Laptop requirements for School of Medicine students
VCU School of Medicine requires all medical students to own a laptop computer. The 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 expected to bring a laptop for ALL exams.
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, USB-C to HDMI adapter, Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter, Ethernet adapter, etc.
Minimum requirements
| RAM | 8GB minimum |
| CPU | Intel i5 or greater/equivalent AMD: Ryzen 3 or greater Mac: M1 or greater |
| Hard drive | 250GB SSD or greater |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro or greater (no Mobile editions) 64-bit |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 g/n (or greater) Ethernet port and/or adaptor Two USB ports |
| Screen size | 13" (or greater) |
| Video out | Digital output (HDMI or Mini DisplayPort) *see Additional hardware requirements |
| Other peripherals | Webcam and microphone required |
Recommended
| RAM | 16GB or greater |
| CPU | Intel i5 or greater AMD: Ryzen 5 or greater MAC: M1 or greater |
| Hard drive | 500GB SSD or greater |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro or greater (no Mobile editions) 64-bit |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 g/n (or greater) Ethernet port or adaptor Four or more USB 3.0 ports |
| Screen size | 15" or greater |
| Video out | Digital output (HDMI for Windows laptops) *see Additional hardware requirements |
| Other peripherals | Webcam and microphone required Headphones strongly recommended |
iPads, Android and other tablets, netbooks, Chromebooks, smart phones, eReaders and similar devices are not suitable replacements for a laptop computer.
*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.
- It is strongly suggested 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, a laptop with a 15” screen is recommended 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. Learn more and 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. Learn more about RamTech ».
Frequently asked questions
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.
- 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.
If a student does not bring a laptop to an exam, the student will not be permitted to take the exam and will receive a zero on the exam. Loaner laptops are not provided due to missing computer accessories of a student's laptop.