Multimedia and mobility are part of basic journalism these days.  While the School does not yet require students to purchase their own computers, cameras or mobile phones, a compatible and highly portable computer is strongly recommended and will greatly help you to succeed as you move along.   A personal laptop could well become a School of Journalism requirement in the future. 

Students in selected courses will be using laptops rather than fixed desktop computers. Although there will be laptops available for loan, we encourage you to bring your own laptop to school, at least for these courses, for your own convenience and to save the time involved in checking out loaned computers. If you are planning to borrow a computer, you should plan to arrive early for class to make sure you have the loaner machine in hand for class.

The following courses have been scheduled to run in mobile computing classrooms:  (you will be notified of any changes)

For the present, classes involving audio or video-editing will be held in rooms with fixed computers that are equipped with the required Adobe software. However, this could change soon, so if you are planning to buy a mobile computer this year, we suggest the following:

Apple Laptops

Apple offers bundle packages and pricing at www.my.ryerson.ca - login using your Ryerson email credentials – scroll to bottom of page and click on The Apple Store – Ryerson’s Student Store - or click here.

MacBook Pro 

i5 or i7 Processor

13"-15" Display

8GB+ Memory 

256GB+ SSD or 500GB+ HDD Drive (7200 rpm recommended) 

For design/video intensive work we strongly recommend an HD (1440X900+ or Retina) display.

MacBook Air

i5 or i7 Processor

13" Display

8GB Memory 

256GB+ SSD

Windows Laptops

i5 or i7 Processor

13"-17" High Resolution (HD) Display

8 GB+ Memory

256GB+ SSD or 500GB+  HDD (7200 rpm recommended) 

Specs for running Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection CS6 on MAC and PC can be found here.

You will also find it almost vital for success to have a mobile phone with video recording capability, a digital voice recorder, and a USB memory stick.  

You may want to consider purchasing a mobile computing device. Due to the low cost of some of the new technology being used in the School of Journalism, students can now afford to do production and multimedia work in the field. You will be well-armed if you have access to mobile technology when doing reporting and other class assignments. While the school does not require students to own their own equipment, we know many students will be making purchases and we offer the following suggestions.

You will find the following useful in making the most of your experience as a journalism student (in order of priority):

§  A mobile phone, preferably an iPhone or smart phone with data contract. This type of phone will allow you to record audio and video, take pictures and upload right away.

§  An iTouch will also give you mobility without the phone function. Having a phone for mobility purposes is essential. A laptop computer, preferably one that conforms to the specifications listed below (starts at $1,000).

§  USB memory device minimum 32GB and SD card minimum 8GB

§  If you don’t have a phone with video-audio recording functions you may want to invest in something like a Kodak HD Zi8 camera, with omnidirectional microphone with mini connector, plus headphones and headphone splitter cable ($300).

§  Software: whatever the computer comes loaded with, as long as it can export files in .doc or .txt format. But if you can get a really good package deal on Adobe CS6 and Microsoft Office, you would be advised to take it.

§  A digital still camera with SD card ($200) or, if you're interested in photo journalism, a digital SLR camera ($700 and up).

For a more detailed look at some of the multimedia equipment recommended by the School of Journalism you can view our 2013-2014 Gear Guide.

Dell offers bundle packages and pricing here (do not purchase a netbook – not sufficient for curriculum needs). Login using your Ryerson email credentials – scroll to bottom of page and click on Dell – Ryerson’s Student Store.

Lesley Salvadori

News Media Technical Coordinator

Ryerson School of Journalism

80 Gould Street RCC209

Toronto, Ontario M5B 2M7

Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please get in touch with Jaclyn Mika, the School's secretary bachelor.journalism@ryerson.ca, 416-979-5319), who will be able to help or direct you to the right person.