Project Lead The Way, Inc. working with its vendors, will specify computers each year that we estimate will run our course software for the next three years.

Many schools have developed policies under which new, more powerful computers are placed in PLTW labs, and the existing computers are moved to areas with less demanding applications. In doing this, they insure the longest useful performance of their computers.

Computers should meet or exceed the specifications stated here:

Desktop

Intel Core2 Duo E8400 or better 1333 MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache	2 GIG (4 prefered) DDR2 SDRAM Memory with room to upgrade
Keyboard	Optical Mouse with Wheel
80 + GB (7200 RPM) SATA Hard Drive	Anti-Virus software
CD or optional CDRW/DVD drive	Win XP Pro (32 or 64 bit) or better or MACs running Bootcamp and one of the above systems
PCI-express x16 Video card with a minimum 256 Megs RAM (Must be 3D CAD Display Compatible and support DirectX 9 &10) See http://www.autodesk.com/us/inventor/graphic_cards/	3 year Warranty
Integrated LAN connection	17" SVGA 1280X1024 Color Monitor or optional flat screen
4 USB Ports Minimum - Version 2.0

Laptop

Each teacher participating in training and teaching Project Lead The Way® courses is required to have a laptop computer for his/her use. Teachers should have Administrator rights on their computer. Specifications for new laptops are as follows:

Intel Core2 Duo T9300 or better	USB Memory Key (Memory Stick, Thumb Drive, etc.)
2 GIG DDR2 SDRAM Memory (4 GB Prefered)	Integrated 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet connection
60 GB + 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive	External VGA Port
DVD-CDRW Drive	2 - USB Ports Minimum
14.1 XGA TFT Color LCD Display or larger	Anti Virus software
Li-Ion Battery	Win XP Pro or later 3 Year Warranty
PCI-express x16 Video card with a minimum 256 Megs RAM (Must be 3D CAD Display Compatible and support DirectX 9 &10) See http://www.autodesk.com/us/inventor/graphic_cards/	802.11 a/g wireless

For further details about graphics cards, see Autodesk’s website http://www.autodesk.com/us/inventor/graphic_cards/

PLEASE NOTE: Basic Intel graphic chipset or other chipsets with shared memory are not recommended for video display. All graphic chipsets must be 3D capable and support OpenGL and DirectX. A third party Graphic card is usually necessary.

BARE MINIMUM SPECS TO RUN INVENTOR FOR 2008-2009

Minimum system requirements should not be used to purchase equipment; rather, they are provided to evaluate existing equipment for use with Inventor.

Minimum hardware required to run (Not recommended for production use).
Intel Pentium® or AMD Athlon Processor 2.0GH or better
8.0GB Free (minimum install) Hard Drive Space
3 GB Scratch "Temp" space
1 GB RAM
2-4 Gigs Virtual Memory Space
64+ MB DirectX 9 Capable Graphics Card
Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 2 operating system
Internet Explorer 6 with latest service packs