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COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS

ALL STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE SHOULD BRING THEIR OWN PERSONAL
COMPUTER

Use of digital tools and technology in the School of Architecture is
significant, especially for students of design (Architecture and Landscape
Architecture, and increasingly Urban Planning), and as early as the first year
of study for both undergraduate and graduate students.  Computer use is far more
intense than basic office and productivity work and will include significant use
of graphics tools like the Adobe suite, CAD, 3D modeling, GIS, and more.  To be
effective and not frustrated with your computer's working performance, this
requires a higher specification, and higher cost, than what would be required of
some other academic areas.  All incoming students should read through the
information on this page and look to purchase a computer according to this
expectation.




COMPUTER REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS

Approximate costs to expect for a computer capable of the work that you will
need to do, plus costs for software that you will need to buy, are as follows:


ComputerSoftwareTotalDesign and Planning students:~$2,100 - $2,800~$255 [see
note]$2,355 - $3,055Non-design students:~$1,200 - $1,400~$160 [see note]$1,360 -
$1,475


Note that these are rough averages based on current offerings and are intended
only to give a general picture of the price.  These only include the most common
hardware and required software. Individual needs may differ.

[note] The prices shown above indicate only first-time purchase costs.  Some
software, are subscription-based and require a yearly cost.  Adobe CC, for
instance, costs $159 per year.  Most other software is a one-time purchase.

The good news is that while the School of Architecture does require software
purchases, we require very few large textbooks.  The money that you would be
spending on expensive textbooks in other disciplines can be applied to software
costs here.

Specific requirements and specifications for hardware and software are given
below.

The CAV Program: We strongly encourage students to purchase your computer and
software through the CAV Program at Cavalier Computers.  CAV Program computers
are pre-configured to the specifications and software for the School of
Architecture and include additional installation and support services.  See the
bottom of this page for more detail on the CAV Program.

If you purchase your computer from somewhere other than Cavalier Computers,
please make sure your computer meets the specification for your group, listed
below.

Additional resources, including computer labs, virtual desktop connections,
imaging, scanning, and printing facilities are available in the school. These
facilities are supplements to personally owned computers, not replacements for
them.

A required computer orientation is held for arriving students at the beginning
of the academic year.

FINANCIAL AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR COMPUTING

Buying a computer is expensive, especially one that can do 3D CAD, GIS, and
graphics well.  This is a fact of our disciplines.  Fortunately there are
programs and options that can help to defray the cost of this for those who are
eligible.  Please consider some of these options when looking at the financial
side of a computer purchase for school.

1 - Laptops for Students Program - Undergraduate First-Year students only.
This is a University program, administered by UVA Student Financial Services (it
is not administered by the School of Architecture), and depends on eligibility.

Student Financial Services:  "Students are directed to contact our office at
laptop@virginia.edu if they are interested in the program.  The Laptops for
Student program awards laptops to low income entering first-year students.
 After May 1st, we invite eligible students to apply to the program.  After
reviewing the applications, we will then notify students that a laptop was
awarded to them. Students must actively accept the offer."

For first-year students, SFS will order a laptop specifically for eligible
students that meets the Architecture specifications for 3D graphics work.
 Please work with them on this.

"For returning students, we have a limited supply of used laptops to award.  
These laptops are not spec'd for the demands of Architecture and Engineering
programs."  However, these laptops if pursued will be able to connect to the
A-School Virtual Workstations, option 5 below, so may still be an option in some
cases.




2 - One Time Computer Expense Request - All Students

Students may submit the One-Time Computer Expense Request Form to request a
one-time increase to their Cost of Attendance (COA) for the purchase of a
computer and/or other peripheral devices for educational use.  By increasing
COA, undergraduate students become eligible for additional Institutional Loans
and graduate students become eligible for additional Graduate PLUS loans. This
process is only allowed once during a student’s enrollment at UVA.  Students
should refer to the One-Time Computer Expense Request Form for additional rules
and restrictions. 

Students do not need to demonstrate financial need to be eligible. Even
non-FAFSA filers (i.e. international students) can submit this form and have SFS
certify a private loan on their behalf. 

Additionally:

 a. Students who receive a free laptop (above) are still eligible for the
    one-time computer expense COA increase for the purchase of peripheral
    devices.
 b. Peripheral devices like printers, desktop monitors, external hard drives,
    etc. are also included in this policy.
 c. The increase to COA maxes out at $3,000, so it may not cover the full cost
    of a laptop depending on what the student purchases.

This program is administered through UVA Student Financial Services. The
One-Time Computer Expense Request Form should be submitted to their office by
following the instructions for submitting forms and documents detailed on the
Student Financial Services website.




3 - Student Charge Option to split payments for a computer through the CAV
Program

UVA students may use their student account to pay for their CAV Program
computer. Your purchases will appear on your UVA account as a separate line
item. The total amount due is split into two payments with the first payment due
October 31, followed by the remaining balance due December 31.  See details
here.




4 - Parents Fund Grant for Software Support - Adobe Creative Cloud funding

For Academic Years 2022-23 and 2023-24, students may apply to the Parents Fund
Grant for Software Support to have the cost of your Adobe Creative Cloud
software license covered by the School of Architecture, through a grant
supported by the UVA Parents Fund.




5 - Architecture Virtual Workstations.

If you have any computer that works, you can use it to access the School of
Architecture Virtual Workstations and use a full-power Virtual Desktop right
from your laptop.  This is completely free and available to all students in the
A-School, and you can do this from pretty much anything - Mac/Windows,
high-end/low-end, laptop/desktop.  The virtual workstations are Windows machines
running all of our common software, including the Adobe suite, several CAD
programs, ArcGIS, and other 3D visualization software.  They are built to
supplement the power of your laptop, but can be used when yours just isn't
capable.  If your laptop is little more than a functional screen, you can use it
to connect to these.  This is also a great option when you're working from a
loaner machine.

See this webpage: https://www.arch.virginia.edu/resources/virtual-workstations

SELECTING THE RIGHT COMPUTER




UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

 TYPE OF COMPUTER:
All undergraduate studentsLaptop Spec 1 – Design and GIS / Graphics Work


GRADUATE STUDENTS

  TYPE OF COMPUTER: Architecture, Landscape ArchitectureLaptop Spec 1 – Design
and GIS / Graphics Work
Urban and Environmental Planning
Students using GIS (most of you).Laptop Spec 1 – Design and GIS / Graphics Work
Architectural HistoryLaptop Spec 2 – Standard Use


 SEE THE NEXT SECTION FOR SPECIFICATIONS

 

Both Mac and Windows platforms are supported in the school. 

Most of the core software that we use run very well on both Mac and Windows.
 This includes the Adobe suite, AutoCAD, Rhino, R/R Studio, ArcGIS Online (Cloud
version), and many others.

Some software that design and planning students use are Windows-only, like
ArcGIS Desktop Pro, Autodesk Revit, and some of the more specialized
Rhino/Grasshopper plugins.

There are several ways to handle this if you choose a Mac.  

 * Intel-based Mac computers (older) can run Windows using BootCamp (dual-boot
   Mac and Windows).  Windows can be installed directly on the machine and you
   either boot back and forth between them, running natively, or you can setup a
   virtual machine through Parallels Desktop.
 * the new M1 and M2 Apple Silicon Macs no longer use Bootcamp, but you can
   install Windows in a virtual machine through Parallels Desktop, running
   Windows inside of your MacOS.  This can sometimes be challenging for
   high-graphics applications, but some students find this very workable. Some
   have difficulty.
 * Use our Virtual Desktop Workstations.  See next paragraph.

Your decision should be made based on your comfort and preference, and how much
you expect to be using these software.




Virtual Workstations:
Your laptop (any laptop) is only so capable.  On either Windows or Mac laptops,
the school provides Virtual Workstations for access to all of our common
software (and more) and to use very powerful computation for intense graphics
and data processing work, beyond what your laptop may be capable of.  All
students in our programs can connect to these, from both Mac and Windows
laptops, tablets, even phones (though that would be a small screen), allowing
all platforms as well as older or less-powerful computers the ability to access
CAD, GIS, and simulation software that your laptop otherwise might not be able
to handle.  This helps to ease the burden of buying the perfect and most
expensive laptop, and provides full access to software without having to install
it all locally on your own computer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: 
All computers brought must be able to run regular software.  Beyond the ability
to connect to the Virtual Workstations, an iPad, Chromebook, or other device
that cannot run a full Windows or Macintosh Operating System and cannot install
regular software will likely not be adequate.

FOR DESIGN STUDENTS:

 * A large external monitor screen is highly recommended to put on your studio
   desk to extend your laptop.  Design students find large screens helpful for
   graphics and CAD work.  This is optional, but strongly recommended.  Monitor
   options are available with your CAV Program purchase.
 * We recommend students rebuild / clean up their computer at the beginning of
   each year.
 * Since many computers bought today cannot be upgraded later, please consider
   purchasing enough RAM to last you four years.  This is built into our
   specifications on this page.

REQUIRED COMPUTER SPECIFICATION

REQUIRED COMPUTER SPECIFICATION

This configuration is suitable to effectively work with the most common graphics
software packages used in the school.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPEC 1 - DESIGN AND GIS / GRAPHICS WORK

(see Selecting the Right Computer above for which levels and disciplines this
applies to)

Laptop Computer

 * 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 or 2.2 GHz+ i9 processor or better; Windows or Mac
   or Apple M1 or M2 Series Mac
 * Windows 10+ or Mac OS 11+
 * 16 GB RAM  (32 is better if you can afford it)
 * Dedicated Graphics Card, 4GB VRAM or more (not "integrated" or "shared"
   graphics)
   * the GPU cores onboard Apple M-series machines are good for this.
   * "Machines with 'lite' or 'air' in the name or have a very thin form factor
     will likely have Intel HD graphics and should be avoided" (see second note
     below)
   * Pro Graphics work requires a Pro Graphics machine.  Yes this costs more.
 * 15" screen or larger is recommended.
   * You can find powerful 12"-13" machines that can do the work, but the screen
     is just small for graphics, and most students want the larger screen.
   * You might also consider 4K or better resolution as an upgrade from 1080p.
      1080p is workable, but many students prefer the sharper display for
     graphics work.
 * 250 GB hard drive (or larger).  
   * SSD (solid state) or Flash drives are best.

see this note (Rhino), this note (Rhino), and this note (ArcGIS) from commonly
used application vendors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPEC 2 - STANDARD USE

(see Selecting the Right Computer above for which levels and disciplines this
applies to)

 * 1.6 GHz or better Intel Dual-Core i5 or better processor; Windows or
   Macintosh
   or Apple M-series.
 * Windows 10+ or Mac OS 11+ 
 * 8 GB RAM (consider 16 or more for longevity)
 * 250 GB hard drive


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**RECOMMENDED FOR ALL COMPUTERS**

 * Wireless Network (this is standard on laptops)
 * 3-button mouse
 * 3- or 4-year warranty strongly recommended (included in CAV program machines)
 * Accessories: Cable lock, surge protector power strip
 * External Hard Drive (USB) for backups of your computer and files.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENT

ALL SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE:

 * Microsoft Office (FREE to students through the UVA Software Gateway)
 * Adobe Creative Cloud  (Subscription, $159/yr, purchase exclusively through
   Cavalier Computers.  This is a special contract price through UVA.  Do not
   purchase elsewhere if you want this price.)

Computers purchased through the CAV Program will include options for these at
time of purchase.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE

Additional software may be required by other courses.  Some software is free,
like the entire Autodesk (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.) suite.  Some must be bought.  

The most common additional software for Architecture and Landscape Architecture
design students are:

 * Rhino (a 3D CAD modeling program, $95), which can be purchased and included
   in the box when you buy through the CAV Program
 * V-Ray (a rendering program for Rhino, $99 per year, purchased separately).  

If other software is required, information will be provided in course syllabi.

A list of software available to students, along with links to download or
purchase, is below.

The University also provides utilities, such as for virus protection and a VPN
for off-grounds access, for free to students.  See the UVA Software Gateway for
details.

THE CAV PROGRAM

The School of Architecture partners with UVA Cavalier Computers to offer a line
of pre-configured computers for students to purchase under the CAV Program.

Students choose from several computer configurations built by the School of
Architecture to meet our computer requirement, including software needed for
School of Architecture programs.

The CAV Program computers offer the following benefits to students:

 * Pre-configured computers that meet the School of Architecture's computer
   requirement
 * Competetive educational pricing through the UVA Bookstore / Cavalier
   Computers
 * Apple, Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft platforms available
 * Microsoft Office pre-installed (under UVA educational contract pricing)
 * UVA customizations pre-installed
 * Option for Adobe Creative Cloud, included in the box (UVA student license
   pricing, select at checkout)
 * Option for Rhino included in the box (Student license pricing, select at
   checkout)
 * 3- or 4-year system warranty included (option to select which)
 * Accidental Damage warranty included.

Additional benefits:

 * Warranty service directly on-campus through Cavalier Computers
 * A free loaner computer while yours is being fixed
 * A restore-disk to get you right back to day-one with all included software,
   in the event of an emergency.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADDITIONAL SERVICES:

Cavalier Computers also provides for fee assistance services including:

 * Windows OS installation (for BootCamp Apple computers)
 * Individual software installation service - help installing your software
 * Personal Backup service - installation and setup of a personal backup for
   your computer

See the CAV Program Page at Cavalier Computers for details.
Choose Architecture to see the options configured for you.

 * CAV PROGRAM PAGE


RELATED LINKS

 * IT Request Form
 * SOFTWARE RESOURCES
 * Resources


NEWS & EVENTS




 * UVA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE — FINAL EXERCISES 2023
   
   Other
   Campbell, Lawn and Memorial Gym
   05.19 - 05.21
   Various Times


 * BIOPHILIC CITIES PATHWAYS: A CONVERSATION WITH DR. JODI HILTY FROM THE
   YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON (Y2Y) INITIATIVE
   
   Other
   Virtual, on Zoom
   05.23
   3PM - 4PM (EDT)


 * SPOTLIGHT ON THE A-SCHOOL'S RECENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
   
   Feature
   05.11.23

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