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US Laptop Program Requirements

Students are required to have a laptop computer and bring it with them, charged, to their classes every day. Many of our families have a strong preference for either Mac or Windows computers, and students can choose either of these two operating systems. Students often base their choices on what they have used before or what other family members use. Since students often rely on family members or close friends to help answer questions about how to use or maintain their computer, we encourage students and families to think about which system is the better fit for them. 

DEVICE REQUIREMENTS

  • Laptop computer
  • Backup software or system
  • Antivirus software
  • Microsoft Office (provided with student UPrep e-mail accounts)

UPREP RECOMMENDED DEVICES

If you are not sure what to buy, the following recommended devices meet all program requirements and include additional protections against manufacturer defects and accidental damage. 

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS FOR A COMPUTER TO LAST FOUR YEARS: 

  • Processor: 

    • Windows: Intel Core i5 or better (or comparable AMD CPU)

    • Apple: M1 or better (Intel CPUs are getting phased out)

  • Operating Systems:  

    • Windows 10 (or higher) 

    • Mac OS – most current version 

  • RAM: 8 GB (or more)

  • Storage: 256GB SSD (“flash”) - These are much faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives. 

  • Screen: 13" at minimum. (touchscreen recommended on Windows devices) 

  • Webcam

  • Extended warranty (3 or 4 year warranty with accidental damage protection if possible)

Windows: We recommend choosing a laptop from one of three major vendors: Lenovo, Dell, or HP. Some options available through Microsoft offer student discounts on selected devices, but the vendor sites typically have options for students as well.

Mac: Available online through the Apple Store for Education or in person at an Apple Store. A student discount is available for Macs and can be used in-person or online.

WARRANTIES AND ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE PROTECTION

We strongly recommend that families purchase the appropriate extended manufacturer warranty and accidental damage protection coverage for their student's device. Be mindful of the terms of coverage; how soon are you comfortable with purchasing another device for your student? Also be aware of what the different policies cover. Lenovo policies often cover accidental damage to the device such as drops or liquid spills, whereas Apple laptop warranties do not. Safeware is a company that provides third-party accidental damage coverage to protect you against the cost of drops or spills as well as other coverage options (fire, theft, etc.). Your homeowners' insurance policy may also cover accidental damage or theft to the device, although often the deductible on such policies is higher than the replacement cost of the device. 

PROTECTIVE CASE AND BACKPACK

There are numerous protective case options available directly from the manufacturer or through third parties such as InCase and Otterbox. We have found that cases which are fixed directly to the device (a snap-on or wrap-around case, not a sleeve), which cover the corners of the device rather than simply the screen or back, will offer the greatest protection against accidental damage. 

Many of the backpacks available today have padded sleeves or areas to hold a device. These provide an added level of protection when a backpack is dropped on the floor, thrown in the car, or tossed into a locker. The separated section also helps to keep the device from getting sandwiched between textbooks and reduces the pressure that can easily result in screen damage. 

BACKING UP DEVICES

It is crucial that students have some method of backing up their devices to prevent data loss. Common methods include an external hard drive or cloud backup, such as Carbonite or Backblaze. On Windows devices, students can set up a separate user account for school use with their University Prep email address, which is a Microsoft account, and then sign into OneDrive. If they are signed into OneDrive (located on the desktop or in the My Docs directory) their data will automatically be backed up with no additional cost.

MICROSOFT OFFICE

Students are required to have Microsoft Office installed on their laptops for in-class use. UPrep provides a free copy of Office to all students, linked to their @universityprep.org e-mail address. New students will receive instructions on how to download and install Office from Microsoft Office 365 along with their school e-mail addresses during the summer. 

ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE

Antivirus software is required for both Windows and Mac computers in order to prevent malicious software from damaging the operating system, destroying files, sending spam emails, or infecting other computers on the network. Windows has antivirus protection built-in, and this feature provides an adequate level of protection. The Mac operating system requires additional antivirus protection.  Some vendors for macOS are BitDefender, Avira, and Avast.