Computing Requirement for All DXARTS BFA Students
Students admitted into the DXARTS BFA program must have a current generation Apple professional laptop computer, such as a MacBook Pro or PowerBook G4 (minimum specs: 1.5GHz processor, OSX 10.4, 512MB of memory, 80 GB storage). Suitable PowerBook and MacBook models are listed on Apple’s DXARTS website. Although it is not required that non-majors have an approved laptop, we highly recommend that non-majors acquire one for work and study in DXARTS courses.
The Apple DXARTS website offers educational discounts on products and services, as well as specials specific for DXARTS majors. All DXARTS students should acquaint themselves with this site.
The requirement that majors in the new BFA program own an Apple professional laptop computer is based on the recognition of the computer as the "primary research instrument" in this demanding area of study. Though the computer does not eclipse imagination, creativity, or personal investment in your work in DXARTS, it is the primary tool which you will mediate, network, filter, organize, generate and process the majority of your work and other colleagues art work with and through. Many of you have substantial experience computing on a number of different platforms and operating systems, which is highly beneficial and expected of majors. However, we are requiring that you own a specific type of computer so that we can be sure you can run the software and hardware peripherals that will be extensively used in DXARTS courses, and because we believe that these particular computers currently offer the best combination of creative options for undergraduate experimental work in this field.
Also, beyond specific DXARTS course work, each major will be required to create an independent body of new experimental art outside of their standard course work supervised by faculty and doctoral mentors. The DXARTS BFA requires two 3-quarter course sequences that are based on individual research and creative work: Undergraduate Research Studio (taken early in your program) and the BFA Thesis (taken the last year of your program). Often this type of independent work gravitates toward the use of “live” computers as an integral part of installations, performances, and various kinds of shows and events. Many students will also collaborate with professionals in design, media, industry and the sciences to further explore the direction and focus of their independent work. In all of these venues (independent work, Research Studio, BFA Thesis, and other DXARTS courses), and throughout the matriculation towards your degree, we believe that the possession of a versatile and rugged portable computer as the central medium of your work is essential. Our experience with the Powerbook has proven it is the best machine in its class for the scope of undergraduate work you will be required to undertake.
From digital video and computer music production, to robotics and telematics, your laptop will be only one of many computers that you regularly use and have access to as a DXARTS major. However, your personal “machine” is a crucial part of your educational needs in this intensive experimental arts discipline, and it needs to communicate seamlessly with the larger network of computing and research equipment you will use and we provide for you, which is why we have chosen the Powerbook.
We clearly understand there is no single best computer for everything. At the same time we also recognize that as students you have practical needs, needs we believe are best met by this solution.
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