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faq:hardware [2020/07/09 12:48] – wikiadminfaq:hardware [2024/07/25 15:01] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 ====== What type of computer do I need for the computing programs at Edinboro? ====== ====== What type of computer do I need for the computing programs at Edinboro? ======
  
-===== Update for COVID-19 =====+==== Update for COVID-19 ====
  
 As all Fall 2020 courses may have an online portion and/or an online final, you should have access to a computer or laptop. Chromebooks are not recommended. In addition, you may need a webcam and access to a scanner or phone camera. See below for more details. As all Fall 2020 courses may have an online portion and/or an online final, you should have access to a computer or laptop. Chromebooks are not recommended. In addition, you may need a webcam and access to a scanner or phone camera. See below for more details.
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 Get a reasonable computer with at least 8GB of memory running Windows, Linux or macOS. A graphics card that will support a second monitor along with that second monitor would be very helpful. Get a reasonable computer with at least 8GB of memory running Windows, Linux or macOS. A graphics card that will support a second monitor along with that second monitor would be very helpful.
  
-=== Detailed Answer ===+==== Detailed Answer ====
  
 For the first year and a half of the program you will be learning to program. You will spend quite a bit of time at he computer writing and debugging code. For the most part you will be working on a remote server so the primary concern will be a keyboard/mouse/monitor combination that you are comfortable with. You might want to consider For the first year and a half of the program you will be learning to program. You will spend quite a bit of time at he computer writing and debugging code. For the most part you will be working on a remote server so the primary concern will be a keyboard/mouse/monitor combination that you are comfortable with. You might want to consider
  
-A second monitor. Make sure that the graphics card in the computer can support two monitors (most do). This is extremely helpful as you will probably be using a web browser for reference in one monitor and multiple work areas (terminals, IDE, ...) in the second. This is not a requirement but extremely useful. Most of our lab computers have two monitors. +  * A second monitor. Make sure that the graphics card in the computer can support two monitors (most do). This is extremely helpful as you will probably be using a web browser for reference in one monitor and multiple work areas (terminals, IDE, ...) in the second. This is not a requirement but extremely useful. Most of our lab computers have two monitors. 
-At least 8 GB of memory, if not more. +  * At least 8 GB of memory, if not more. 
-Students in the game concentration will use Unreal Engine. The requirements for Unreal list this as a minimum. +         * Students in the game concentration will use Unreal Engine. The [[https://docs.unrealengine.com/en-US/GettingStarted/RecommendedSpecifications/index.html|requirements for Unreal]] list this as a minimum. 
-For the systems network/systems admin concentration you will probably want to run virtual machines using VirtualBox. They state "Depending on what guest operating systems you want to run, you will need at least 512 MB of RAM (but probably more, and the more the better). Basically, you will need whatever your host operating system needs to run comfortably, plus the amount that the guest operating system needs. " +         * For the systems network/systems admin concentration you will probably want to run virtual machines using [[https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/End-user_documentation|VirtualBox]]. They state "Depending on what guest operating systems you want to run, you will need at least 512 MB of RAM (but probably more, and the more the better). Basically, you will need whatever your host operating system needs to run comfortably, plus the amount that the guest operating system needs. " 
-A quad core is a good upgrade, but you will probably get that anyway. +  * A quad core is a good upgrade, but you will probably get that anyway. 
-Disk space becomes a consideration later in the program, but you will probably have sufficient disk space on anything you purchase. You will probably end up migrating work to the cloud anyway.+  * Disk space becomes a consideration later in the program, but you will probably have sufficient disk space on anything you purchase. You will probably end up migrating work to the cloud anyway. 
 In addition to programming, you will be using your computer to do homework and write reports. You need to be comfortable using this computer for extended periods of time. The University provides access to Microsoft Office 365 while you are a student. In addition to programming, you will be using your computer to do homework and write reports. You need to be comfortable using this computer for extended periods of time. The University provides access to Microsoft Office 365 while you are a student.
 +
 If you plan taking notes on your computer, you will want a laptop which is durable and reasonably light weight. You will frequently have classes which are back to back and you will not be able to return to student housing between every class. This means you will have to carry the laptop for most of the day. While the campus is not huge, you may have a 10 minute walk between classes or from your dorm room/car to your classes. If you plan taking notes on your computer, you will want a laptop which is durable and reasonably light weight. You will frequently have classes which are back to back and you will not be able to return to student housing between every class. This means you will have to carry the laptop for most of the day. While the campus is not huge, you may have a 10 minute walk between classes or from your dorm room/car to your classes.
  
 If you are in the game concentration, the requirements for the Unreal engine will probably change. UE5 is rumored to support real time ray tracing with the appropriate graphics cards. These will most likely change in the next few years. It might be a reasonable choice to hold off purchasing a system until you have finished the first year of the program if you currently have sufficient computer resources. If you are in the game concentration, the requirements for the Unreal engine will probably change. UE5 is rumored to support real time ray tracing with the appropriate graphics cards. These will most likely change in the next few years. It might be a reasonable choice to hold off purchasing a system until you have finished the first year of the program if you currently have sufficient computer resources.
  
-=== Covid-19 Answer ===+==== Covid-19 Answer ====
  
 If classes are moved completely on line, you will probably double the amount of time you spend using your computer. While not required, the second monitor becomes even more important. If classes are moved completely on line, you will probably double the amount of time you spend using your computer. While not required, the second monitor becomes even more important.
faq/hardware.1594298886.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024/07/25 15:01 (external edit)