Berklee College of Music
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
• Main page
• Program Overview
• Package Contents
• Purchase and Financial Information
• Pickup Information
• Waivers and Purchase Eligibility
• Additional Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Major Bundles – Special Hardware and Software Required of Majors for the 2008–09 Academic Year
• Contact Information
   
Success Stories
• The New Axe
• Office Harmony
• Apple of Their Eye
 

Information presented in this website is intended to be accurate as of the initial date of posting, but is subject to change without notice.
 

Package Contents

Overview

The Berklee Laptop Package includes an Apple Macintosh laptop computer, a 25-musical-key external keyboard controller, and software applications used in the core curriculum. Much of the software included in the package is pre-installed and configured for the Berklee environment. Updates to the included applications are provided free of charge during the student's enrollment at Berklee. However, this is only after the college has thoroughly tested and evaluated any new software release. In order to maintain classroom and educational continuity, changes are made when the college as a whole transitions to a new version.

The computer comes with a three-year warranty from Apple which includes worldwide service and support from Apple Computer. In addition, support is available from Berklee's Academic Technology department via the Student Computer Support Center.

The warranty ensures that Apple-authorized technicians will perform repairs, and parts and labor will be covered for three years. The plan includes global repair coverage, which can be very important if you travel abroad. Please note: items not covered under warranty include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical damage (breakage, cracks)
  • Liquid spills
  • Cosmetic damage (scratches, dents)
  • Damage or failure due to abuse, neglect, or inappropriate use
  • Extreme physical or electrical stress
  • Consumables, such as batteries and power supplies, unless due to defect
  • Loss or misplacement of the computer
  • Theft

Note: Berklee strongly recommends that students protect and care for their computer as they would any other valuable resource. Repairs not covered under warranty can be very expensive. We also strongly advise students to investigate alternate means (personal insurance or other insurance) to protect them in the event their computer is damaged or stolen. If breakage or other damage occurs (regardless of fault), the student is liable for the cost of any and all repairs or replacement.

Computer specifications and included software

The special Berklee Laptop Package for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters includes the following:

  • Apple MacBook Pro computer with 15-inch Widescreen Display (15.4-inch (diagonal), 1440 by 900 resolution, TFT widescreen)
  • 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB memory Ð (2x1GB) 667MHz, Double Data Rate (DDR2), synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM)
  • 200GB Serial ATA hard disk 5400 rpm
  • 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
  • Built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11n); built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Gigabit Ethernet
  • USB 2.0, FireWire 400
  • Full-size backlit keyboard
  • Built-in iSight camera
  • DVI, VGA (DVI to VGA adapter included)
  • Multi-touch trackpad
  • Oxygen 8 v2 Musical Keyboard/MIDI Interface
  • Special three-year AppleCare Protection Plan Extended Warranty.

Note: The AppleCare Protection Plan is subject to terms and conditions, which are provided on the AppleCare Protection Plan website.

Software products listed below while the student is enrolled at Berklee. This means that the student may use these software products while they are enrolled at Berklee, and get updates to these applications when the college transitions to a different version during their enrollment. (When they leave Berklee, students may continue to use the product they have at that time, but will no longer qualify for free updates.) Please note that the majority of manufacturers do not provide discs as part of the agreement. However, students are able to make a backup of the applications if they wish, and can also get applications installed at the Student Computer Support Center. Due to changes in the curriculum, some of these software products may change or be deleted at any time.

  • OSX Operating System
  • iLife (iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, iTunes, GarageBand)
  • Finale
  • SmartMusic Studio
  • Microsoft Office
  • NoteShare
  • Reason
  • Digital Performer
  • Filemaker
  • DrumCore

Throughout any academic year, Berklee anticipates that new software and updates to existing software will become available. Information on eligibility, obtaining, and installing updates will be posted on http://my.berklee.net and is also available from the Student Computer Support Center. It is extremely important that students regularly login to the College's online resources (the Wireless Network and http://my.berklee.net) in order to view the latest information.

Must additional software be purchased?

The Berklee Laptop Package includes all necessary software to cover the needs of the typical first-year curriculum at Berklee.

The purchase of other software is at the discretion of the individual. However, please note that some Majors at Berklee require the purchase of a Major Bundle (additional hardware and software to support the major). Some specialized classes may also require the purchase of additional software.




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