Updated April 24, 2008

Overview:
The Auburn University School of Architecture continues to be committed to providing advanced educational facilities and experiences for students in preparation for professional life, both inside and outside of traditional design and planning practices. It has been determined that a 1:1 ratio of student to computer must be realized in order to successfully meet this goal.

Believing that the individual is better placed than the academic organization to manage the increased financial commitment required to provide the level digital input technologies that the professional education demands. The decision has been made to require students to purchase Laptop computers upon entry to the Architecture and Landscape Architecture programs, along with a suite of software that coordinates with both studio and classroom instruction.

Simply stated, The School of Architecture has shifted its primary focus from Digital Input to that of Digital Output. While the school continues to provide network facilities, output devices (including plotting and CAM devices), and peripheral devices (scanners, cameras, etc.) located the shared computing labs, The School also provides enhanced work, presentation and collaboration environments for all of its users.

Hardware Requirements:
The School of Architecture practices a “Paradigmatic Approach” to the delivery of digital media. Rather than focusing on how a task is accomplished, we are more interested in why it is approached in a certain way. While sounding rather straight forward, this simple statement has potentially profound ramifications.

We run primarily a Windows environment, but most other Operating Systems, such as, Linux and Mac OS X, are welcome and will be treated the same as Windows based computers.
Access to network resources like network shares and printers will be available to all common Operating Systems. However, certain mainstream applications (such as AutoCad) are only available for the Windows operating system. Students that elect to use an operating system
other than windows will be responsible for providing and maintaining these alternative applications..

A minimum hardware spec for a PC with which you should be able to get 2~3 years of reliable service might include the following:

Intel or AMD single or dual core processor
with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz or higher

2gb of RAM, minimum
More is better, and even though this may be upgraded later, it usually demands that you throw away what the computer came with.

128mb video card
again, more is better. graphics acceleration is important in many of the modeling/rendering/image manipulation software that our profession demands.

15″ monitor
We draw a lot. The larger monitor coupled with fast video acceleration is great for all of the multi-palette applications that we use. That said, the new 17″ monitors may not be all that they are cracked up to be. They do not seem to be able to be pushed at higher resolutions yet (in the vertical direction), so they offer no distinct advantages over the smaller monitors that can.

80GB Hard Drive
You will fill it up, even if you do not listen to a lot of mp3s. Get one as large as you can afford.

B/G wireless card
All of the University HotSpots incorporate the “G” Standard, but there are still a few “B’s” out there. You want to get both in order to make sure that it can communicate with the widest variety of wireless networks out there. Internal is probably better, as you are sure that it will always be with your computer.

CD burner/DVD Burner
Still a great way to share and backup data.

Ports and Connectivity
fast Ethernet connection, firewire, at least two USB ports etc. is also a must.

Other Platforms
Many students and faculty use Apple computers running the Macintosh OS. Macintosh computers are compatible with The School’s Windows environment with only (at most) a few minor incompatibility problems. For instance, we know that currently the laser cutters and cnc router cannot be simply plugged into a Macintosh and be expected to work as it is configured. The reality is that more than likely NO machine (no matter its flavor) will be allowed to be plugged into these types of devices. They will instead have their own stand alone controllers that the user will sneaker-net into. While there are a few incompatibilities that you will have to work around, your Macintosh experience will most likely be a good one. Plus, with the new Intel Dual Core processors, you can set your Macintosh to boot both as a Mac as well as a PC (the added purchase of the WindowsXP or Vista operating system is required to do so).

Apple Macintosh Configuration
MacBook Pro Intel Dual Core Processor with a clock speed of 2.0ghz, 2gb RAM, 15″ monitor, 80gb hard drive, airport built in. All of the caveats for the PC spec above hold true for the Mac as well.

Software Suggestions
As with Hardware, the School will encourage Software Paradigms, not the use of specific programs. Suggested applications include:

CAD
AutoCAD
Microstation
VectorWorks
ArchiCad
IntelliCAD

3d Modelling
Rhino
FormZ
3d VIZ
SketchUp

Raster Image Manipulation
Photoshop
Fireworks

Electronic Publishing/Graphics
Freehand
Illustrator
InDesign

Web Design
Dreamweaver
Frontpage
Flash

Using the AU Bookstore or an online vendor students can get top-shelf software from each category for around $700. (ArchiCAD $0.00 (free to students), Rhino $200, Adobe Web Suite $500) taxes not included. Please note that the Adobe Web bundle includes both Adobe products such as Photoshop and Illustrator AND Macromedia products such as Dreamweaver and Flash.

Please visit http://cadc.auburn.edu/soa for a list of free and discounted software for students. Click on About–>Digital Resources–>Software For Students

Computer Labs
Animation Software, CAM Tool Path Software and High end Rendering Software are available in the Computer Lab rooms 303 and 419.

Peripherals
Studios are equipped with one Desktop Computer with scanner, laser printer, and Wireless Network Connectivity.

Final Thoughts
When you are purchasing your computer, consider a cable lock (laptops have a lock slot that allows them to be secured to objects such as a table or desk, although this will only slow a determined thief down slightly). Also, think about backup of your files. Some sort of large-format external media device (external hard drive, tape backup, dvd burner, etc.) is important take it from some one who has suffered a catastrophic hard drive failure during a deadline. Finally, although not required, it is highly recommended that an extended warranty be purchased along with the laptop.

Note: These specifications are updated periodically and so should be reviewed prior to arriving at the University.

For more information, visit the CADC-IT computing website at http://cadc.auburn.edu/it
OR
the Auburn University Office of Information Technology (OIT) website at
http://auburn.edu/oit/