Laptop Requirements for SOM Students
VCU School of Medicine requires incoming medical students to own a laptop computer. Our goal is to provide an educational environment that promotes the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in technologically advanced clinical and research workplaces.
Students are required to bring a Windows-based laptop for ALL exams. Students may use an Apple laptop for day-to-day classwork, but MUST bring a Windows laptop for exams. Apple laptops are NOT allowed for exams in the School of Medicine due to incompatibility with certain required standardized exams (such as NBME.) Apple laptops running virtualized environments (such as Bootcamp, Parallels, VMWare, etc.) are NOT allowed for exam sessions.
Laptop computers must meet the VCU Student Computer Initiative (SCI) minimum requirements. In addition, School of Medicine student laptops are required to have digital video output and any necessary adapters to convert it to HDMI. This ensures a proper HDMI connection to the collaboration tables in the Learning Studios.
Students are expected to bring their laptop to class every day for use in classroom activities, self-paced learning materials, case studies, exams, quizzes, conferences, presentations and evaluations.
Students are expected to bring the peripherals necessary to use the laptop in the classroom and for exams, such as power supply, mouse, MiniDisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter, Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter, Ethernet adapter, etc.
Standardized tests (such as NBME) are incompatible with the Apple operating system. Incoming students are free to use Apple laptops for day-to-day class sessions, but a Windows-based laptop is REQUIRED for ALL exams.
Minimum requirements
| RAM | 6GB minimum |
| CPU | Intel i3 or greater/equivalent |
| Operating System | Windows 8 Pro or greater (no Home or RT editions) 64-bit Windows 10 Pro or greater (no Home or Mobile editions) 64-bit |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 g/n (or greater) Ethernet port and/or adaptor 2 USB ports 13" screen |
| Video out | Digital output (HDMI or Mini DisplayPort) *see Additional hardware requirements |
Recommended
| RAM | 8GB or greater |
| CPU | Intel i5 or greater/equivalent |
| Operating System | Windows 8 Pro or greater (no Home or RT editions) 64-bit Windows 10 Pro or greater (no Home or Mobile editions) 64-bit |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 g/n (or greater) Ethernet port or adaptor 3+ USB 3.0 ports 15" screen |
| Video out | Digital output
|
iPads, Android and other tablets, netbooks, Chromebooks, smart phones, eReaders and similar devices are not suitable replacements for a laptop computer. Windows tablets running Windows 8.1/10 PRO are suitable (Note: Windows 8.x RT Tablets are not suitable), though it is recommended you purchase a keyboard attachment.
If you have any questions please email somedtech-l@lists.vcu.edu.
*Additional hardware requirements
- Students are required to provide their own Ethernet cable (plus any necessary adapter) to connect to Ethernet ports during exam sessions.
- Students are required to provide their own video adapters in order to attach to HDMI connections on the collaboration tables in the Learning Studios. For example, Mac laptop users will need to provide their own Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI or Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter.
- We strongly suggest that your laptop have at least 250 GB of free space available on the internal hard drive in order to download and run some of the School of Medicine eCurriculum applications. Also, we suggest a laptop with a 15” screen in order to better view diagrams and charts during exams.
Microsoft Software
VCU students may download Microsoft Windows and Office for both PCs and Macs at no cost as part of their Student Technology Fee. Click here for more information and to download the software.
RamTech
Laptops obtained through VCU's RamTech program are academically priced, meet VCU and School of Medicine laptop requirements and include on-campus warranty service with next business day turn-around and free loaners in the event of a delayed repair. Find out more here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of the tests required by third party accreditation groups require Windows for the testing environment. While our own testing environment is not limited in this fashion, we have decided to standardize on one platform in order to maximize stability and security with the exam system. While you are allowed to have a Mac for day-to-day classroom work, we require that you use a Windows laptop for exams.
We require a minimum of 6GB of memory (RAM). See the SCI computer requirements 
page. Depending on the applications you run on your computer, more memory may be needed and 8GB (or more) is recommended.
- Most current laptops bought within the last two years satisfy the School of Medicine’s laptop requirements.
- Please verify that your computer meets our minimum computer requirements.
- Apple laptops can be used for day-to-day classwork, but you MUST bring a Windows-based laptop for exams.
It is not required but may be useful depending on how you plan to use your computer. Bringing it to campus every day in a backpack will expose it to greater risk than using it at home.
- In conjunction with the VCU Student Computer Initiative, all VCU students are encouraged to register their computer system with the VCU Police Department and indelibly and clearly mark their equipment with a personally identifiable code to prevent theft. See here for more details.
- Students or their parents may wish to consider insurance coverage for the computer. This can be incorporated as a rider on a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
- Always report a lost or stolen device to the VCU Police (804-828-1234). If lost on campus, check with the Curriculum Office and VCU Campus Security.