Laptop Requirement Policies
As of May 10, 2010 each new student entering the MGH Institute of Health Professions is required to bring a laptop computer to campus.
Returning students are encouraged to bring a laptop to campus based on course requirements. This policy change will facilitate continued efforts on the part of the Institute to:
- Encourage the infusion of blended learning modalities into classes
- Support greater student participation in evaluations
- Continue our “Go Green” efforts by reducing paper usage across the Institute
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) does not have loaner laptops available on campus. If you have questions, please contact the MGH Institute Help Desk.
State Law requires ALL Laptops that connect to a network containing personal/confidential information MUST be encrypted, this includes the Partners Network. See Encryption Software.
All Thumbdrives that contain personal/confidential information MUST be encrypted, this include the Partners Network. Thumbdrive policies and procedures to follow.
Information on the required CAP survey to follow.
Recommended Laptop Computers
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) recommends the use of Dell or Apple computers. Students will purchase directly from Dell or Apple and should ensure that their computers meet the minimum specifications presented below.
It is strongly recommended that you have a laptop with a battery that can hold a charge for six (6) hours or more, or that you have a second battery for your computer. Many class meetings are three (3) hours of more and on some days you may be on campus for the entire day.
Dell Computer Options
Go to the Dell University site. Follow the links until you get to the pages that allow you to configure your system, using the Customize feature based on our recommended specifications below. You will be considered a member and receive a member discount by ordering through the Dell University web pages.
Buying an Apple Laptop
Apple Educational Pricing is available through the online Apple Store. Again, by shopping through the Education web pages you will receive a discount.
Please, use the specifications provided below when you are configuring your order through Apple.
Other Considerations in Selecting a Laptop
The OIT staff is working with Apple to develop web pages similar to those at Dell. OIT will update this information when the Apple links are ready. In the mean time if you want to order a system please refer to the specifications provided below.
If you choose to purchase from a different vendor, or bring an existing laptop to campus, it should meet the minimum specifications presented below.
A reminder to Medical Imaging students: you should purchase the full laptop as you will need a full laptop with a 14” or 15” screen to run academic program specific software and accurately view medical image files. All other students can decide which option best addresses their needs.
Configuration Specifications for New Purchases
Students who plan to purchase a new computer are strongly encouraged to purchase a model from Dell or Apple. Below are some configuration options developed by the Office of Information Technology staff.
The OIT staff will support these configured systems. You can purchase system similar to theses configurations or you can configure your own computer on the Dell or Apple Web sites.
| Dell Laptop Configuration |
Dell Mini Configuration |
Apple Laptop |
| Modern Processor |
Itel® Atom® Processor Z520 (1.6 GHz /533MHz FSB /512K Cache) |
Modern Processor |
| 4GB RAM |
Genuine Windows® 7 Starter for Small Notebook PCs, 32bit |
4GB RAM |
| Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 |
Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 | 160GB hard drive (or 128GB Solid State Drive) |
| 14" or 15" Screen |
10.0" Widescreen Display (1024x600) |
Superdrive |
| 160GB hard drive (or 64GB Solid State Drive) |
1GB4 DDR2 SDRAM5 |
Ethernet |
| DVD/CD-RW | Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 500 | WiFi/Air Port wireless |
| Ethernet | Wireless 802.11g (1397) Mini Card |
Mac OS 10.6+ |
| WiFi wireless |
56WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (6-cell) |
AppleCare is strongly advised for personal purchases. |
| Windows 7 |
CompleteCare is strongly advised for personal purchase. |
|
| CompleteCare is strongly advised for personal purchase. |
Specifications for Other Computers
If you decide to bring an existing laptop or purchase one from a different vendor make sure it meets the recommended computer specifications presented below.
Please note that while lesser configurations may work in the existing MGH Institute computing environment, they may not in the future.
Also, those not meeting these minimum requirements may be unable to use available software and may not qualify for full support from the OIT Help Desk.
| Minimum Laptop Configuration |
Minimum Notebook Configuration |
Minimum Apple Laptop Configuration |
| Window XP Pro SP3 |
||
| 667MHz mobile processor |
Itel® Atom® Processor Z520 (133GHz/533MHz FSB/512K Cache) |
1.8Ghz Intel Core Duo processor |
| 512MB RAM |
Genuine Windows® XP Pro SP3 |
2GB RAM |
| Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 |
Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 |
80GB hard drive |
| 40GB hard drive |
10.1" Widescreen Display (1024x600) |
DVD |
| DVD | 1 GB4 DDR2 SDRAM5 |
Ethernet |
| 1/100 Ethernet |
160GB, 2.5 inch, 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive |
Mac OS 10.5.8+ |
| Access to a writable CD or DVD drive is strongly recommended |
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 500 |
AppleCare is strongly advised for personal purchases. |
| CompleteCare equivalent service from vendor is strongly advised. |
Wireless 802.11g (139) Mini Card |
|
| Minimum for Windows 7 |
56WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (6-cell) |
|
| Modern Processor |
CompleteCare equivalent service from vendor is strongly advised. |
|
| 2GB RAM |
||
| 80GB hard drive |
||
| DVD/CD-RW | ||
| Ethernet | ||
| WiFi wireless |
||
| Window 7 Business Enterprise |
The OIT staff is in the process of arranging more detailed information from Dell and Apple and additional information will be sent to you via email.
OIT will not service the systems that students have or purchase. However, OIT will help with diagnostic troubleshooting.
Financial Assistance:
The cost associated with meeting the computer requirement are included in the Cost of Attendance Budgets (COA) – see individual program's COA in the respective financial aid sections. Various types of financial aid are available to help students afford this requirement – see individual programs' financial aid sections.
Laptop Encryption
State Law requires ALL Laptops that connect to a network containing personal/confidential information MUST be encrypted, this includes the Partners Network.
There are Three Encryption Packages used:
- Safeboot (On Partners Build Laptops)
- Found on ALL Partners Build Portable Laptops
- Contact the Institute Help Desk for assistance with Account Activation - Choose "Support" as your Help Topic.
- PGP (For Personal MAC Laptops)
- MAC Encryption Software
- Contact the Institute Help Desk for assistance with Installation and Account Activation - Choose "Support" as your Help Topic.
- Truecrypt (For Personal PC Laptops)
- PC Encryption Software
- Contact the Institute Help Desk for assistance with Installation and Account Activation - Choose "Support" as your Help Topic.