The School of Communication includes majors from the following departments:
Platform & Operating System
A platform of which the student feels most comfortable is recommended however those looking to work in video production, graphic design, multimedia design, or interactive media should consider choosing a computer with the Mac Operating System (Apple), as it is more industry-prevalent.
Computer Specifications
The need for mobility is increasingly important. Therefore, the department recommends that the student purchases a laptop.Following the “New Advanced” specifications for a laptop should adequately meet a student’s needs throughout their academic program. A computer should include a built-in webcam as video conferencing and the need to record video is being increasingly utilized in coursework.
The use of netbooks, chrome books, tablets, iPads, or other low-end systems as a primary device are strongly discouraged. A desktop computer is also discouraged as it will create an undesirable limitation on the student’s productivity.
A computer with the following specs will meet the needs of most students in the School of Communication.
- Current generation Intel, AMD, or Apple Processor
- Minimum of 16GB memory
- Minimum of 500+GB SSD storage
- A 3 or 4 year warranty that includes Accidental Damage coverage
Models sold at TechZone that meet these requirements are found at the end of this page. More advanced models can be found by selecting home at the top of the screen.
TechZone recommends a primary computing device with a full-featured Windows or Mac operating System. Chromebooks, iPads, and some entry-level Windows devices are not sufficient for all needs across the University but can be used as secondary devices.
Software Recommendation
The university provides the Microsoft Office365 suite of software, in both online and locally installable versions, plus the equally paramount Adobe Creative Suite, at no extra cost. The result is that potential employers know our graduates will have experience with these two industry-leading platforms.
Office365 is a service, available to all faculty, staff and students at Illinois State University. It allows you to:
- Access your email and files from anywhere, on any device
- Store your files in the University-connected OneDrive cloud, for anywhere-access to your stuff
- Download the latest version of Microsoft Office for installation on your laptop or desktop computer
- Install the Microsoft Office App on your mobile devices
- Access Microsoft Office Online (a simplified version of Microsoft Office) even on systems that do not have Microsoft Office installed.
Need assistance installing Microsoft Office? Visit TechZone Service Center in the Bone Student Center for in person assistance or watch either of the following videos: Windows or MacOS
Adobe Creative Cloud is available to students, request access at Adobe at ISU
Additional Information
Lab Time and Computer Availability
Any of our media production students (Mass Media, Journalism, and to some extent Public Relations) should expect to spend at least 5 hours per week in labs (computer, TV, or Radio labs) to complete coursework, beginning at the 100-level.Students in other programs (Communication Studies and to some extent Public Relations) may be less dependent on labs and more dependent on their personally owned laptops.
Computer Recommendations
A computer that is less than four years old and under-warranty is highly recommended. Maintaining warranties greatly reduces the disruptions and inconveniences that a student may experience.
