However, these versions are not usually the Professional version. It is recommended that the student wait until arrival at VA Tech to purchase the full package at a significantly discounted price. Since graphic programs will be used, a high quality printer is necessary. Lower end ink jet printers do not print evenly and often take an inordinate amount of time to produce each page. The cost of a high quality printer has dropped dramatically in the past year.
Laser printers are also very inexpensive and provide an excellent alternative.
Students need to maintain connection to the campus network throughout their stay at Virginia Tech. If the student is housed on-campus, 10BaseT Ethernet cards will need to be purchased for connectivity to the campus network. These can be purchased from the bookstore or packaged with the computer. If the student will be housed off-campus in a nearby apartment complex, they should contact the apartment manager to determine if they have Ethernet access available. DSL, Cable, and Satellite broadband access is also available in Blacksburg.