LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Software v1.0 minimum system requirements:
General:256MB of Ram minimum (512 MB recommended)Up to 300MB of available hard-disk spaceXGA display (1024 x 768)1 available USP portCD-ROM driveCompatible Bluetooth adapter (optional)1
Microsoft WindowsWindows XP Professional or Home Edition with Service Pack 2Intel® Pentium® processor or compatible, 800 MHz minimum(1.5 GHz or better recommended)
Apple MacintoshApple MacOS X v. 10.3.9 or 10.4PowerPC® G3, G4, G5 processor, 600 MHz minimum21.3 GHz or better recommended)
ROBOLAB Software v2.9 minimum system requirements:
[System requirements for ROBOLAB 2.9 were incorrect. They were corrected and updated 04/20/06.]
When using software with the RCX:
Microsoft Windows133 MHz PC (166 MHz recommended)Windows 2000 operating system or laterMinimum of 250 MB free hard drive spaceOne serial or USB port256 MB RAM
Apple Macintosh166 MHz Mac processorOS X operating system or laterMinimum of 300 MB free hard drive spaceOne USB portRAM for OSX - 128 MB (192 MB recommended)
When using software with the NXT:Same as LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT Software v1.0 minimum system requirements (will not support Bluetooth)
If you have any questions regarding the software or anything else regarding the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT, please feel free to contact us at NXT@LEGOeducation.com.
1 Supported Bluetooth software are Widcomm® Bluetooth for Windows newer than v. 1.4.2.10 SP5 and the Bluetooth stacks included in Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 / Apple MacOS X 10.3.9 and 10.4. (Return)
2 The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Software is currently available for Intel-based Macintosh systems using Rosetta emulation. A universal update which will run native on Mactel systems will be available as soon as possible. While LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Software is using the Rosetta emulator Bluetooth functionality will not be available. (Return)
The NXT uses the Technic Building system of building which will let you build sturdier robots faster. For those of us who grew up with System Building (bricks etc...) it will take some getting used to. However, you can start learning the pieces and tricks involved in Technic Building now by visiting the LEGO Technic Design School http://www.lego.com/eng/create/technicdesignschool/default.asp. This site features a great lesson on getting started with Technic Building. Visit it today and dig out some Technic sets to start developing your NXT building skills.
Existing RCX System
New NXT System
Intelligent Brick
RCX 8 bit 3 input, 3 output Requries 6 AA batteries
NXT 32 bit 4 input, 3 output Rechargeable battery included
Sensors
Touch Light Rotation* Temperature*
Touch Light Rotation (built into motors) Ultrasonic Sound
Motors
9v Gear Reduction 2 in each set
Servo w/ built-in rotation sensor 3 in each set
Software
ROBOLAB Mac/PC Tutorials Site License Icon-based 3 Levels, 430 icons New Update: ROBOLAB 2.9
LME Programming Software Mac/PC Site & Classroom Licenses Icon-based 2 palettes, 45 icons More software launching in 2007
Downloading
USB Serial
BlueTooth USB
Sets
Team Challenge: 828 elements RoboTechnology: 215 elements
LME Base Set: 431 elements Resource Set: 672 elements
Curriculum
Various Activity Packs
6 Week Course: Mobile Robotics CD Set 12 Week Course: Engineering Projects CD Set
FLL Compliant
Yes
*Sold seperately from the Team Challenge and RoboTechnology Sets. All other sensors listed for both systems are included in the sets.
Printer-friendly version of the comparision chart (PDF)
The new curriculum for LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT was developed at Carnegie Mellon University. They’ve launched a website to help teachers get acquainted with the new curriculum. Check it out at http://www-education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/nxt/.
Bridging the RCX generation to the NXT
Everyone's excited about the new LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT system. But what if you've invested years of your life in ROBOLAB™ and the RCX?
No worries. In August 2006, LEGO Education, in collaboration with Tufts University's Center for Engineering and Educational Outreach (CEEO) and National Instruments, will release one last version of ROBOLAB, designed specifically to support RCX users and ease the transition to NXT.
Users can upgrade to ROBOLAB 2.9 software, allowing you to program both the RCX and the NXT (via USB).
In addition to providing compatibility with both the RCX and NXT, ROBOLAB 2.9 features new firmware to allow users faster processing, more motor speeds, floating point math, improved debugging and programming functions and more.
Meanwhile, ROBOLAB users who are ready to get started with the NXT technology will be able to work in a familiar environment to create programs for the NXT brick - from basic Pilot to high end Inventor, and data logging programs.
Users will be able to build up their educational robotics resources by investing in the new LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education hardware, which includes converter cables for the existing sensors and motor, and use it with their existing sets.
In June 2006, LEGO Education and the CEEO will team up to launch a new teacher-to-teacher website dedicated to teaching math, science and engineering with LEGO bricks. The site will offer comprehensive online support and advice for LEGO MINDSTORMS, from how to use the new features to how to combine the existing platform with the new in the classroom. Features of the new MINDSTORMS Education NXT software platform will also be presented on the site, including the integrated Robot Educator, which is a fully animated guide to all programming features.
LEGO Education will continue to assist users of the current platform with inspiration and technical support until the end of 2009. The portfolio of hardware, software and curriculum activity packs, designed for students from 8 years up, will still be available, as will local support from educational suppliers.
ROBOLAB 2.9 is fully supported on Win 2000 and newer platforms; however NXT support will be restricted to Win XP (SP2). Macintosh users of OS9 must continue to use ROBOLAB 2.54 or older.
Check back at this site frequently for new and emerging information.
The LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT is available now for pre-order from the LEGO Education store! You will not be billed for any pre-orders placed until the sets are shipped, which will be during the first week of August.
Don't forget that in addition to the Base Set, you may also need software, curriculum sets, and the Resource Set. If you are pre-ordering for a large classroom, Getting Started packages are also available.
Lots more items are also available at LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT!