Student Computer Purchasing
Updated: August 2011
Items on this page:
Introduction
Recommended Computers
Required Software
Frequently Asked Questions (including Financial Aid)
Contact Information and Links
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 (10.5 and above), Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, and Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate. We do not support Mac OS X 10.4 (or earlier), Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP Home, XP Media Center, Vista Home, or Windows 7 Home due to some inherent problems with running these outdated or limited operating systems on large computer networks.
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. You may need to configure the computers on these sites to match our recommended specifications. Current pricing may vary slightly (usually lower). 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.
 |
Recommended laptop: |
$1999 |
| 3-year AppleCare warranty (required) | $239 | |
| Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (optional, can be purchased when needed from the Duck Store) | $29 | |
| Security Kit | $39 | |
| Apple MacBook Pro Hardware Total | $2306 | |
OR
 |
Alternate smaller laptop: 13-inch MacBook Pro 2.7 GHz Intel Dual-Core i7, 4 GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, DVD-RW/CD-RW Superdrive, 256MB shared video card, AirPort Extreme (802.11n) Wireless Card, Bluetooth, Integrated camera and microphone, 13.3-inch Display, Mac OS X, 4.5 pounds |
$1399 |
| 3-year AppleCare warranty (required) | $183 | |
| Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (optional, can be purchased when needed from the Duck Store) | $29 | |
| Security Kit | $39 | |
| Apple Small MacBook Pro Hardware Total | $1650 | |
Minimum Required Hardware (Windows 7 Professional specification)
 |
Recommended laptop: Dell Latitude E6520 2.50 GHz Intel Core i5 15.4-inch 1600x900 Display, 4 GB RAM (2 DIMMs), 512MB video card, 500GB hard drive, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, DVD-RW/CD-RW Superdrive, Wireless (802.11n) networking, Bluetooth, Integrated camera and microphone, 9-cell battery, 3 Year Warranty, 5.5 pounds |
$1300* (includes $20 shipping) |
| Security Kit (lets you secure your computer to your desk to prevent theft) | $39 | |
|
Dell Latitude E6510 Laptop Hardware Total * Dell's prices change frequently. This price is from the Dell Education Store and reflects additional savings from regular pricing. |
$1339* | |
OR
 |
Alternate Smaller laptop: Dell Latitude E6420 2.60 GHz Intel Core i5 14.1-inch WXGA Display, 4 GB RAM (2 DIMMs), 512MB video card, 320GB hard drive, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, DVD-RW/CD-RW Superdrive, Wireless (802.11n) networking, Bluetooth, Integrated camera and microphone, 9-cell battery, 3 Year Warranty, 5 pounds |
$1200.00* (includes $20 shipping) |
| Security Kit (lets you secure your computer to your desk to prevent theft) | $39 | |
|
Dell Latitude E6410 Laptop Hardware Total * Dell's prices change frequently. This price is from the Dell Education Store and reflects additional savings from regular pricing. |
$1239.00*
|
|
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. HP, 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 Microsoft software below is available at the UO Duck Store (formerly UO Bookstore).
The Adobe software below are from techhead.org, a division of the Oregon Educational Technology Consortium.
Architecture: Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium, AutoCAD and Sketchup Pro are required.
AutoCAD is freely downloadable from Autodesk.
If you purchase an Apple computer and would like to run Windows 7 via Boot Camp, you can purchase it from the Duck Store. A&AA Computing Services staff can help you if you need assistance.
Digital Arts and Product Design: Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium is required.
Faculty may specify additional software for a given course or department.
All prices below are estimates, as they may change without notice and vary depending on vendor.
| Software Title | Price |
|
Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Design Premium (from Duckstore): Adobe Acrobat Professional Adobe Dreamweaver Adobe Flash Professional Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop |
$449
|
| Sketchup Pro (annual license, download from www.sketchup.com) | $49 |
Supported Optional Software
|
Microsoft Office 2011 (for Mac OS X) Office Pro Plus 2010 (for Windows) Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (to run Bootcamp on your Apple computer) can be purchased from the UO Duck store. You must purchase the full version, not the upgrade, per Microsoft's licensing agreement. |
$65
$79
$169 |
Specific technical questions can be directed to A&AA Computing Services at aaahelp@uoregon.edu or (541) 346-6194.
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.
- Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 1-800-760-6953 or 541-346-3221. Students who are normally not eligible for financial aid may qualify with the additional cost of the required computer equipment.
- Consumer loans are available through banks and credit unions.
- Leasing options are available through some computer retailers.
- Apple offers income/credit based loans to qualified purchasers. There is no charge for pre-approval. Call the Apple Loan Program: 1-800-277-5356.
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 Duck Store or directly from Apple or Dell.
For Apple computers, we recommend a visit to the UO Duck Store or the Apple Store for Education (select the Education section at the bottom of the Apple Store main page). Pricing is equivalent, however there is no tax if purchased from the Duck Store. The Duck Store may also have specials and sales that the on-line Apple Store may not have.
Order your Windows computer from Dell via our University of Oregon Premiere Dell site.
If you would like to shop in person, the Duck Store stocks all of the recommended Apple hardware and all of the required software. You can reach the friendly, knowledgeable staff at the UO Duck Store at (541) 346-4331; ask for Computing.
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.
If you prefer one over the other, buy the kind you prefer. If you are unsure, verify with your department if there is a preference. If you are still undecided and you have adequate funds, buy a Mac. Why? Added flexibility. You can run Windows on a Mac via a separate partition or in a virtual machine via a program like Parallels. You can also remove OS X entirely and run just Windows 7.
Here are a few differences between Mac OS computers and Windows computers that may help you decide:
| Windows | Mac OS | |
| Runs AutoCAD and ArcGIS (both are free for students): | Yes | Yes, requires purchase of Windows upgrade license. |
| Viruses: | over 70,000 | Very few. |
| Spyware/Adware: | Pervasive and obnoxious | Very little. |
| Need to keep up with security patches: | Critical | Important |
| Initial price: | - | Slightly more expensive for similar specifications; price includes useful software (iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD) and the ability to run both Mac OS and Windows software. |
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 UO Duck Store (formerly the UO Bookstore) sells Microsoft software at a reduced rate to students affiliated with the University of Oregon. Techhead.org also sells the "upgrade" version of Microsoft Windows, which according to Microsoft can not be used to install Windows 7 on an Apple computer.
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. These recommended systems should last for the majority of your time pursueing a degree at the university if you take good care of it.
It is also 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.
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 and theft.
If you buy a desktop computer, be aware that A&AA Computing Services supports Dell Optiplex, Apple iMac, and Apple Mac Pro models only.
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, Vista Business/Ultimate, or Windows 7 Professional/Ultimate?
No.
Windows 95/98/ME/XP Home/XP Media Center/Vista Home/Windows 7 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 a Professional, Business, or Ultimate version of Windows if you want your computer to work correctly on the network. You may receive no technical support if your computer runs another version of Windows; we will instruct you to upgrade.
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 may be limited.
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 for Windows and the Mac OS. 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 Architecture 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.
- Access control is provided in most studios. The doors to the studios have access control devices which require a code to enter. Note that if your fellow students prop doors open, the purpose of the access control devices will be defeated.
- In many studios there are high-security desks that allow you to lock your computer in a safe box.
- We highly recommend that each student purchase and install the recommended computer security kit. You can purchase it at the University of Oregon Duck Store; it is part of the recommendation above.
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?
Typically new students setup their Duck ID's when they go through IntroDucktion or via instructions received in the mail once initial deposits have been made to the university. Your Duck ID is the first half of your email address and can be managed at http://duckid.uoregon.edu. Students can use any computer with a web browser and an internet connection to check email via Webmail. Use your Duck ID and associated password to check your email.
More information about email and your Duck ID can be found at the university's IT web site here.
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
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Helga Wood, Admissions Advisor
Phone: (541) 346-1433
Email: archadms@uoregon.edu
Department of Landscape Architecture
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Chad Bush, Office Coordinator
Phone: (541) 346-3634
Email: chad@uoregon.edu
DIgital Arts program
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Heidi Howes, Office Specialist
Phone: (541) 346-3610
Email: hhowes@uoregon.edu
Product Design program
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Theresa Sterkel, Office Specialist
Phone: (541) 346-6945
Email: pdinfo@uoregon.edu
A&AA Computing Services:
-
A&AA Computing Services helpdesk
Phone: (541) 346-6194
Email: aaahelp@uoregon.edu
Additional Links and Resources
