Laptop Requirements 2008-2009

Apparently we got this "Architecture Order Form" from the University of Manitoba Bookstore Computer Centre in the mail...though I haven't received mine...however, I did receive an email about corrects and a link http://umanitoba.ca/bookstore/pdf/Architecture_Order_Form_2008_web.pdf was provided to view this form. It seems to be directed at both ED2 and ED3 students in the faculty. By the new curiculum, ED2 students are students that have been successfully admitted into the program and I would be an ED3. Now I feel ripped off and screwed over because the ED2 this year will be in a much more competent position than we are.

The form mentions the minimum computer requirements...

• 2.0 Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• RAM - 2GB
• Hard Disk - 120 GB
• Optical Drive - DVD Read/Write
• Screen Size - 13.3" @ 1280x800 resolution
• Wireless Networking (ISO 802.11 b/g or 802.11b/g/n)
• 3 year manufacturer's warranty

Software Requirements include...

• Adobe CS3 Premium - $369.95 ($30 cheaper than what I last saw at the store)
• MS Office 2007
• AutoCAD 2009 SV (Student Version?) - 13 month license - $179.95 (a recurring cost?)

Since the ED2's will be required AutoCAD, I'm thinking that they will be taught it in there Visual Media course...We seriously had WAY too many watercolouring classes! Drafting should have been 2.5 months, Drawing/Watercolour at only 2.5 months and then AutoCAD for 2.5 months and we could have had the choice whether to hand draft OR us CAD for our final studio projects. That was what we should have done. Maybe then I could have gotten a job in Infrastructure at CBSA and use the skills. I could have been an ATS officer rather than just Security. We certainly don't have an AutoCAD course in our course list. Will we be taught the ED2s? Will be taught at all? Either way, I'm not too pleased...unless my friend Jay got into the program, then that would be okay to have a class with him but if he still hasn't heard from them yet chances are he didn't make the list. He really should have taken more than the course he failed to try to boost up his GPA especially if he wasn't working. Perhaps computer usage or something like that but as a friend I can only advise...