La Roche College

Computer Initiative

Interior Design

A Windows notebook is required fall semester for students taking IDSN1011 Interior Design Graphics I; and in spring semester for students taking IDSN1021 Interior Design Graphics II and IDSN1020 Interior Design I.  All ID majors above the freshman year are required to have their own notebook with current software.

Macintosh notebooks should not be purchased due to software incompatibility.

These hardware and software specifications apply only to the 2012-2013 academic year.   Updated specifications are posted during the summer for the next academic year.

Hardware/Software
Specifications

For 32-bit processors and operating systems:

  • Intel Pentium® 4 processor, 3 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology
    - or -
    AMD Athlon™ processor, 3 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology
  • 2 GB RAM (4 GB RAM recommended)

For 64-bit processors and operating systems:

  • Intel Xeon® with Intel EM64T support and SSE2 technology
    - or -
    Intel Pentium® 4 processor with Intel EM64T support and SSE2 technology
    - or -
    AMD Athlon 64 with SSE2 technology
    - or -
    AMD Opteron™ with SSE2 technology
  • 2 GB RAM (4 GB RAM recommended)

For both 32-bit and 64-bit processors and operating systems:

  • Windows 7
  • 160 GB hard drive (minimum)
  • 1,024 x 768 display w/ true color (minimum)
    1,600 x 1,050 or higher w/ true color (recommended)
  • 128 MB graphics card (minimum)
    256 MB or greater, Direct3D-compatible 3D graphics card (recommended)
  • Pixel Shader 3.0 or greater, Microsoft® Direct3D®-capable-workstation-class 3D graphics card
  • Wireless Ethernet - 802.11 b/g
  • 10/100 Ethernet connection
  • 2 USB 2.0 High Speed Ports
  • DVD-RW
  • 3-button Optical Wheeled Scroll Mouse
  • MS Office 2010 Professional
  • Antivirus software as approved by La Roche (must be kept up-to-date)
  • Carrying case (recommended)
  • Extended warranty (highly recommended)
 

Software Acquisition

AutoCAD software is available free of charge for students from AutoDesk. Please visit the following website to register and download AutoCAD® Architecture 2013 and a license key.students.autodesk.com Follow the directions to establish an account using your La Roche e-mail address.

Please Note: Even with a broadband connection, the software is large and will require up to several hours to download.

Other software, including AutoCAD Revit is also available free of charge from this website.

Technical issues with the AutoDesk website should be directed to studentcommunity@autodeskcommunications.com

Graphic & Communication Design

Attention all Graphic & Communication Design Students,

As part of the La Roche College Student Computer Initiative, all incoming freshman and transfer students in the Graphic & Communication Design program are required to purchase an Apple Macintosh laptop computer system and software before the start of the fall semester.  We have found that the Computer Initiative program benefits our students in their design production, technical abilities and problem-solving skills... all of which help to better prepare you for a professional position in the Graphic Design field upon graduation.

There are two choices of systems that you may purchase – an entry-end model (Option One) and an upper-end model (Option Two).  Either will work for your time in the Graphic & Communication Design program. Students are required to purchase Apple Care on the laptop. Along with the Apple Macintosh laptop computer, with wireless connectivity, you are REQUIRED to purchase an Epson 1430 ink jet printer AND Adobe Creative Suite 6 Design Premium (CS6).  You may purchase this equipment and software anywhere you wish (Apple does offer educational pricing online and in-store).  However, you must meet the requirements listed below for whichever system you choose.  You may always upgrade and purchase more than these minimum computer requirements.

These hardware and software specifications apply only to the 2012-2013 academic year.   Updated specifications are posted during the summer for the next academic year.

Mac Laptop Minimum Option (1)
13" MacBook Pro 2.5GHz

Mac Laptop Minimum Option (2)
15" MacBook Pro 2.3GHz
  • 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5
  • Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
  • 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
  • 500GB 5400-rpm hard drive
  • SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
  • REQUIRED ADD ONS:
    Apple Mini Display Port to VGA Adapter
    AppleCare Protection Plan
  • 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
  • Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
  • 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
  • 750GB 5400-rpm hard drive
  • SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
  • REQUIRED ADD ONS:
    Apple Mini Display Port to VGA Adapter
    AppleCare Protection Plan

Retail Price: $1,477.00
+ Required Printer
(Epson 1430 Printer $299 or less)

Retail Price: $2,277.00
+ Required Printer
(Epson 1430 Printer $299 or less)

The software requirements are as follows:

  • Adobe CS6 Design Premium Student Edition - Required - Educational pricing - Available for $359.95 from Journey Ed(Search for item number "1534622")
  • MS Office 2011 for Mac – Recommended but not required – Educational Pricing
    - Or -
    Apple iWork software suite for the Mac - Recommended but not required - Educational Pricing or can purchase when ordering laptop
  • Antivirus software as approved by La Roche (must be kept up-to-date) - Required - Note: The antivirus software included with your MAC OS is sufficient.

    Please contact the La Roche College Student Helpdesk for questions regarding antivirus software specifications: studenthelpdesk@laroche.edu

If you have any questions about this process, please contact:Patrick Connolly Patrick.Connolly@laroche.edu
Assistant Professor,Graphic & Communication Design

Communication, Media & Technology

A Windows or Macintosh notebook or desktop is required freshman year, first semester.  Returning students should upgrade their software as necessary.
The ability to make presentations, graphics and short multimedia pieces is essential.

Students should consult with the department chair Jeff Ritter to determine if their computer choice is adequate.

Minimum Hardware Specifications

Required Software Packages

Please follow the minimum requirements for all majors below.
  • Microsoft Office 2010 - Professional Edition
  • Antivirus software as approved by
    La Roche (must be kept up-to-date)

All Majors (not listed above)

Most majors except those explicitly listed above, are not required to own a computer.   We recommend that you make a purchase if you deem it beneficial.  Most students will be comfortable with and benefit from a Windows notebook or desktop, but should you be more familiar with Macintosh computers, you should have no problem integrating a modern Apple computer with our campus technology. There may be certain technology-related classes however, due to instructor requirements, that you may not be able to use a Macintosh computer.

(The campus computer labs can always be used for assignments)

If you would like to purchase your own Windows or Macintosh computer, we suggest following the following minimum requirements as a guideline.

Please Note:  All students are required to take a computer literacy class (IST 105).  Microsoft© Office 2010 Professional includes all of the software packages taught in that class.

Minimum Recommended Windows
Desktop Specifications

Minimum Recommended Windows
Notebook Specifications
  • Windows 7
  • 2 GHz Pentium or Equivalent
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 160 GB Hard Drive
  • DVD Drive
  • 10/100 Ethernet connection
  • 17 inch LCD monitor
  • Windows 7
  • 2 GHz Pentium or Equivalent
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 80 GB Hard Drive
  • DVD Drive
  • 10/100 Ethernet connection
  • Wireless Ethernet - 802.11b/g compliant

Additional Software for Windows systems
  • Microsoft Office 2010 Professional
  • Antivirus software as approved by La Roche (must be kept up-to-date)

Minimum Recommended Macintosh
Desktop Specifications

Minimum Recommended Macintosh
Notebook Specifications
  • IMac with 17 inch built in display
  • Mac OS X v10.6 Leopard or above
  • 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 150 GB Hard Drive
  • DVD Drive
  • 10/100 Ethernet connection
  • MacBook with 13 inch screen
  • Mac OS X v10.6 Leopard or above
  • 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 60 GB Hard Drive
  • DVD Drive
  • 10/100 Ethernet connection
  • Wireless Ethernet - 802.11b/g compliant

Additional Software for Macintosh systems
  • Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac
  • Antivirus software as approved by La Roche (must be kept up-to-date) - Required - Note: The antivirus software included with your MAC OS is sufficient.

5320 | Copyright ©2013 La Roche College

Questions?

Contact:

Paul Balouris Initiative Coordinator
(412) 367-9300