Individuals who are interested in spatial analysis for vector and raster data formats will find ArcGIS software very useful. Users can create and edit spatial data, manage their data with the included ArcCatalog software, perform many forms of spatial analysis, and create maps. Advanced licenses also include a variety of toolkits for online data management and analysis.

ArcGIS includes a variety of programs, though availability will range according to your license. These include ArcMap (for the majority of mapping and spatial analyses), ArcCatalog (data management), and ArcScene (for 2.5D analyses). Software extensions are also available for purchase: network analyst, spatial analyst, 3D analyst, and tracking analyst, among others. The software is also available as an App, and can be accessed on tablets, GPS, and other remote devices.

For the archaeologist or anthropologist, they will find that ArcGIS can be used for the majority of their questions or tasks: georeferencing and digitizing paper maps or site plans, displaying and editing survey data, and performing analyses on networks, movement, and spatial distribution. In ArcMap and ArcScene (the associated visualization program) data can be analyzed in 2.5D format, and questions related to visibility can be answered. With extensions like Spatial Analyst, the user can use vector and raster data together to perform often-used suitability analyses.

Pros
ArcGIS has become arguably the most ubiquitous software in the world of GIS. Individuals who are able to use this software will find little trouble navigating the other GIS software packages discussed on this website. Because of its popularity, users will find the online community extremely helpful — tutorials and troubleshooting are frequently posted, as are custom-made python extensions and toolkits.

Cons
ArcGIS does handle vector analysis better; any individual who is focusing primarily on raster analyses should also look into software packages like ERDAS Imagine or Idrisi.

ArcGIS is very expensive. Most major universities will have some form of license. 180 day licenses can be acquired through many of ESRI’s textbooks (some of which cover fairly advanced topics); year licenses can also be purchased, with prices depending on the individual’s university affiliation. A free 60 day trial can be found here: http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/

ESRI recommends using a 1024×768 display. Users with higher resolution displays will not find support for fixing any display issues.

Mac users will need to acquire a Windows emulator.

System Requirements (for ArcGIS 10.3)
(http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/get-started/system-requirements/arcgis-desktop-system-requirements.htm)

Windows 8 or above (Windows 7 and Vista are compatible but should be used with ArcGIS version 10.2 or lower).
CPU Speed: 2.2 GHz
Platform: Windows x84 or x64 with SSE2 extensions
Memory: 2GB
Display: 24 bit
Screen Resolution: 1024X768 (recommended for normal display)
Disk Space: 2.4 GB
Video and Graphics: 64 MB RAM. 256 MB suggested. Supports NVIDIA, ATI, and Intel chipsets.

For more information, please visit: http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/capabilities