Congratulations on being accepted to Stanford!
Before You Come to Campus
Welcome to Stanford! Here are some things you might want to think about before you come to campus.
Your Personal Computer
Stanford’s Student Technical Support Team has some guidance about your personal computing environment.
Recommended Laptop Specifications
The STS Team recommends you have a laptop computer meeting or exceeding these specifications.
| Mac | Windows |
|---|---|
| Mac OS 13.3.1 (Ventura) | Windows 11 (not Home edition) |
| Apple M1 or M2 | 2.6 GHz, 6-core Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 |
| 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| At least 500 GB solid disk drive (SSD) | At least 500 GB solid disk drive (SSD) |
| 4-year extended warranty | 4-year extended warranty |
Example Models
The models listed below are examples of laptops that meet or exceed the above specifications.
| Mac | Windows |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro M3 Pro 14-in | Dell Precision 14-in 5480 |
| MacBook Air M3 13-in | Dell Latitude 13-in 7340 with i7 |
If you intend to purchase a new computer, be sure to do so as soon as possible to help ensure that you receive it before arriving on campus. Check out special educational pricing for students at the Stanford Bookstore – Stanford Computer Store | Laptops, Macs, PCs, Tablets.
Your Browser
You’ll use an online Stanford system called Axess for many tasks. Axess works best with these browsers–
- Edge
- Firefox, version 17 and higher
- Safari, version 5 and higher
- Chrome, version 35 and higher
Other Considerations
You’ll want at least one method to back up your files. An external hard drive and/or a cloud backup service are recommended.
In addition, you may also want a–
- Tablet
- Desktop or portable display/monitor
- Power strip/surge protector
Other Wireless Devices
You may bring other wireless devices, such as robotic vacuums and wireless speakers, to campus, but be aware that not all devices work well on the Stanford network. See a list of Unsupported Protocols and Devices.
Adaptive Technology
If you use adaptive technology, be sure to contact the Office of Accessible Education. They can advise you on resources available for students with disabilities. Email oae-contactus@stanford.edu, call 650-723-1066, or fax 650-725-5301.
Questions?
Contact Student Technical Support, let them know you’re an incoming student, and they’ll do their best to help.