Student Computer Recommendations
The College recommends a laptop as the best type of computer for use by students while at MICA. Laptops take up the least amount of space in students' apartments, can be carried to class and provide mobile computing on the College's wireless network. If you are purchasing a new laptop computer, make certain it has a wireless network adapter as well as an Ethernet adapter so that it can be plugged directly into the network jack in your room and can also communicate with the College's wireless network. Bring along an Ethernet cable of at least 15 feet. You should be able to purchase a cable from Bestbuy or some other technology store for less than $15.
Computer Recommendations by Major
Graphic Design
If you plan to become a Graphic Design major, the recommended computer for that department is a Mac laptop. Buy the best computer within your budget. 2 GB of RAM should be the minimum. Get a model with a Superdrive so that you can write DVDs as well as CDs. Go to www.apple.com and choose the education store. When asked to select your college, choose Maryland Institute College of Art. You will see special discounts for college students.
Animation and Environmental Design
These two majors use software that is only available on the PC platform. Therefore, you should make certain you have a PC if you plan to enter one of these majors. We recommend buying a Dell computer. Laptops range in price from $700 to $2500. Look for specials as Dell runs these often. Upgrades or additional peripherals can often be gotten as parts of a special deal. Avoid laptops with Celeron processors since these will be less powerful. Look for Core-Duo or dual-core processors. Get at least 2 GB of RAM.
The software for animation requires a fairly powerful PC computer. Although students are not required to purchase this software, many do. Therefore, it is a good idea to get the best computer you can afford if you plan to become a computer animation major or get involved in 3D modeling on the computer. Get a computer with a good video card. A solid video card of 128-256 MB is an absolute requirement for a good 3D machine.
Environmental Design uses AutoCAD software. Again, students are not required to purchase this software on their own but some do.
Other Majors and General information
While at MICA, you will want a computer to access the College network and the Internet, to send email, write papers, do research, edit images and video and store music. Any up-to-date computer will suffice for these purposes. We do have the following recommendations:
- Mac Laptop 2 GB RAM or Dell Laptop with at least 2 GB RAM
- Wireless capability
- USB 2.0 or Firewire interface (for attaching cameras, external hard drives, scanners, etc)
- CD/DVD writable drive
- Windows XP/Vista on a PC
- OS X on a MAC
You might also want to have the following software:
- Microsoft Word or some other standard word processing software
- Adobe Photoshop or some other image editing software.
You should definitely install anti-virus software on your computer. This is VERY important since you will be connecting to a large network at MICA where the chances of coming in contact with a destructive virus are much greater than you might be used to working at home. Norton Anti-Virus and McAfee Anti-Virus are both excellent programs and should absolutely be installed on your computer.
If you have any questions about purchasing a computer for your use at MICA, please contact the Help Desk at 410-225-2291 or email help@mica.edu.
Buying a Laptop?
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The Apple Store
If you are buying a laptop, MICA recommends a Mac laptop. Go the the Apple Education Store and look at the special pricing for MICA students . 
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