information on the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana campus.

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