Media Computers

COMPUTER NEEDS | FALL 2010

Though it is not necessary to purchase a computer for this program, owning your own has distinct advantages. Having your own computer at your disposal allows you to work outside of regular lab hours. And, you will be working many hours outside of lab.

Here I am recommending a laptop and a desktop. Since we will be working primarily in Final Cut Pro, it is necessary to own an Apple computer, one that can handle video. These recommendations were made for the Fall of 2010. Use these as a baseline guide.

For Laptops I recommend the MacBook Pro. It has the necessary Firewire 800 connection and HD graphics card. Make sure you choose a hard drive with a spin of 7200 RPMs.

LAPTOP

MACBOOK PRO 17″
2.66GHz Intel Core i7
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2X2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 17-inch Hi-Resolution Glossy Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) & User’s Guide
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro (w/or w/o Display) – Auto-enroll
Under $2600 with 3 year warranty

For Desktops I am going to recommend iMac. It is not as convenient as laptop but it is less expensive and more powerful.

DESKTOP

iMac 27″ (best deal)
2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2x2GB
1TB Serial ATA Drive
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
8x double-layer SuperDrive
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (English) and User’s Guide
AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac – Auto-enroll
Under $2200 with 3 year warranty

You can purchase online at the Apple store. Click the Educational Store in Left panel. Use the College’s zip code 03246. The college is listed under the old name (New Hampshire Community Technical College). Click purchase for yourself.
–OR–
You could print out these descriptions and take them to any Apple store. You will need a college ID or a letter from the college stating that you are currently enrolled in classes. You can get this letter in Student Services.