Computer Requirements

All freshman and transfer students must have a personal computer. This is a university-wide requirement to help ensure that students can succeed in a high-tech world. VCU has set minimum recommendations for student computers, which are fine for Mass Comm students. You can meet the requirement by buying an IBM-compatible PC or a Macintosh.

If you are debating whether to buy a PC or a Mac, here are factors to consider:

Macintosh computers are the standard in the advertising industry and in graphic design. So if you plan to pursue an advertising career, we suggest you buy a Mac.
In most newsrooms, reporters and editors use PCs. So if you plan to practice journalism, either electronic or print, you should consider getting a PC.

VCU has purchasing agreements with Apple, Dell and Gateway to help students get good prices on computers. Online@VCU, the University computer store, sells systems from companies such as Apple, Twinhead Computers and Dell that meet or exceed the VCU requirements.

The bottom line: In the communications fields, you probably will encounter — and need to know about — both computer platforms. That is why the school has PC and Mac labs.

The key to success is not the kind of computer you have, but your technological flexibility — including the ability to move from one platform and operating system to another. This is increasingly easy to do, as Macs can read IBM-formatted disks; most programs have Mac versions and PC versions; and files can always be saved in “common denominator” formats.