The School of Architecture & Environment promotes the use of Microsoft Windows-based computers in order to prepare students to work in industries that maintain predominantly Windows-based environments.
Much of the software used in Architecture, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture is Windows-centric. Though there are solutions for running Windows on Apple hardware, these solutions are non-standard and therefore are not well supported.
Likewise, students wishing to use desktop computers may also find themselves at a disadvantage, as Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture courses are extremely dynamic and challenging, and often require the flexibility provided by a laptop computer.
Computer
- Laptop is required (a desktop or monitor can be added later)
- A PC running Windows without virtualization
Screen
- Recommended screen size: 15 inches
- Screen resolution: Minimum FHD (2K), recommended QHD (2.5K) or above
- An additional external display is recommended
Graphic Card (GPU)
- Required discreet GPU (NVIDIA or AMD)
- NVIDIA ‘GeForce’ series – Min. NVIDIA RTX 3050-3060, recommended 3070 or above
- NVIDIA ‘A’ series – Min. NVIDIA RTX A2000, recommended A3000 or above
- AMD RADEON ‘RX’ series – Min. Radeon RX 5600M, recommended RX 5700M or above
RAM
- Minimum 16 gigabytes of RAM
- Recommended 32GB
Storage
- Minimum 500 gigabyte Solid State Drive (SSD)
- Recommended 1TB-2TB
CPU
- Intel or AMD Ryzen
- Any CPU required to run with the above specs will be OK
Mouse
- Required
WIFI
- Required
Webcam and Microphone
- Recommended, but not required