Computer Recommendations

Effective Fall 2012

Technology is and will continue to be an important part of the educational experience.  A student will need to have access to a range of technologies as he or she moves through his or her program at Eastern.  In many cases the technology may not be used in class but it will be required to complete class assignments. 

Surveys reveal that most communication majors at Eastern have a personal computer.  To ensure that students have the technology they will need for their four years at Eastern, the department created technology requirements.  Meeting these requirements ensures that students have the computer technology needed for the Communication Studies program. 

Expected Computer Hardware

Beginning Fall 2012, all incoming students are expected to have a laptop computer that will run Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 or the most current Creative Suite version.  See http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/mastercollection/tech-specs.html for the specifications.  The department recommends that students have the technology that meets or exceeds the specifications outlined below:

  • A dual boot Apple Macbook Pro 15" for students in the Mass Communication option (Base model meets recommendations)
  • A dual boot Apple Macbook Pro 13" for students in the following options:  Communication, Society, and Popular Culture, Corporate Communication, Interpersonal Communication, or Public Relations (Base model meets recommendations)

Faculty in the department utilize the MacOS platform for course instruction and labs.

The department also recommends that all students purchase the following:

  • carrying case or laptop backpack;
  • the extended four-year warranty with accident protection;
  • either an external hard drive for backup or a remote backup service; and,
  • a digital camera that can take both still and basic video.  

In addition to the equipment outlined above, the department recommends that students in the Mass Communication option purchase the following.     

  • Two 32 gb SDHC class six SD cards for use in video cameras; and,
  • A two terabyte external hard drive for storing active projects.

Expected Computer Software

The department utilizes a number of software packages for both general classroom use and some specialty applications. The University provides students with access to the software outlined above through a virtual desktop arrangement paid for via student fees.  Students will be responsible for maintaining and upgrading the operating systems as required. 

All of the applications run on MacOS or Windows (except iLife).

Financial Assistance

It is frequently possible to obtain financial assistance to purchase a computer. The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 allow for the purchase of a personal computer and software costs to be added to a student’s educational expense budget that is used to determine financial aid eligibility. A budget increase does not necessarily result in additional financial aid to cover the cost. Students who have borrowed their annual or aggregate loan limits may not have eligibility remaining. You can contact the EIU Office of Financial Aid for further information at 217.581.6405.

A complete listing of hardware and software requirements, recommendations, and services are available on the full technology document.