Last updated on June 6, 2023
All new medical and physician assistant students are required to have a laptop that meets these minimum system requirements. We base these specifications on many factors including the individual requirements of our curricular software and our institutional cybersecurity standards.
Based on our experience supporting current and former students, we highly encourage you to begin the program with a laptop that meets our recommendations.
For instructions on how to check your laptop’s specifications, click here: PC | MAC
If you have any questions, please reach out to Academic Multimedia Services (HSC-AMS@salud.unm.edu or 505-272-0666) for assistance.
ASUS laptops with the "ScreenPad" feature, which allows the touchpad to be used as a secondary screen, are not compatible with the NBME secure browser, which is the software we use for high-stakes examinations. ASUS laptops with a touchscreen monitor are also known to have compatibility issues with the NBME secure browser.
We don’t recommend that medical students who own one of these laptops go out and buy another model, but if you are shopping for a new laptop, avoid ASUS models with the a “ScreenPad” or a touchscreen monitor.
A high-speed home internet connection is highly recommended (12 Mbps minimum). Go to fast.com to test your internet speed.
When using Wi-Fi at home, please secure your wireless network with a password.
If you are planning on using a tablet as a secondary device for curricular activities like electronic assessments, please ensure that it meets these minimum system requirements: