Computer Requirements
The Department of Geography, Planning and Environment (DGPE), similar to many other ECU departments, is requiring students to purchase a computer when entering the program. The goal here is to provide students with computers capable of working on geospatial and visual data where high computational and graphical processing requirements are the norm. We are also cognizant of the current health conditions associated with the pandemic. To address these uncertain times, ECU has developed a new schedule and adapted its teaching environment whereby students might be in hybrid or online courses, both of which require “portability” and flexibility as students are asked to work on and off campus. The DGPE does not want to create hardship for students and if there are any questions regarding the advised specifications below, we ask the student to reach out to their advisor for guidance or use the contact form to the right.
The first table provides desirable computer specifications and justifications depending on your existing or intended program of study. Below that are example laptop models that maximize the amount of computing power per the amount of money invested. Any software required for classes will be available through ECU at no cost or reduced cost for students to install on their system. While our goal is not to restrict students from purchasing/using a MacBook or other Apple device, we do discourage the purchase/use of MacBooks or other Apple computers as they are generally incompatible with software required for our programs. Additionally, the recently announced switch to a new Apple proprietary chip and ARM architecture in the next generation of their computers means current models will likely loose support and security updates long before the hardware wears out. The DGPE and ECU are by no means promoting a particular company or brand. We encourage you to go to a direct provider or computer store when making your purchase. The current offerings at the ECU bookstore do not meet our minimum requirements due to the specialized software we use in our courses.
| Item | High Option | Basic Option | Justification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (Pro Preferred) | Windows 10 (Pro Preferred) | Most software is only compatible with Windows operating systems. Pro provides advanced security and management capabilities. |
| CPU Cores | ≥6-core | ≥6-core | Many modern processors fit this requirement. Many i7 Intel CPUs fall into this category, however AMDs Ryzen 7 & 9 CPUs offer more cores and performance at a lower price. |
| RAM | 16-32GB | 16GB (2x8GB) | 16 GB RAM is a minimum for DGPE software. The High option provides a range as few laptop models offer 32GB from the factory and additional RAM will need to be installed to reach 32GB, and is recommended for heavy processing associated with the High option use case. |
| Dedicated Graphics Card | Nvidia 2060 w/ 6GB GDDR6 | Nvidia 1660 w/ 6GB GDDR6 | 16 GB RAM is a minimum for DGPE software. The High option provides a range as few laptop models offer 32GB from the factory and additional RAM will need to be installed to reach 32GB, and is recommended for heavy processing associated with the High option use case. |
| Storage Drive | ≥1TB SSD | ≥512GB SSD | SSDs are recommended to increase data transfer and processing speeds. Processing large datasets from HDD adds considerable time to processing, and can contribute to shortened storage drive longevity. Large storage space is mandatory as datasets, and files produced during processing can take several GB per run. More is always better for DGPE data storage. Additional drives are also preferred either internal or external. |
| Expected Use | High option is for students that will be working in 3D modeling, Lidar data processing, point clouds, large GIS projects, etc. | Basic option is geared towards average GIS work with less focus on modeling and point cloud processing. |
Example Models that Meet the Requirements
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| ASUS – ROG & TUF Gaming Laptops (particularly Zephyrus G14 or G15) | From $1099 |
| Dell G Series Gaming Laptops | From $1149 |
| Lenovo Legion Series Gaming Laptops | From $1299 |
| Razer Blade series Gaming Laptops | $1399-2999 |
* Pricing is subject to change. Current as of 7/10/2020
* Many Mid-grade and High-end gaming laptops offer the required specifications *