Laptop Recommendation

The Department of Art + Design Student Laptop Recommendation enables students to be better prepared and equipped for their studies in the Department of Art + Design.

The Department of Art + Design does not require students to take advantage of the Apple or Dell laptops, but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. By purchasing the recommended laptop, you can be assured that your computer will be using the same version of software and will function as needed.

Apple or Dell laptop information is available through myNeu student portal at www.myneu.neu.edu.

Apple Laptop Configuration and Pricing

The recommended Apple laptop configuration for Art + Design students is described below.

When placing an Apples Back to School order on-line, please make sure that MacBook Pro and iPod Touch are on the same order to qualify.

MacBook Pro
15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
250GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD�R DL/DVD�RW/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro (w/or w/o Display) - Auto-enroll

To purchase this laptop, please visit www.myneu.neu.edu. Login and click on the Self-Service tab. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and choose the Northeastern University Apple Store link. Click on the only link that is in the new window that pops up. You will then be in the Northeastern University Apple Store. Click on the "Recommended Systems� icon on the upper right side of the page. Complete your purchase by following the purchasing instructions provided.

For any purchasing questions regarding these laptops, please contact Jerry Mortensen via email at jmortensen@apple.com.

Dell Laptop Configuration and Pricing

The recommended Dell laptop configuration for Art + Design students is described below.

Inspiron
15.6-inch Glossy Widescreen Display
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB, DDR2, 800MHz 2 Dimm
320G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Basic Edition
Dell Hardware Warranty Service for Initial Year and 2 Years Extended

To purchase this laptop, please visit www.myneu.neu.edu . Login and click on the Self-Service tab. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and choose the Northeastern University Dell Store link. Click on the only link that is in the new window that pops up. You will then be in the Northeastern University Dell Store. Click on the "CUSTOM BUILT BY YOU! CLICK HERE FOR FULL CATALOG� on the center of the page. Then Click on �Laptops� on the left hand-side menu. Then click on the �Inspiron Laptops�. Complete your purchase by following the purchasing instructions provided.

For any purchasing questions regarding Dell laptops, please contact Dell Higher Education Account Manager, Christine Stewart at Christine_Stewart@dell.com.

Software Information and Options

There are several software packages recommended for Art + Design students. They can be purchased on-line at significant educational discounts through the links provided below.

Highly recommended software includes the Adobe Design Standard (v. 4.0) which includes: In Design, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Flash and Dreamweaver. You can purchase Microsoft Office and other software and hardware at discounted prices through a link on the myNeu Self Service tab.

For any purchasing questions regarding the Adobe Design Standard (v. 4.0), please contact Jonathan Williams, the CDW-G Higher Education Account Manager at jonathan.williams@cdwg.com or 1-866-743-5681.

Alternative solutions for Art + Design majors

1. Order the recommended MacBook Pro and additional software to run both Apple and Microsoft operating systems. Since Macintosh systems can run Windows XP or Vista, you can purchase additional software to enable multiple operating systems. The additional software needed to run Windows based applications include the purchase of Parallels and Vista software. Parallels should be purchased from the Software section under the Shop Mac menu bar of Northeastern University Apple Store website. The Apple Store can be accessed through the myNeu Self Service tab. Vista should be purchased from the E-Academy Northeastern University Store. Instructions for registering are available in the How to Register and Purchase from E-Academy Guide. Installation instructions for Parallels and Vista are provided in the Installing Parallels and Vista on Mac OS X . Parrallels will allow you to choose between the Mac OS X and Windows Vista operating systems.

Additionally you will need to purchase the Adobe Design Standard (v. 4.0) which includes: In Design, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Flash and Dreamweaver. Microsoft Office is not required, as you can do word processing in Adobe InDesign. However, you can purchase Microsoft Office and other software and hardware at discounted prices through the myNeu Self Service tab.

2. Order the required software separately and install on an existing laptop that meets the minimum requirement standard of the recommended Apple MacBook Pro or Dell Inspiron above . Purchase the Adobe Design Standard (v. 4.0) which includes: In Design, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Flash and Dreamweaver. Microsoft Office is not required, as you can do word processing in Adobe InDesign. However, you can purchase Microsoft Office and other software and hardware at discounted prices through the myNeu Self Service tab.

Technical Support

For technical support you can contact your friendly representatives on campus. Northeastern students will be provided with a standard NU account. Printing is available at the NU Snell Library InfoCommons and Department of Art + Design Computer Labs.

Dana Chard : chard.d@neu.edu

You can also contact your friendly department representative:

Ken Fye: k.fye@neu.edu

For information on the Department of Art + Design Computer Labs, please visit our Computers Labs and our Electronic Studio Support Forum.