Laptop Requirements

All UTRGV School of Medicine students are required to own a laptop computer with WiFi capability. If you plan on using your current laptop, make sure it meets the requirements outlined below. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at som-it@utrgv.edu.

Laptop Specifications
Laptops must meet the system requirements outlined below. The laptop must be less than two years old to ensure that it will be functional throughout the 4 years of medical school.

Hardware/Software

  • Hard drive: 256GB SSD (recommended)
  • Memory: 16GB (recommended)
  • Processor: i7 series or higher, 2.6 GHz Quad Core (recommended)
  • Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 (required)
  • Screen size: 13” minimum
  • Ethernet: built-in or with adapter (recommended)
  • Wireless: Wireless 802.11g
  • Built-in keyboard
  • Webcam and Microphone
  • Windows 10 Professional or higher 
  • MacOS v12.x or higher
  • Office365 applications are available at no cost to UTRGV students. Microsoft 365 is provided by UTRGV. In addition, you will have 5 TB of storage via One Drive.

Either Windows-compatible or Apple computers running MacOS are appropriate for use at the School of Medicine. Netbooks, tablets, and Chromebooks do not meet minimum requirements.

IT Support
The SOM IT office is available to assess your laptop to see if it meets requirements Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in EMEBL 2.113 or you can contact them via email at som-it@utrgv.edu.

Having a printer at home is helpful for many students. However, the School of Medicine Libraries offers credit-based printing services for students. Printing from a personal laptop is available on-campus via the Mobility Print application. For more information, visit: https://www.utrgv.edu/medlibrary/services/print-copy-scan/

For note-taking, students will often use Microsoft OneNote (also included on UTRGV Office365 app).