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Student Computing
Recommendations and Requirements

CCA highly recommends that all students own a personal computer to assist in their studies. Whether or not a discipline of study is driven by digital technology, students will benefit greatly from having continuous computing access to support research, communication, and studio practice. For students who have selected a major, we generally recommend a laptop computer because of their mobility.

For more info, please see:

Computer Hardware Recommendations Overview

CCA recommends that all students wait until they have selected a major (typically, Year 2) before making a major computer purchase. The reason we recommend this is because hardware needs vary greatly depending on a student's chosen major. For example, the hardware needs of an Architecture student are far greater than the hardware needs of a Writing student. We also recommend this approach because computers are constantly improving to meet the growing demands of the newest software. Purchasing a new computer prior to entering your major will ensure you have the latest, most advanced hardware.

The following systems represent minimum hardware configurations for certain CCA Programs. You may choose to configure your laptop with larger or faster components (e.g. faster processor, additional memory, larger hard disk, larger screen, etc.).

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First-Year Program Recommendations & Requirements

Computer Recommendation
CCA recommends that incoming freshmen own a computer that meets the minimum system requirements for the software used in the First-Year curriculum:

  • Intel multicore processor
  • 1GB of RAM
  • A hard drive with at least 50GB of free space (more recommended)
  • DVD-ROM drive
  • Ethernet Port
  • Wireless 802.11a/g/n compatible network card
  • Mac OS X operating system (recommended)*

*Mac OS X is needed to run Apple iLife suite, which is part of the First-Year curriculum. iLife is available for student use in all CCA shared computer labs. However, we cannot guarantee that a lab workstation will always be available, particularly during peak usage times.

Software Recommendation

  • Adobe CS5 Design Premium bundle, or newer
  • Apple iLife '09, or newer
  • Microsoft Office
  • PLEASE NOTE: For students planning to major in the Film Program, we recommend you substitute the Adobe CS5 Production Premium bundle for the Adobe CS5 Design Premium bundle

The Adobe CS5 Design Premium bundle and Microsoft Office can be purchased at discounted rates through CCA's online software shop: http://technology.cca.edu/store/software.php

Apple iLife can be purchased through the CCA custom apple store: http://technology.cca.edu/store/apple.php

External Storage Device Requirement
The First-Year Program requires that all students purchase an external hard drive prior to starting classes. The First-Year curriculum expects students to create digital-based work that will require a large amount of storage. The drive will continue to be a valuable resource as a backup drive or expanded storage drive after the completion of the first year of instruction. For recommendations on specific devices, please see the External Storage Device Recommendations section below.

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Computer Recommendations for Majors

Mac OS X Laptop Recommendation
The Architecture (BArch and MArch), Graphic Design, Graduate Design, Interior Design, Interaction Design, and Industrial Design programs all require laptops. We recommend the following specification for use in these and most other programs where graphic-intensive work is required in the curriculum:

  • 15.4" MacBook Pro - Hi-Res Anti-glare screen
  • 2.2Ghz Quad-core Intel Core i7
  • 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
  • 500GB Serial ATA hard disk @ 7200 RPM
  • Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display
  • AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB GDDR5
  • SuperDrive 8x
  • 3-year AppleCare Protection Plan

Apple MacBook Pro Academic Price: $2,553.00
CCA Special Discounted Price: $2,503.00
This system is only available for purchase at the discounted price in CCA's Online Apple Store.

Windows OS Alternative Laptop (for BArch, MArch, and Interior Design majors)
As the software required in the Architecture, Graduate Architecture, and Interior Design curriculums are heavily Windows-based, the following alternative custom HP laptop is offered for students who prefer to invest in a Windows-only laptop vs. a MacBook Pro laptop:

  • 15.6" HP EliteBook 8560w Mobile Workstation
  • Intel Core i7-2630QM Processor (2.0Ghz, 6MB L3 Cache)
  • 8GB 1333 DDR3 Memory - 2x4GB
  • 500GB Serial ATA hard disk @ 7200 RPM
  • LED backlit FHD Antiglare screen
  • ATI FirePro M5950 graphics with 1GB GDDR5 memory
  • DVD+/-RW SuperMulti Drive with dual layer
  • 3-year parts and labor warranty

HP EliteBook 8560w Academic Price: $2,870.00
CCA Special Discounted Price: $1,549.00
This system is only available for purchase at the discounted price in CCA's Online HP Store.

Design in MBA (DMBA) Strategy Recommendations
The Design in MBA Strategy Program requires computer ownership of all students. Customized HP notebook, tablet, and netbook systems are available in CCA's HP web store at special pricing, as well as a custom MacBook Air system in CCA's Apple web store.

Film Program Recommendations
While the Film Program offers lab computers and editing suites, students are strongly encouraged to purchase their own laptop. We recommend the following minimum specification in a laptop:

  • 17" (preferred) or 15.4" MacBook Pro
  • Hi-Res Anti-glare screen
  • Quad-core Intel Core i7
  • 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
  • Serial ATA hard disk, minimum 500GB @ 7200 RPM
  • Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display
  • AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB GDDR5, or better
  • SuperDrive 8x
  • 3-year AppleCare Protection Plan

The Film Program also requires or recommends the following additional hardware and software:

  • TWO external FireWire-800 (not USB) hard drives (REQUIRED)
    • Students will use one for file storage and the other for backup.
    • Minimum 750GB each
    • Minimum 7200 RPM
    • Minimum of TWO FireWire-800 ports
    • Recommend Mercury Elite drives (which can be purchased online from Other World Computing or drives from GLYPH technologies. Please keep in mind that ALL hard drives are subject to unexpected failure.
  • Multi-format USB2 card reader capable of reading SDHC, SDXC, and CF cards
  • One or more 32GB SDHC cards, minimum Class 10
  • Adobe CS5.5 Production Premium bundle
  • Professional quality headphones

Selecting a Mac or a Windows Computer (for Architecture, Interior Design, and Industrial Design majors only)
CCA's computer labs run exclusively Mac hardware, with almost all lab computers able to dual-boot into either Mac OS X or Windows OS. Most of our back-end systems are also Mac-based, though CCA's networked resources can be accessed from both OSes. Most courses teach using Mac-compatible software. Because of this emphasis, the ETS computing staff specialize in Mac OS support.

For Architecture, Interior Design, and Industrial Design majors, there are a few factors to consider in the selection of a Mac vs. Windows laptop:

  • Cost. Unless you already own a Windows OS license, you will have to pay for the full-version (not the upgrade) of Windows at the commercial retail price (about $300) if you purchase a Mac. Microsoft only sells the upgrade version of Windows at an academic price.
  • Workflow. Some required software in the Architecture, Interior Design, and Industrial Design curriculums are only available for Windows, or are being beta-tested on the Mac (e.g. AutoCAD and Rhino). Given the hardware requirements for such applications, we do not recommend using virtualization software like Parallels or VMWare because virtual machines do not support 3D hardware graphics acceleration. We recommend that you purchase software for the operating system you plan to use in your workflow. You can install both Mac OS X and Windows on a Mac, though if you're running software that's only available on either the Mac OS X or Windows, you may need to reboot into either OS X or Windows in order to take full advantage of the Mac's hardware graphics acceleration.
  • Support and Repairs. You can schedule support and repairs for Apple computers by online appointment with the Apple Genius Bar at any Apple retail store. There are three Apple retail stores in San Francisco and one in Emeryville, near the CCA Oakland campus. Apple also provides telephone support. Support and repairs for HP computers is done via telephone support with HP.
  • Viruses and Maintenance. There are tens of thousands of viruses (growing every day) that can infect a Windows OS. There are few (if any) that can infect Mac OS X. Spyware and Adware is necessary in Windows but not needed in Mac OS X. Security patches for Windows can be complex and arise frequently. Security updates in Mac OS X are relatively simple and arise infrequently. CCA provides a free download of Sophos Anti-Virus software for every current student, faculty and staff member for Windows and Mac OS X.

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External Storage Device Recommendations

CCA highly recommends that students own an external hard drive for backup and storage of digital work. When working with high-resolution image files, motion graphics and video files, a great deal of storage space is needed, as well as a drive that spins fast enough to push and pull real-time data. A laptop's internal hard drive won't sufficiently compensate for the demands of some of CCA's digital-based coursework.

We recommend an external storage device that has:

  • Multiple connection interfaces, such as Firewire 800, Firewire 400 and USB 2.0 and/or eSATA
  • At least 1 terabyte (TB) of storage space
  • Disk speed of at least 5400 RPM (faster is better)
  • Sufficient cooling system
  • Ability to connect to Mac OS and Windows OS

Here is a list of external storage devices that suit our recommendations:

  • G-Tech 1TB Portable Hard Drive
  • LaCie 1TB d2 Quadra Hard Disk
  • Western Digital 1 or 2 TB My Book Studio II Hard Drive

Each of these drives costs under $200 and can be purchased from various retailers, including the Apple retail store and Amazon.com.

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Support for Student-Owned Laptops

Educational Technology Services (ETS) staff can provide troubleshooting assistance and support for student-owned laptops with:

  • Printing to selected campus printers
  • Utilizing the campus wireless network
  • Utilizing CCA dedicated network file storage

Unfortunately, due to the variety of issues that could cause a personally-owned computer to experience problems with the campus IT services listed above, we cannot guarantee that your issue will always be resolved.

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Printing from Laptops

Need to print from your laptop to a lab or library printer?
Find Out How »

CCA Laptop Support

Need tips or guidance with your laptop?
Get Help »

Apple Support Reservations

Having technical problems with your laptop? Get hands-on help at your local Apple store "Genius Bar":
Downtown-SF Store »
Emeryville Store »
Stonestown-SF Store »
Chestnut Street-SF Store »