Illini Apple Center :: Mac for Your Major

Suggested Computer

MacBook Pro

Fast processors, tons of RAM, large hard drives, powerful graphics cards and large widescreen displays make the MacBook Pro a mobile digital artist's best friend. Whether you're building complex publications with InDesign, editing RAW photos with Aperture, or creating original work in Photoshop, get your projects done anywhere with the MacBook Pro.

iMac

The desktop iMac line comes with major benefits: screaming fast 2.66 to 3.06 GHz dual-core processors, massive (up to 1TB) hard drives, beautiful 21.5" and 27" diagonal widescreen displays, and more affordable price tags than comparable laptops. If you want a well-priced desktop computer with a large screen, you’ll get the most bang for your buck with an iMac.

Suggested Accessories

Adobe Creative Suite 4

The industry leader in software for graphic and Web artists, Adobe's products are practically a must-have. Available in a variety of boxed sets so you can get the right programs without breaking the bank.

More information on Adobe software.

Wacom Tablet

Wacom's tablets bring the comfort of a pen to your workflow, from taking handwritten notes in class to creating original vector art in Adobe Illustrator. Think outside the mouse by designing with this tablet that feeds directly into many programs on your computer. Create intricate illustrations without scanning or instantly save your handwritten notes digitally to your desktop.

More information on the Wacom Tablet.

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Suggested Computer

13" MacBook or 13" MacBook Pro

When you’re working on lots of group projects and doing presentations, you need portability. Weighing between 4.5 and 5 pounds, the White MacBook and 13" MacBook Pro will allow you to do your work on the go, quickly and easily. Be the hero of your group presentation when you can build Keynote presentations together at the library and present them to your class.

Suggested Accessories

iWork

Word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations are commonplace tasks for business students. Apple had students in mind when creating iWork ’09, a software set that allows these projects to be easier and look more professional than ever before. Pre-formed templates allow for hassle free document creation so you can spend more time with what you want to say rather than how to say it. If you are concerned about Microsoft Office compatibility, you can use the Share feature to export your document in a variety of formats so others can read and write on them, whether they have a PC or Mac.

More information on iWork.

iPod Touch

Business can be stressful, so kick back and enjoy some tunes with Apple’s 8, 32 or 64 GB iPod Touch. While you’re at it, step up the entertainment level with a game or two. The multi-touch display, 3D graphics, and accelerometer built into the iPod Touch perform as the finest mobile gaming device.

Business is not all fun and games; the iPod Touch can have a serious side as well. Sync your contacts, calendar, e-mails and Web settings to this all-in-one mobile device. Conveniently carry your presentations, video projects, or photos to your next interview or meeting. Connect to the Internet with any WiFi network and browse the Web. With the purchase of an application from the App Store, you can even control your Keynote presentation in iWork ’09. Whether you have an important e-mail to check up on, or just need a break from the hectic schedule, this device does it all.

Kensington USB Calculator/Numeric Pad

If you’re doing a lot of calculations as a finance or accounting major on your laptop, you know how irritating it can be to not have a numeric keypad on your keyboard. The Kensington USB Calculator makes it easy to do quick calculations alongside your laptop’s keyboard. All you need is a free USB port, so just plug it in and plug away.

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Suggested Computer

iMac

The desktop iMac line comes with major benefits: screaming fast 2.66 to 3.06 GHz dual-core processors, massive (up to 1TB) hard drives, beautiful 21.5" and 27" diagonal widescreen displays, and more affordable price tags. If you want a well priced desktop computer with a large screen, you’ll get the most bang for your buck with an iMac.

MacBook Pro

If you want to take your power on the go, the MacBook Pro is the best choice for you. Take it to lectures while still performing complex computations. If you're designing, you'll appreciate the 15.4" and 17" displays with excellent resolution and LED-backlit screens. You'll also have 4 to 8GB of RAM and 2.66 to 2.8GHz processors so you won't miss a beat when working on projects. The powerful NVIDIA graphics card will allow you to run powerful applications without hiccups.

Suggested Accessories

Mathematica Software

Like a powerful graphing calculator with so much more, Mathematica allows you to perform all the functions of your calculator on you desktop, so you can calculate and create graphics on your computer. You can visualize complex graphs in 3D and work on equations in algebra, calculus or physics. It is an excellent way to visualize data and will help you on your school projects.

More information on Mathematica.

VMWare Fusion Software

Some recommended software for engineers and computer scientists will only run on Windows. With a new Mac, you can re-boot in Windows with Boot Camp, but sometimes you want to be able to run Mac OS X and Windows side by side. VMWare Fusion allows you to do just that. Keep your applications in Mac OS X running while you run your CS programs in Windows as well.

More information on VMWare.

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Suggested Computer

White MacBook

The most affordable notebook from Apple, this compact white laptop makes it convenient to take your homework anywhere. Whether you want to write your notes faster in class, find an easier way to organize your music and photos, or just browse around the Internet, the MacBook is perfect for your day-to-day tasks.

13" MacBook Pro or 15.4" 2.53 GHz MacBook Pro

If you're looking for portability with innovative design, the brand new line of MacBook Pros combine beautiful aluminum unibody enclosures, lightweight durability and unique new features to give you a leg up on the competition — both in style and substance.

Suggested Accessories

AppleCare Protection Plan

Regardless of your major, if you have a Mac, protecting it is the best choice you can make. By purchasing the AppleCare Protection Plan, you can extend your built-in one-year protection to three years total from the purchase date of your computer. If you’re having problems on campus, make an appointment with the Knowledge Base and we can diagnose and service your computer.

iWork

Whether you're writing a paper, building a spreadsheet, or putting together a presentation, iWork is the easiest program to use. Keynote is great for making an extremely simple, or a multi-media filled presentation that will "wow" your professors and classmates. Pages also has excellent templates to make professional looking resumes, and many other kinds of documents. You can even read and save as Microsoft Office documents, so you don't have to worry about compatibility.

iPod

With sizes ranging from 2 to 160 GB, the iPod is a perfect way to store all of your music, pictures, and video right in your pocket. Take it to the gym, listen to it on your way to class, plug it into speakers and host a rockin' party. With a choice of several different styles and colors, you can even match it to your personality and rock out with style!

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Suggested Computer

MacBook Pro

Ranging from 13" to 17" and 4.5 to 6.6 pounds, the new line of MacBook Pros has everything you need for portability and power. If you’re going on a lot of interviews, you need a computer that’s durable and powerful so you can take notes in the field. If you’re going to be building multimedia projects, the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M graphics cards in the 2.66 and 2.8GHz MacBook Pros will allow you to edit video and build flash without skipping a beat. And when you’re out on site working on a story or project, you’ll appreciate the new integrated seven hour batteries.

Suggested Accessories

iWork

Whether you’re typing notes from an interview or putting slides together for an advertising campaign, iWork is the perfect suite of software to keep your projects organized and looking great. Create a slideshow with video and audio in no time using Keynote, or create layouts and documents with Pages. Also included in iWork ’09 is Numbers, which allows you to easily build spreadsheets with templates for budgets or other projects.

More information on iWork.

Livescribe Pulse Smartpen

The Pulse SmartPen allows you to record audio that syncs to your handwritten notes. So if you’re in an interview or lecture, you don’t need to write down every word to make sure you get everything down. Instead, write down key words as you record the audio. Later, use the software included to upload your pages to your computer and search your own handwriting for maximum efficiency in managing your notes.

For more information on the SmartPen and to see video demos, click here.

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Suggested Computer

iMac

The iMac is a dynamically powerful desktop computer. With a choice of 21.5” or 27” screen, you can easily mix 10-20 tracks simultaneously while keeping an eye on your entire project. With a minimum processor speed of 2.66 GHz and a maximum speed of 3.06 GHz, the iMac will keep up with even the most dense audio compilations.

MacBook Pro

Sometimes you need to be able to bring the studio with you. The MacBook Pro is the perfect solution for the musician on the move. The lightweight line can easily be carried to any location, allowing musicians to get the right sound in the right setting. And with processors running between 2.26 and 2.8GHz, you don’t have to sacrifice power for convenience.

Suggested Accessories

Logic Studio

Every Mac comes pre-installed with GarageBand, which is a great tool to get started on. But when you’re ready to take it to the next level, Logic Studio is the answer. With hundreds of precision editing and mixing tools, it’s now possible to get a professional quality sound from home. Plug in any microphone, MIDI controller, or electric instrument and hit record. You’ll then have thousands of choices for customizing and mixing your sound without the hassle of physical hardware. With Logic Studio, your Mac is the recording studio of your dreams.

M-Audio Oxygen 8 Keyboard

MIDI keyboards are one of the most useful instruments of the electronic age. Plug this 25-key keyboard into the USB port of your Mac and you instantly have full access to the many software instruments within GarageBand and Logic Studio. Fully velocity-sensitive, this responsive keyboard is perfect for adding crucial layers to your recordings. The Oxygen 8 also comes with a several controls that can be mapped to a wide variety of functions, giving you even more power to create a unique sound.

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AppleCare Protection Plan

Whether you own a Mac or iPod, the AppleCare Protection Plan is always a must-have for your Apple device. The plan offers additional technical and phone support as well as global repair coverage. Illini Apple Center’s Knowledge Base is a full, certified service center for Macs. Enjoy peace of mind, comprehensive coverage, and a single stop for technical support with AppleCare.

More information on AppleCare.

Safeware Protection Plan

A Safeware Protection Plan is a comprehensive insurance program that will cover your laptop or desktop in the event that unforeseen physical damages occur (many of which are not covered by the standard warranty) at home, in the classroom or on the road. The plan provides coverage for theft, accidental damage, liquid spills, vandalism, power surge, lightning strike, flood, fire and more.

Time Machine

Don’t lose all of the hard work you’ve put into your Mac. Our variety of external hard drives, ranging from 250GB to 1TB in size, will help you to back up your files as you work. Used in conjunction with Apple's Time Machine software (pre-installed on every Mac with OSX 10.5 Leopard), your files will be safer and you won't even have to think about backing up.

More information on Time Machine.

Computer Lock

Theft is one of the most prevalent crimes on college campuses, so protect your computer when it’s at home by locking it to your desk. Locks come in a variety of sizes, and can use combinations or keys so that you are the only one who can take your Mac away with you. Illini Apple Center sells a variety of computer locks, so you can find one that fits your needs.