Hardware and Software Requirements
Updated 5/27/2021
School of Architecture Requirements: Called Architecture Laptops at the Georgia Tech Store
Minimum Recommended Hardware
Processor: Intel Core i7 3.5 Ghz or higher; ; or Intel Xeon-W 2.8Ghz or higher
Memory: 16GB or higher
Graphics Card: 6GB or 8GB discrete graphics card or higher
Primary Storage: 500 GB solid state drive or higher
Backup: External hard drive or cloud service
Networking: Dual-Band (2.4GHz/5GHz) Wireless 802.11n
Recovery option: Highly recommended
I/O devices Physical: Keyboard and mouse (trackpad not sufficient)
Extended Warranty: Highly recommended
Optional accessories: Ethernet cable, webcam and microphone, headphones
Recommended: Kensington laptop lock
See also SCO.gatech.edu
Examples:
ThinkPad P15 Intel (15") - Mobile Workstation
Dell Precision 5550 Workstation
We don’t recommend Apple laptops.
Laptop Recommendations
*The specifications listed in the recommendations below should serve as minimum requirements.
Option One: Dell Mobile Precision 5530
8th gen Intel Core i5-8400H (quad-core 2.5GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo, 8M cache)
Windows 10 Pro 64bit
15.6" UltraSharp FHD (1920x1080) IGZO4 anti-glare Premium Panel Display
NVIDIA Quadro P1000 (4GB GDDR5)
16GB DDR4-2666MHz memory
500GB PCIe M.2 NVMe class 40 Solid-state drive
6-cell (97Whr) Lithium-Ion Battery
Dell Wireless WiFi 802.11ac + Bluetooth 5.0
4 Year ProSupport with Next Business Day Limited Onsite Service
4 Year CompleteCare Accidental Damage Protection
GT Technology Store [5/31/2019]: $2012.79
Option Two: Lenovo P51
7th gen Intel Core i7-7820HQ (8M cache, up to 3.90GHz)
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
15.6" FHD (1920x1080) IPS display
NVIDIA Quadro M1200M 4GB
16GB RAM (DDR4-2400MHz SODIMM)
512GB PCIe solid-state drive
720p Webcam
Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader
6-Cell Li-Ion Battery
Intel dual-band WiFi 802.11ac with Bluetooth 4.1
4-Year on-site warranty + Accidental Damage Protection
GT Technology Store [5/31/2019]: $2160.40
Required Software
SOFTWARE below is required to be installed on student laptops
Operating System
Windows 10...free
Adobe
Creative Cloud...US$19.99/mo
*Students should be able to access Adobe CC through the VLabs. If you are off campus you will need to connect to the network using the VPN. Once connected, you can reach VLabs through https://mycloud.gatech.edu and via multiple labs on campus. The most commonly used labs are Arch West 358 & 359. Once you've logged in, you can use you @gatech.edu email credentials to access Adobe CC and any of the apps you need to use.
Autodesk
3ds Max...free
AutoCAD...free
A 360...free
Inventor Professional...free
Maya...free
Revit...free
Robot Structural Analysis Professional...free
Stingray...free
FormIt Pro...free
and more...free
McNeal
Rhinoceros 7...US$195
Grasshopper
Windows Version...free
175+ Plugins for Grasshopper...free
OIT
EndNoteX8...free
Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus...free
Additional Software
Chaosgroup
VRay...US$103.00/year
Questions?
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