Purchasing a Laptop Computer
The Department requires all LARP Students to have their own Windows compatible laptop computer. Netbook and most tablets do not have enough capacity for the minimum software programs required by LARP computer course work. Therefore, owning a laptop is a departmental requirement as well as an academic investment.
Many incoming students inquire about what type of laptop, brand or platform the department recommends. As a student in our department, you will be spending a majority of your time on your computer you should design it to meet your individual needs and preferences. This document intends to be a helpful guide & collection of relevant information.
Computer purchases may be incorporated into your Financial Aid package. Please see the "Appeal for Cost of Attendance Increase" to request an appeal to an increase to your cost of attendance at UMass for computer/computer equipment expenses
PC or Mac?
LARP computer course work involves mapping and graphics software programs. Most of these programs run on both Windows (found in PCs) an iOS (found in Macs) operating systems. However, there are a some software programs, such as Esri ArcGIS Pro and Lumion, that only run on a Windows operating system. If you purchase a Mac, you are required to install the Windows system using Boot Camp Assistant, Parallels, or VMware Fusion. These utilities require large drives, so please purchase a MacBook Pro, not a MacBook Air.
You are required to have a mouse.
An external display screen (22" minimum) is an optional purchase.
Hardware
Mapping and graphics software programs require a high level of processing speed and file sizes are large. Therefore, when you are buying a laptop, please invest in the fastest processor, the most RAM, and largest Hard Drive you can afford. No student has ever complained that their laptop is too fast.
We recommend the following hardware standards:
- Processor: Newest Generation Available, 3.1 GHz or greater
- Memory: 8GB RAM Minimum; 16 GB Recommended
- Storage: 500GB HDD Minimum; 1TB HDD Recommended
- Additional Storage: Smaller SSD Drives and/or External Hard Drives up to 250GB
- Graphics Cards: 2GB Minimum; 4GB - 8 GB Recommended
- Wireless Network Card
- Ports: HDMI (Universally Accepted A/V) or USB-C (Accompanied with USB-C Port Hub Accessory)
BSLA, MLA, and MRP students will require high levels of computing capacity, because of their studio intensive curriculum and graphics needs. BSSCD students may be able to start more modestly in terms of RAM and hard drive space and add memory capacity during their program.
Software
A table of required software for each program is included below. You are required to purchase the software listed, as these will be the programs that will be used in your classes. However, individual courses may have additional software associated with them, and you will be informed of this in your syllabus.
Major |
Microsoft Office |
Adobe Creative Cloud (Latest Version) |
Rhino 8 |
AutoCAD |
ArcGIS Pro |
Google Earth Pro |
AntiVirus Software |
BSLA |
|||||||
| Freshmen | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sophomore | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Junior | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Senior | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BSSCD |
|||||||
| Freshmen | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Sophomore | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Junior | Yes | No | No | No | Yes* | Yes* | Yes |
| Senior | Yes | No | No | No | Yes* | Yes* | Yes |
MLA |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
MRP |
Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Cost-Estimate** |
Free | $20/month | $195/year | Free to students through educational access | Free to students through educational access | Free to students through educational access | Free to students through educational access |
*Depending on concentration: please discuss with your program director. **Cost Estimates are for educational pricing and only used as a guide.
Free Software Downloads
- ArcGIS Pro (FREE 1 yr license code will be provided for you by your class instructor)
- AutoCAD
- Google Earth Pro
- Rhino 8
- UMass IT free downloads (See for Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and more)
Optional Software Downloads
Additional software some of our students have used include:
Students are entitled to discounts on hardware and software. Be aware that “special student pricing” does not always give the best value for the money or an educational discount. Talk to other LARP students and share your experiences.
Computer Labs
The Design Building Computer Lab (Room 260) has desktop computers with a full suite of software including Microsoft Office, Adobe CC, ArcGIS Pro, AutoCAD, and other rendering programs. (See a full list of software installed on computers in our classrooms.) More desktop computers are located in Room 235 and the Printing/Plotting Lab (Room 260A) which contains a black & white printer, a color printer, and two highspeed plotters. These labs are open to all students in the department.
We also share a GIS Lab (Morrill III 212.) with Geosciences, Forestry, and Wildlife Management.
There are computer classrooms (both PC and Mac) throughout the University campus run by UMass IT. Each classroom has either a black and white or color printer available to Pay-for-Prints. Learn more about UMass IT computer classroom locations and hours here.
Wireless Internet (Eduroam) is available to UMass students throughout the campus.
UMass Computer Account
Students are expected to have an UMass computer account. This provides e-mail and Internet access from any machine that has a direct (Ethernet) connection or a wireless connection.
Information regarding UMass ID/Accounts can be found at https://www.umass.edu/it/accounts.
UMass Student Emails
Official correspondence is sent to your UMass email address. These may include job postings, scholarship opportunities, event reminders and other important academic correspondence.
Students are responsible for checking their UMass email on a regular basis or ensure proper forwarding.
Campus Computer & Technology Resources
UMass Information Technology (IT)
UMass students have access to many FREE services at UMass Information Technology (IT) not limited to downloads, workshops, guides, and online training. Most services are free or at a substantial discount. They are certified hardware professionals and have a help desk for software. There is also hardware support/repairs for additional fees.
For IT support, please visit https://www.umass.edu//it/get-help or contact IT at it@umass.edu or 413-545-9400. You may be asked for your name, NetID and SPIRE #. No one from the University, IT or the Department will ever ask for your password.
LARP Digital TA
Each semester the department hires Graduate students as Digital Media Teaching Assistants to help LARP students and studios with computer, printing, software, and other technology related activities. Their contact information and scheduled office hours will be shared at the beginning of the semester and posted on the department website's Resources page.
Library
The Learning Commons at the W. E. B. Du Bois Library has multiple computer resources and is open 24 hours during the academic year. Learn more about library services here.
You may also contact the LARP Librarian, Madeleine Charney: mcharney@library.umass.edu