Computer Requirements for Medical Students
2026-2027 Academic Computer Requirements
The Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine requires students to purchase laptop computers as a part of their general requirements including books, materials and other academic supplies. Students will have classroom activites, lab assignments, or exams where their laptop is required on campus. Students entering during the academic year 2026-2027 (class of 2030) must purchase a computer that complies with the following requirements:
Minimum laptop specifications
Due to the college’s heavy reliance on exam software, Windows laptops are strongly recommended. Mac laptops frequently encounter exam compatibility issues, and technical support may be limited. iPads and Android devices are not supported for exams, as exam software is not available for those platforms. While iPads are popular for note-taking, they cannot be used for testing.
- Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, or equivalent AMD (Ryzen 7 series), or equivalent ARM-based processor (Coretex-X3 or Snapdragon X Elite)
- Windows 11
- Wireless-WiFi 6
- A minimum of 16GB of RAM
- Minimum of 256 GB hard drive
- HDMI port, or USB-C to HDMI adapter (recommended)
- Webcam with mic (integrated or external)
- Battery with average runtime of 2-5 hours
- A new laptop, or one less than two years old
Recommended
- Three-year warranty (Consider the accidental damage coverage offered by many manufacturers)
- 14" display, or larger
- Discrete graphics
- Headphones or headset (similar to this model)
- Chrome, Firefox, or Edge web browsers
- Padded backpack or carrying case
- Broadband home Internet access
Additional academic software
Important: Ohio University provides MS 365, so there is no need to purchase it separately. It will be available for download once you are fully enrolled.
OHIO's Office of Information Technology provides various software packages at little to no cost to students. Microsoft 365 is included, which provides 1TB of cloud storage via OneDrive. Also, as a medical student you will be required to use Heritage College-specific applications. You can find links to these from our Home Page under "Resources For," "Admitted Students." Scroll down the page until you see “Medical Education Technology”. Any additional software needed will be provided during orientation.
Purchasing options
The Heritage College recommends the OIT-offered portable computers. For convenience, laptops can be purchased at the Bobcat Depot, located on the ground floor of Baker University Center on the Athens campus, or online.
Questions to ask when purchasing a computer
We do not recommend using a laptop that is three years old or older. The processor, memory requirements, and the ability to install operating system updates will likely not provide the power to efficiently run required learning applications. It is best to start out with a device that will carry you through your medical education.
Before purchasing a system, carefully consider all the factors in the long-term use of the device; do not just look at the purchase price. Most name-brand laptops are tested and reviewed for value.
- What is the warranty? You should purchase a system with at least a standard three-year warranty.
- Details of the warranty should include:
- Will it have to be shipped to a service center?
- Who will send it back, and who will pay shipping charges?
- What is the turnaround time for the repair?
- What version of Windows does it include? Does it meet the recommended requirements?
- Are the weight and size of the laptop appropriate for your needs?