The Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design
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Computer Requirements
Note: Updated May 2011
Interior Design students entering the second year of study are required to have their own laptop computer that meets or exceeds required minimum specifications. Because the requirements are updated each year, students might want to delay purchase of their laptop until their second year in order to have the most current technology when it is required.
Dell has an agreement with Kansas State University and we've made arrangements with Dell to setup bundles especially made for ID students. For both Dell and Apple computers, we recommend you take a look at the Union Computer Store. They have some good bundles on Dell and Apple hardware and good prices on academic licensed software for Windows and Mac OS.
Minimum requirements
K-State's recommendations for buying a new laptop apply with the following exceptions:
- K-State Antivirus Software installed (free to all faculty/staff/students, not necessary to buy), see instructions below
- Mac: You must install Apple’s Bootcamp for using dual-booting system and install Windows 7 Home Edition as an operation system (No VMware Fusion or Parallels)
Recommended Laptop
- Windows 7 Home Edition (64-bit)
- Intel Core i5 or faster
- 500 GB, 7200 rpm Hard Drive or better
- 512 MB Graphics Card or Higher
- 4 GB Memory minimum (6 GB highly recommended)
- Wireless and Wired network support
- DVD/RW capable optical drive
- 15" or larger built in display
- 3-Year Manufacturer warranty recommended
- External Mouse with 2-buttons (Optical mouse encouraged)
Required Applications
- Microsoft Office Suite - Office 2010 Pro Plus (Windows) or Office 2011 for Mac OS - $79.95
- Adobe CS5 - Design Standard CS5 for both Windows and Mac OS - $249.00 (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat 9 Pro and Adobe Device Central)
Free Downloads available online
Note: Not to be downloaded until instructor's request.
K-State Network Prerequisites and Antivirus Software
To use the campus wireless or wired network, there are security procedures and programs that need to be installed and adhered to. Please follow the instructions found on the College's Personal and Student Computer Connection Policy.
You will need to protect your laptop by installing antivirus software. As a student, you must download and install this for free at antivirus.k-state.edu.