Department of Architecture

Laptop Computer Purchase Program & System Requirements

Laptop Computer Ownership Requirements

All upper-division students majoring in Architecture are required to own a laptop computer that meets minimum systems specifications, including software required for courses in our program. Minimum system specifications for your laptop are described below.

All lower-division students majoring in Architecture also are strongly advised to purchase one of these recommended laptop systems. The sooner you make a commitment to your own system, the sooner the advantages of ownership will impact your ability to perform competitively and successfully in your studies.

Purchasing Your Laptop System

Your purchase of a laptop through this Laptop Computer Purchase Program may be eligible for an extension of any student loans you receive through the PSU Financial Aid Office. Please contact the PSU Financial Aid Office at 503.725.3461, or toll-free at 800.547.8887 (http://www.pdx.edu/finaid). The form required to extend your student loan is available online from the PSU Architecture Department web site and from the Architecture office in Shattuck Hall.

Working in Our Classrooms and Studios

Bringing your own system to class provides a number of critical advantages, especially your ability to:

• Review digital handouts and make notes during lectures.
  
• Obtain resources from our course reserves.
  
• Complete tutorials and assignments in specific software and digital workflows.
  
• Research and develop projects during or outside class time.
  
• Collaborate with peers on group projects using chat and video conferencing.
  
• Deliver work on our network during or outside class time.
  

Shattuck 107 hosts a number of Architecture courses, especially those that provide specific instruction in software and digital workflow. In this classroom, laptops can be connected to our campus network through either a wired or wireless connection, providing potential access to network services such as printing, web, email, messaging and video conferencing.

Architecture studios will meet in rooms equipped with both wired and wireless network connections. Laser and large-format printing services will be available at a central location in Shattuck Hall.

Warrenties and Guarantees

We recommend all systems include extended warranty coverage to protect your investment and insure reliable warranty service. For hardware and software support, please consult your product manufacturer. For instructions and advice on configuring your system to work efficiently in the PSU facilities, please contact the PSU Help Desk at 503.725.HELP.

Choosing Your Computer Platform

While the Department of Architecture expects that its students choose to work on the computer platform most comfortable to them, the choice between a Macintosh or a Windows PC system is significant in many ways. Autodesk AudoCAD Architecture, Autodesk Revit Architecture and Robert McNeel Rhino 4.0 are currently not available for Macintosh OS X. However, Macintosh laptop systems are capable of running both Mac OS X and Windows operating systems, with these advantages:

• If you are a Windows user, there still is a strong argument for using an Apple Macintosh computer because it allows you to work on both platforms, thus extending the range of software you can use and providing the flexibility to work compatibly at all times with instructors, employers, labs and colleagues. A Macintosh, therefore, provides the most cost-effective solution for developing cross-platform skills that are highly valued by your future employers.
  
• Running Windows on a Macintosh provides an additional layer of system safety and security because it is installed on a disk partition, with these advantages:
  
  • Boot the system completely in Mac OS X or in Windows, or run both platforms simultaneously.
    
  • Seamless movement between applications and transfer of data between platforms.
    
  • Ability to navigate the web and download files in Mac OS X to protect Windows from viruses.
    
  • Ability to boot from Mac OS X to restore a clean Windows installation from an external backup in case Windows fails.
    
• Mac OS X includes integrated peer-to-peer networking (iChat) with advanced yet simple-to-use capability to chat and video conference with colleagues and friends, including the ability to share files and screens online.
  
• Mac OS X provides automated backup software that is so easy to use that it insures you never lose valuable work.
  
• Repeated comparitive studies show Macintosh computers typically have lower overall costs of ownership, based on the original cost of a system plus ongoing costs for support, maintenance, upgrades, repair, compatibility and longevity.
  
• In 2007, PC World awarded the MacBook Pro the honor of being the fastest laptop for running Windows Vista. 

There are two methods for running Windows on your Macintosh:

• Reboot your computer into Windows using your Apple's BootCamp, which is included in Mac OS X.
  
• Use virtualization software such as Parallels or VM Ware Fusion, which allows you to run Mac OS X and Windows simultaneously while switching among OS and all your applications.
  

To run Windows on your Macintosh, you will need to purchase and install a copy of Microsoft Windows XP. Extra cost: $199.

Minimum System Specifications

All laptop systems must meet the following minimum specifications:

• 2.0 Ghz processor
• A display with 1280x800 pixel resolution
• 2GB system memory (RAM)
• 120GB hard drive
• Dedicated video processor with 128MB video memory
• Optical drive supporting CD-R/RW and DVD+/-RW formats
• Wireless networking based on 802.11g or 802.11n standards
• Autodesk AutoCAD 2009 Student Version (13-month term)
• Google SketchUp Pro 7
• Robert McNeel Rhino 4.0 for Windows
• Adobe Creative Suite Design Standard CS5 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Professional and Bridge)
• Microsoft Office or Apple iWork. 

Purchasing Software

AutoDesk AutoCAD 2009:

Join the AutoDesk Architecture & Design Student Engineering & Design Community on AutoDesk.com, then download a free version of the software with a 13-month license that incorporates all functionality of a professional license, but prints an AutoDesk banner around the edges of your document.

Adobe Creative Suite 5:

Adobe Creative Suite Design Standard CS5 is the minimum requirement set by the Department of Architecture. Adobe CS5 software can be purchased from Techead at: http://www.techead.org.

Google SketchUp Pro 7:

Information about purchasing the educational version of Google SketchUp Pro 7 can be found at:
http://sketchup.google.com/industries/edu/students.html

Rhino 4.0:

Robert McNeel Rhino 4.0 For Windows is an excellent modeler, but you could also consider a Rhino bundle that includes additional rendering and animation tools. Rhino may be purchased by itself or bundled with Flamingo, Penguin and Bongo. Rhino can be purchased with an educational discount from 3DTechnics at: http://www.3dtechnics.com.
Note for Macintosh Users:
If you choose a Macintosh, you will need to run Microsoft Windows for some of your software. In this case, you should purchase Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit).

Frequently Asked Questions

I already have a desktop computer at home. Do I still need to purchase a laptop computer?
In order to participate fully in courses that meet in our classrooms, you will need a laptop. If your current desktop computer is an older model, perhaps you should consider selling it or using it as an auxiliary system.
I just bought a new laptop computer, but it doesn't meet the minimum requirements. What do I do?
The most typical upgrade is to increase the amount of RAM to facilitate work on larger files and to kee multiple applications running. A large hard drive also may be an important upgrade. Upgrading the system processor (CPU), the video system, or display of your laptop is usually not possible. However, additional RAM and a larger hard drive can often compensate for a slower or less capable system. The system could still be acceptable in normal classroom use.
Should I buy a printer?
Purchasing and using your own printer is highly recommended for these reasons:

• You can print any time without worrying whether our dpeartment's printers are available, working well or in demand by other users. 
• You can choose exactly the type of printer that is best for your own work.
  
• You control the costs of printing yourself, rather than relying on the department to determine the price of your prints.
  
• You can still use campus computer labs to print through the campus quota system for black-and-white prints and the Architecture Lab's print credit system for color prints. As a PSU computer lab user you have a 500-sheet-per-term quota for black-and-white laster prints, and once you exceed your quota during a term you are automatically charged an additional $25 for a new 500-sheet quota. Fees for some Architecture courses provide a portion of your print credits in Architecture labs, but additional print credits for color prints made on your lab printers must be purchased from PSU cashier. 

Can I borrow a computer from PSU?
No, the campus ddoes not have a computer-lending program.
When should I get my computer?
It is your responsibility to ensure you have access to a computer by your first upper-division term. The campus recommends you arrange this well before the Fall Term.
How long will this computer last me?
It is difficult to say how long a computer will last, mostly because you can tax the capabilities of your computer system more and more as you integrate it into your daily work. The recommended configurations are designed to last for a four-year stay on campus or to accompany you into your chosen profession after you complete your degree program. If in the future you expect to upgrade to the latest software or are going to use your computer for applications beyond its current capability, you may need to upgrade your hardware more frequently.
Can I get financial aid to help purchase a computer?
Eligible financial aid recipients may receive an increase in the amount of their loan package that will help with a computer purchase. For more details, please contact the PSU Financial Aid Office at 503.725.3461 or toll-free at 800.547.8887 (http://www.pdx.edu/finaid).
What's going to happen to the campus computer labs?
The Department of Architecture plans to maintain a small number of PC and Macintosh computers for scanning and printing services in the Digital Lab, located in Shattuck Hall 107. PSU will continue to manage, maintain and upgrade its General Access computer labs.
I have a laptop computer; where can I use it on campus?
There are many available network access ports in classrooms and labs in every building on campus. If you have a network card, there are wireless access points providing wireless access from most locations on campus. Please contact our OIT Help Desk for instructions on how to connect to our campus network.
Where can I find technical services and software support on campus?
Our OIT User Support Services (USS) Help Desk is the central campus access point to help you with common computer problems or questions. Located in the basement of Smith Center, Room 18, our Help Desk provides consulting in person, over the phone at 503.725.HELP and by email (help@pdx.edu). Our Help Desk web site (www.uss.pdx.edu/) provides numerous articles tha answer your questions, show you how to install and configure your computer and assist you in troubleshooting problems. If you experience computer problems, this is the best place on campus to begin.
Does the campus have printer repair services?
Not at this time.
How can I find out about all the campus computing resources available to students at PSU?
Go to the Help Desk in Smith Center, Room 18, or visit http://www.uss.pdx.edu online.
Are there computer labs on campus?
In addition to the Department of Architecture facilities (see Working in Our Labs and Classrooms), there are several General Access Labs:

• Branford Price Millar Library Lab 115: 503.725.8425
• Broadway Housing Building Lab Room 226: 503.725.2940
• Neuberger Hall Room 96: 503.725.3288