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
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Laptop is required (a desktop or monitor can be added later)
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A PC running Windows without virtualization
Screen
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Recommended screen size: 15 inches
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Screen resolution: Minimum FHD (2K), recommended QHD (2.5K) or above
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An additional external display is recommended
Graphic Card (GPU)
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Required discreet GPU (NVIDIA or AMD)
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NVIDIA ‘GeForce’ series – Min. NVIDIA RTX 3050-3060, recommended 3070 or above
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NVIDIA ‘A’ series – Min. NVIDIA RTX A2000, recommended A3000 or above
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AMD RADEON ‘RX’ series – Min. Radeon RX 5600M, recommended RX 5700M or above
RAM
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Minimum 16 gigabytes of RAM
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Recommended 32GB
Storage
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Minimum 500 gigabyte Solid State Drive (SSD)
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Recommended 1TB-2TB
CPU
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Intel or AMD Ryzen
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Any CPU required to run with the above specs will be OK
Mouse
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Required
WIFI
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Required
Webcam and Microphone
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Recommended, but not required