Computer System Requirements

To participate in IBDE, students must have a computer that meets the following requirements:

Windows Systems:

  • AMD or Intel processor with CPU speed of 2.0 GHz or more
  • Windows XP with Service Pack 3: 1 GB of RAM
    OR
    Windows Vista and Windows 7: 2 GB of RAM

Note on RAM: Less RAM will result in students experiencing increased frustration levels due to longer load times and the inability to have numerous programs and software running concurrently especially with regard to any graphics editing programs.

  • 9.3 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)
  • Video display as follows:
    • 1280x800 display with qualified hardware-accelerated OpenGL graphics card, 16-bit color, and 256 MB of VRAM
    • Some GPU-accelerated features require graphics support for Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0
  • DVD drive
  • Headset with microphone to participate in LIVE classroom sessions
  • Internet connection: high speed or cable connection
    (On dial up? Please contact us.) Dial-up connections will result in difficulty partaking in LIVE classroom sessions in Blackboard as well as receiving online remote assistance from instructors and downloading various programs and zip files.

Mac Systems:

  • Multicore Intel processor
  • Mac OS X v10.5.8 or v10.6
  • 1 GB of RAM or more recommended

Note on RAM: Less RAM will result in students experiencing increased frustration levels due to longer load times and the inability to have numerous programs and software running concurrently especially with regard to any graphics editing programs.

  • 10.3 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)
  • Video display as follows:
    • 1280x800 display with qualified hardware-accelerated OpenGL graphics card, 16-bit color, and 256MB of VRAM
    • Some GPU-accelerated features require graphics support for Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0
    • Some features in Adobe Bridge rely on a DirectX 9–capable graphics card with at least 64MB of VRAM
  • DVD drive
  • Headset with microphone to participate in LIVE classroom sessions
  • Internet connection: high speed or cable connection
    (On dial up? Please contact us.) Dial-up connections will result in difficulty partaking in LIVE classroom sessions in Blackboard as well as receiving online remote assistance from instructors and downloading various programs and zip files.

Other optional equipment could include:

  • Scanner
  • Printer
  • Web Cam
  • Digital Camera