Laptop Requirements

D.V.M. Student Laptop Requirements

All incoming D.V.M. students at Cummings School are required to have a laptop computer and you may purchase either a PC or MAC.   To ensure that you have what you need to do your work on your personal computers and devices, please refer to the following computer recommended specifications and security guidelines.

Some Additional Helpful Links 

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.

MAPP Student Laptop Requirements

All incoming MAPP students at Cummings School are required to have a laptop computer and you may purchase either a PC or a MAC.  We recommend also purchasing an extended warranty from the manufacturer to cover the cost of hardware repairs that may occur.

Please visit Tufts Student Computer Recommendations to obtain the most current information regarding hardware, software, and security for PC and Apple laptops, and mobile devices (tablets and mobile phones).

Some Additional Helpful Links

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.

Laptop and Computer Services Through Tufts

Tufts University offers services to graduate students on the Grafton campus such as Computer Purchase Consultations, Data Recovery, Travel Laptop Loaner Program, and Computer Donation and Recycling. Tufts Technology Services (TTS) offers both online and in-person technology help. See walk-up support locations here. Information about Computer Donation and Recycling can be found here.

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 or call 508-839-8733 for detailed information, before purchasing your laptop.

MS-IDGH Student Laptop Requirements

All incoming MS-IDGH students at Cummings School are required to have a laptop computer and you may purchase either a PC or a MAC. We recommend also purchasing an extended warranty from the manufacturer to cover the cost of hardware repairs that may occur.

Please visit Tufts Student Computer Recommendations to obtain additional information regarding hardware, software, and security for PC and Apple laptops, and mobile devices (tablets and mobile phones)

Laptops (PC or Mac)

Hardware

TypeRecommended for PCRecommended for Mac
Hard Drive512GB or greater Solid State Drive (SSD)hard drive512GB or greater Solid State Drive (SSD)hard drive
Memory16GB of RAM16GB of RAM
Operating System: Mojave, Catalina, Big SurWindows 10 ProfessionalOSX 10.15
ProcessorIntel i5 or higherIntel i5 or higher
Screen13 – 15”13- 15”

Software

Recommended for PCRecommended for Mac
Office Suite 365Office Suite 365

Mobile Devices

Mobile TabletsAndroid Tablet or PhoneiPhone, iPad, or iPod
Operating System/iOSOS 11.0iOS 14

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 and turn on.

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 their website https://www.yubico.com/.

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. For additional software and hardware options, check out:

Laptop and Computer Services Through Tufts

Tufts University offers services to graduate students on the Grafton campus such as Computer Purchase Consultations, Data Recovery, Travel Laptop Loaner Program, and Computer Donation and Recycling. Information can be found on the university’s Computer Donation and Recycling page.

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.

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.

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 

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.

Ph.D. Student Laptop Requirements

All incoming Ph.D. students at Cummings School are required to have a laptop computer.  Please contact your mentor for the recommendation of purchasing either a PC or a MAC.  We recommend also purchasing an extended warranty from the manufacturer to cover the cost of hardware repairs that may occur.

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 their website https://www.yubico.com/.

Some Additional Helpful Links 

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