Computer Requirements
The School of Architecture requires that you purchase a MacBook Pro with the following minimum specifications. By subscribing to this program we can ensure that everyone will be using the same versions of software, on the same platforms, and perhaps of greatest interest to you and your family budget, the package will be significantly cheaper than if purchased elsewhere. The MacBook Pro is an extremely versatile machine and will provide years of service.
Anti-Virus Software
Mac laptops are safe from virus and other malicious activity. The School of Architecture recommends that you do not install any anti-virus applications on an Apple OS X machine. They have proven to interfere with the operation of the OS X system.
Laptop configuration consists of the at least the following:
Macbook Pro Minimum Specifications
To purchase these laptops through Northeastern, please visit MyNEU, and click on the link to the Northeastern Apple Store. Once there, the laptops are found under the Recommended Systems to the right of the page. You may also want to enroll in AppleCare, which covers repairs on the machine for a period of three years.
If you have questions regarding the purchase of these laptops, please contact Guy Tunnicliffe via e-mail.
Software Requirements
The School of Architecture is committed to using software that widely used in the architecture industry, and freely available for student use. The Adobe CS package allows students to manipulate graphics, transform images and prepare projects for presentations. As we will be running Autocad through a Windows environment, students will also need to purchase Parallels (which allows multiple operating systems to exist on a single platform) and a Windows installation.
All installations will take place the first week of the Fall semester. Students should come to their first studio class with the following:
Adobe Creative Suite and Parallels
- Students should purchase the Adobe Creative Suite Design Standard Edition for Mac, and the Parallels Desktop for Mac.
- You can purchase a student-priced versoin of Windows Vista here.
Additional Software
The school has identified several applications that are in use in the profession to teach to our students. Many of these titles are in the process of being updated, and thus all links to free editions of software will be provided at the beginning of the semester, but a list of these applications follows:
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