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Student Computer Purchasing
Updated: July 21, 2009. (Next update: Fall 2009) Items on this page: Students in the departments of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, students in the Product Design program, and students in the Digital Arts program at UO Portland are required to own personal computers. This web page details the computers that the School of Architecture and Allied Arts (A&AA) Computing Services unit recommends and supports. To participate effectively in A&AA's computer-integrated studios and majors that require computers, every student needs to have unlimited access to a personal computer. Incoming students are required to have access to computer tools in their studio work space. Assignments across the curriculum will assume this capability. Students in other A&AA departments and programs are not required to purchase computers, but in order to receive full support from A&AA Computing Services, students must purchase one of the recommended computers below. Laptop computers are strongly recommended. They will allow you to participate more effectively in computer-based classes. You may choose to purchase a new computer at any time during your academic career at the UO. When you do, visit this page for current recommendations. A&AA Computing Services staff update this page two or three times per year as vendors introduce significant changes to computer models. Computing Services at the School of Architecture and Allied Arts supports the following computer operating systems for student use: Mac OS X (10.4 and above), Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business, and Windows Vista Ultimate. We do not support Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP Home, XP Media Center, or Vista Home due to some inherent problems with running these outdated or limited operating systems on large computer networks. For more information on these limitations, please visit http://micro.uoregon.edu/microsoft_networking.html. This support policy ensures that students enjoy, as much as possible, a stable, problem-free computing experience. Prices below are quoted from Apple Computer, Inc. and Dell Computer Corp. Current pricing may vary slightly (usually lower). (If you click on the Dell link above and do not see "Welcome to the University of Oregon School of Architecture Student Computing Initiative", come back to this page and click the link again.) These prices should also be available from the UO Duck Store. Minimum Required Hardware (Mac OS X Specification) A note on Apple and Dell warranties: Apple offers a one-year warranty by default, while Dell's default warranty is three years. A&AA Computing Services strongly recommends upgrading your Apple warranty to three years by choosing the "AppleCare Protection Plan" option on the Apple Store computer configuration web page. A&AA Computing Services buys AppleCare for all faculty and staff laptop computers.
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Minimum Required Hardware (Windows Vista Business Specification)
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The computer systems listed above are the minimum configurations. You may choose to configure your computer with additional RAM or a larger hard drive, for example. To guarantee the best support, A&AA Computing Services strongly discourages purchasing different brands (e.g. Gateway, HP, or Toshiba) or models (e.g. Dell Dimension or Inspiron). A&AA Computing Services may withhold support from computers that do not comply with the recommendations above. Laptop computers are strongly recommended. They will allow you to participate more effectively in computer-based classes. Required Software The following software is available at the UO Duck Store (formerly UO Bookstore) and at techhead.org. The Adobe and Microsoft prices below are from techhead.org, a division of the Oregon Educational Technology Consortium. Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium and Sketchup Pro are required for Architecture. Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium is required for Digital Arts and Product Design. Faculty may specify additional software for a given course or department.
Supported Optional Software
Specific technical questions can be directed to Chris Jones at jonesey@uoregon.edu or (541) 346-2094. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (below) before e-mailing or calling. Frequently Asked Questions What are my options for financial assistance? We encourage all students required to buy a computer to return a "Plan to Purchase" form to the Office of Financial Aid. [Note: To view and download this information you must have Adobe Reader.] Forms are also available in your department office. The computer requirement may increase your financial aid eligibility. If you are not eligible for financial aid but need to borrow money in order to purchase your computer, you are encouraged to discuss loan possibilities with a UO financial aid counselor.
Where do I buy my hardware and/or software? You may obtain the recommended hardware and software from wherever you wish, but we have made an effort to ensure that you get the best deal available by purchasing your computer from the UO Bookstore or directly from Apple or Dell. For Apple computers, we recommend the Apple Store for Education (select the Education section at the bottom of the Apple Store main page) or the Duck Store. Pricing is the same. Order your Windows computer from this link, which provides special pricing: Dell Computer Corp. (If you click on the Dell link and do not see "Welcome to the University of Oregon School of Architecture Student Computing Initiative", come back to this page and try the link again.) All of the Dell links on this page should take you to the "UO School of Architecture" page with special pricing. Similar pricing may be available from the Duck Store. If you would like to shop in person, the Duck Store stocks all of the recommended Apple and Dell hardware and all of the required software. You can reach the friendly, knowledgeable staff at the UO Bookstore at (541) 346-4331; ask for Computing. Hanna Budan can be reached at the UO Bookstore telephone number or via e-mail: hbudan@uoregon.edu. Should I get a Windows computer or a Mac? This is the hardest question to answer and also the most common. For the most part, Mac OS computers and Windows computers run the same software, including all Adobe and Microsoft software that students need to complete assignments. Most students will do fine with either one. Here's the bottom line: If you prefer one or the other, buy the kind you prefer. If not, buy a Mac. You can run Windows on a Mac if you decide the Mac OS is not for you. Here are a few differences between Mac OS computers and Windows computers that may help you decide:
How do I run Windows on my Mac? There are multiple ways to get Windows on your Mac. The easiest and lowest-cost method is called Boot Camp. All new Macs come with Boot Camp built in. Boot Camp is what allows the computers in A&AA's computing labs to run both Windows and the Mac OS. Run the Boot Camp Assistant, follow the instructions, and insert a Windows installation CD when prompted. The least expensive source for Windows is probably techhead.org. At this writing, they are selling a Microsoft Windows Vista Business CD and Upgrade License for $77.90. Other software that allows you to run Windows on your Mac includes Parallels and VMWare Fusion. These programs allow you to run the Mac OS and Windows at the same time. They cost money, and they are fussier than Boot Camp, but some people like them better. Ask your fellow students what they are using. There are cheaper computers available. Why do I have to purchase the recommended system? In short, A&AA Computing Services has recommended and supported Apple computers and Dell Latitude computers for over a decade. When you buy a computer, you get what you pay for. Purchasing something that appears cheaper up front is highly likely to lead to one or more of the following: inferior support, inferior performance, or inferior durability. It is important that students purchase one of the recommended systems because they risk being denied technical assistance if they purchase an alternate computer system. When a student brings in a computer with alternative components, A&AA Computing Services' technical staff has the option to direct the student back to the point of purchase for technical assistance. This may impede the student's academic performance. Students who purchase the recommended systems have guaranteed access to a staff of computer experts who can help them with a wide range of computer problems and who are familiar with the recommended systems. Regarding Dell's Inspiron and Dimension models: our experience, and that of many other schools, with Dell Inspiron and Dimension models is that they are inconsistent. Instead of staying with a standard set of parts through an entire production run, Dell puts in the least expensive parts available at the moment of production. Two "identical" Dell Inspiron models coming off the assembly line one after the other could have different parts. This inconsistency makes the computers less reliable and more difficult to support. Should I buy a laptop computer or a desktop computer? Laptop computers are strongly recommended. They will allow you to participate more effectively in computer-based classes. Laptop computers have the major advantage of being portable and convenient, which makes them more useful and easier to support. The primary drawback is higher cost. Be aware that laptops are easier to steal. We suggest that you ask more senior students in your department about their experience with laptop and desktop computers. If you buy a Dell desktop computer, you'll need to purchase a Dell Optiplex (not a Dimension or Precision Workstation) in order to receive support from A&AA Computing Services. Apple iMac and Mac Pro desktop computers are supported by A&AA Computing Services. The recommended computers are powerful and expensive. Do I have to spend so much money for such a powerful computer when I'm just a novice? Yes. Students purchase a powerful computer so that they will incur fewer costs later on in their academic career. A less powerful computer is much more likely to become outdated when you are two or three years into your program. We expect that your computer will perform well for three to four years under normal use. You should plan to consider purchasing a second computer at some point during your academic career. I'm familiar with (or already have) Windows XP Home/XP Media Center/Vista Home. Can I use this instead of Windows XP Professional or Vista Business/Ultimate? No. Windows 95/98/ME/XP Home/XP Media Center/Vista Home are designed for home use and will not work properly on large-scale networks like the one at the UO. Major limitations include network printing and network file sharing. You must purchase Windows XP Professional, Vista Business, or Vista Ultimate if you want your computer to work correctly on the network. You will receive no technical support if your computer runs another version of Windows; we will instruct you to upgrade to XP Professional or Vista Business. Can two (or more) students share the same computer? No. The requirement in Architecture and Landscape Architecture is for "each student to have the appropriate computing capability in his or her principal work space." Can I use the computer labs instead of buying my own equipment? No. The UO and A&AA computing labs provide an alternative for students who do not have their computer on site. These university-supported labs are frequently congested at peak times, so access is not unlimited. Will I be required to purchase more software later in my academic career? Probably. You must purchase the software faculty require for their classes. You will have access to a full suite of software in the A&AA computing labs. A&AA computing labs are a centralized resource, funded by student Educational Technology fees, for all A&AA students. The labs give access to software, scanners, and printers that would be prohibitively expensive for students to purchase individually and provide students a place to try out software prior to purchase. Does the University of Oregon, A&AA Computing Services, or my department get a "kick-back" from students' purchases? No. The A&AA Computing Services staff work hard to find computer systems that are both reliable and affordable. While the recommendations may be a bit more expensive than what a local retailer may offer, the components in the computer are less likely to fail and disrupt your work. When components do fail, as some inevitably do, the manufacturers we recommend provide the best service in the computer industry. Should I purchase the hardware and software separately? Yes. We encourage you to do so in order to get the best prices. Do I need to buy anti-virus software? No. But if you purchase a Windows computer, you must install anti-virus software. The UO has a site license for anti-virus software. If you purchase an Apple computer, anti-virus software is optional. Do I need insurance? We strongly recommend coverage under renter's or homeowner's insurance, either yours or your parents'. You will probably need to declare your computer to include it in your coverage or add a special rider to cover your computer. Computer coverage is often inexpensive. When will I need my computer equipment? If you're an Option III graduate student, you will need a computer by the first week of Winter term (about January 5). If you're an undergraduate, you will need a computer by the first week of Spring term (about April 1). When ordering your computer to meet these deadlines, keep in mind that it may take two to three weeks to receive your order. If you would like to purchase a computer before those dates, use the recommendation above to guide you. The recommended specifications change little during a single year. Where do I set up my computer when I get it? New graduate and undergraduate students should set up their computers in their design studios. A&AA Computing Services can help you set up and configure your computer. Please contact us at aaahelp@uoregon.edu to schedule a visit. Will my computer be safe in my studio? We take precautions to ensure the safety of your computer equipment in all studio spaces occupied by the introductory studios.
What if I want to buy a printer? Having a personal printer is not recommended but can provide convenient and flexible feedback in the design process. Before you buy your own printer, you may want to do some research on the surprisingly high cost of operating an inkjet printer. Low-cost laser printing is available in the A&AA computing labs, and color printing is available in the A&AA Output Room. How do I set up an e-mail account? Students can use any computer with a web browser to log on to DuckWeb at http://duckweb.uoregon.edu. After entering a valid Student ID number and PAC, you will be presented with the main DuckWeb menu. Select "Personal Information" and then "View UO Computing Accounts Information." You will see your e-mail address and password. If the initial password has been changed, the account information will indicate that the password has "already changed or the account was created at an earlier date." The UO Computing Accounts Information page also provides links to the Microcomputer Services Get Connected site, http://micro.uoregon.edu/getconnected. This site provides detailed instructions concerning use of UO e-mail and computing resources and step-by-step instructions on getting connected to the UO network via Ethernet, wireless, or modem. I have more questions, to whom should I address them? For non-technical questions, see the Department Contacts below. For questions about computers, contact a Computing Services staff member. Department of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
DIgital Arts and Product Design programs
A&AA Computing Services:
Additional Links and Resources
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