MCM Student Laptop Requirements

All incoming students at Cummings School are required to have a laptop computer or tablet.  You may purchase either a PC or a Mac; however, if you are considering a new purchase and have experience with PCs we highly recommend them in place of Macs because of compatibility with a variety of software we use in this program. We also recommend purchasing an extended warranty from the manufacturer to cover the cost of hardware repairs that may be needed.

Laptops (PC or Mac)/Mobile Devices

*When purchasing a new computer, Windows 10 is recommended; however, if you already have a computer with Windows 7, that is acceptable.

Mobile Devices Recommendations

Tufts strongly recommends that all students with mobile devices such as an Android phone, Android tablet, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch have the most recent operating system.  Please make sure your devices are set to be automatically updated by the vendor to ensure that your devices are always on the most current operating platform.

Security Recommendations

Tufts strongly recommends that students ensure their personal devices specifically laptops, tablets and phones have disk encryption toggled on.  For PC’s please to go Control Panel select All Control Panel Items and then select BitLocker Drive Encryption

For a Mac encryption (File Vault) please see go to the Apple menu then System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy.  Click the FileVault tab.  Click , then enter an administrator name and password.  Then Click to Turn On FileVault.

Things to Consider Regarding Security

• Browsers such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari should be set to automatically update which will ensure you have the latest patches for browsers
• Tufts also recommends that students set their Screen Savers to the 10 – 15 minute setting on all their devices. It is also suggested that students consider purchasing a privacy screen for laptops and or tablets.
• Make sure that passcodes and/or biometrics are enabled for devices to ensure data security.
• Finally, Tufts strongly encourages the use of YubiKey to protect your devices from unauthorized access. You can learn more about YubiKey at its website https://www.yubico.com/.

Some additional Helpful Links 

• Discounted software and computer hardware such as Microsoft 365 and Dell or Apple products: https://it.tufts.edu/it-computing/technology-students/student-discounts.
• Tufts on the hub for additional software and hardware options: https://tufts.onthehub.com/WebStore/Support/WebStoreHelpContents.aspx

Special Software Pricing

Tufts University has negotiated discounted prices with several vendors.  Please view the recommended hardware and software list before you make your purchase.  Check out Tufts on the hub for additional software and hardware options. https://tufts.onthehub.com/WebStore/Support/WebStoreHelpContents.aspx

Laptop and Computer Services through Tufts

Tufts University offers services to graduate students on the Grafton campus such as Computer Purchase Consultations, Data Recovery, and Computer Donation and Recycling. Information can be found on the university’s https://it.tufts.edu/it-computing/computers-labs-printing/computer-donation-and-recycling

Financial Aid

Students who will be seeking financial aid should be aware that the cost of a laptop computer, up to certain limits, can be added to the student's budget for purposes of computing financial aid under the guidelines of the U.S. Office of Education. If you have questions about the financial aid application process, please contact the Office of Financial Aid here or call 508-839-8733 for detailed information, before purchasing your laptop.