Skip to main content

CVM Student Laptop Requirements

NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine requires all DVM students to have a personal laptop for continuous use that meets or exceeds the minimum specifications listed below. Tablets, iPads, or Chromebooks are not acceptable substitutes. Students may use a previously owned or newly purchased laptop, provided it meets the stated requirements..

The NC State WolfPack Outfitters Store (Tech Den) sells several models available for purchase at discounted prices. All computers sold through Wolfpack Outfitters have a 3-year Manufacturer Warranty that is supported on campus through the OIT Walk-In Center so students don’t need to leave NC State campus if they need service on their computers. All of the pricing listed online for students includes educational discounts from the manufacturer along with the warranty. 

NC State allows financial aid recipients to apply for a one time increase in their total Cost Of Attendance (COA) to cover the cost of a computer. Wolfpack Outfitters is happy to reserve computers for Financial Aid recipients until they receive the additional aid they may qualify for. To request an increase in total COA students must have completed the FAFSA and meet the income levels necessary to qualify for additional aid. To apply, fill out the Computer Purchase Form and submit it along with either a dated receipt / proof of purchase or a dated itemized estimate from Wolfpack Outfitters. To obtain an estimate email them at theTechDen@ncsu.edu

If you need additional information about financial support for purchasing a laptop, please contact Kyle McMahan at ktmcmaha@ncsu.edu (919-515-2822).

Minimum Requirements and Recommended Specifications

Windows – Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise, Education, or Pro (build 21H2 or higher)

 MinimumRecommended
Memory16 GB32 GB
ProcessorIntel® Core Ultra 5Intel® Core Ultra 7
Hard Drive512 GB SSD1 TB SSD
Screen1920 x 1080 (FHD, WUXGA)1920 x 1080 (FHD, WUXGA) or better
WirelessWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
WebcamYesYes
MicrophoneYesYes
Warranty3- or 4-year on-site parts and labor; with 4-year accidental damage protection with laptops3- or 4-year on-site parts and labor; with 4-year accidental damage protection with laptops

Apple – Latest macOS (prepare to stay current within two versions for Apple Update/Security)

 MinimumRecommended
Memory16 GB32 GB
ProcessorApple M2Apple M3 or higher
Hard Drive512 GB SSD1 TB SSD
ScreenLiquid Retina DisplayLiquid Retina display or better
WirelessWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
WebcamYesYes
MicrophoneYesYes
Warranty3- or 4-year on-site parts and labor; with 4-year accidental damage protection with laptops3- or 4-year on-site parts and labor; with 4-year accidental damage protection with laptops

Recommended Software

  • Microsoft Office 365, including full downloadable versions of Office products, is available to NCSU Students at no costs from the NCSU Office 365 website.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download – uncheck Free McAfee options)
  • Google Chrome is the recommended and supported browser (free download)

Other software available to students can be found here.

Data and Identity Security

Antivirus Requirements

NC State University requires use of approved and up-to-date antivirus software for all computers connected to the university’s wired or wireless network.

Data Security

NC State provides 20 GB of personal file storage on NCSU Drive.  Microsoft Office 365 provides 1 TB of storage.  Faculty, staff, and students will no longer have unlimited data storage capacity in their Google Drive space.  Do not store your personal, sensitive data (social security numbers, credit card numbers, passwords) in any cloud storage areas. Cloud storage available via Google or Office 365 may be used for other non-sensitive (green, yellow classification level) data or data backup.

Unity ID & Password Protection

It is highly encouraged that you setup User Identification & Authentication (UIA) questions to assist with resetting your account and/or verifying your identity if necessary.  You can do that here.

Theft Deterrence

Consider engraving identifying information on computer equipment. NC State Campus Police, offers engraving services. Keep records of serial numbers and Ethernet addresses in a place not on the computer you can find if devices are lost or stolen. See Safe Computing at NC State for more information.

Support

CVM IT can assist students with connecting their personally-owned devices to the university’s wireless. CVM IT does not support software or hardware related issues on personally-owned devices. CVM IT does not grant non-employee students remote access to CVM, Hospital, or NCSU software/systems including network drives from personally-owned devices.The Office of Information Technology Walk-In Center has on-site licensed repair technicians certified to do repairs for several brands of computers.