Recommended student technology

Our method of Globally Connected Learning will likely mean you have some questions regarding the type of technology you might need to ensure you get the best possible teaching experience, wherever you are in the world.

Our recommendations

In order to have the best experience, you will need to bring a laptop to University. If you don't already have one this will help guide you to the right device.

Our advice is based on recommendations if you are purchasing a new device, rather than the level of technology we expect a student to have access to. You may well find ways of being able to engage with our services with lower cost devices – please don’t feel obliged to re-purchase new kit as it is likely that your current device will be sufficient and we do have on campus alternatives for more complex cases.

Programme specific guidance

It is important to note that different disciplines will have different requirements, and recommendations need to be geared towards the right tool for the job. Your School will contact you directly if there are any requirements for your programme of study that are different to those set out here.

We don’t mind if you bring a Windows or Apple laptop, but you should ensure its running Windows 10 or MacOS Monterey, Ventura or ideally Sonoma. You should avoid a Chromebook device as we find that these are generally unable to run some of the software that might be needed for your programme.

It is generally a good idea to consider a mid-range model with a good amount of memory (RAM) and plenty of USB sockets. We have a suggested specification to look out for below which will also give the laptop longevity, but you should try and get the best you can within your budget.

Our suggested specification

  • An Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor,
  • 8Gb of memory (often referred to as RAM and different to hard disk storage) although 16Gb will give better performance and last longer,
  • A built-in webcam and microphone so you can participate in synchronous digital teaching and collaboration with other students globally,
  • Local hard disk storage of at least 256Gb using what’s called solid state disk storage or SSD if possible,
  • Look for a good capacity battery that will give you ideally a whole day’s usage although most of our teaching and study spaces do have charging points,
  • Look for a display that’s large enough to be comfortable using often, but not too large that it makes the device difficult to carry as you’ll almost certainly find you need to bring your laptop with you each day when you come to campus,
  • Ideally a warranty that covers the full time you are studying at the University. Then you can be certain that any problems later can be fixed by the manufacturer without further expense.

We estimate that a computer with the above specification would cost about £550 to buy new but you shouldn’t feel required to spend this much. It may be possible to find a good deal on a refurbished unit for a lower cost. A good independent site which may help guide you is below.

While the University does not offer direct purchasing routes for technology, we will signpost discounts available to students, for example through manufacturer sites such as HP, Dell, Lenovo or student discount sites such as UniDays.

Additional accessories

Make sure you bring all the adapters and power supplies you need and make sure you have plenty of chargers and phone cables. Here’s a short checklist:

  • Mobile phone cables and chargers,
  • An electrical extension cable which are handier than you might imagine,
  • A long, wired network (ethernet) cable as a more reliable alternative to wireless if your laptop has an Ethernet port,
  • Some electrical adapters if you are travelling from outside the UK.

Connectivity

For our on-campus students, there is good Wi-Fi connectivity and access across the University estate, including in University halls of residence using the Wi-Fi network called Eduroam. Eduroam also gives you free access to Wi-Fi networks of thousands of Universities across the world.

Before you leave for University, familiarise yourself with our guidance and download the University Eduroam app to configure your laptop and phone in advance of arriving here.

Whilst we have a number of open access computers on all of our campuses, you’ll have a more flexible experience with your own device and good connectivity.

Broadband

Broadband connectivity requirements for learning will be determined by the streaming services used to access University content. We expect that it will be no greater than the connectivity requirements of standard video streaming services such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer. Remember that sharing a connection with others in the same household will mean you will need a faster broadband speed.

Connection speeds can also be affected by Wi-Fi signal strength. You may find that moving closer to the router or using that network cable we suggested above will give better results.

Mobile data and data usage

Typically, a 4G connection from a mobile phone will provide minimum connectivity requirements, but connection speed is variable depending on location and time of day or usage.

However, coverage on all of our campuses is a little variable. On our Edinburgh campus we know that 4G, never mind 5G, is very patchy and can’t necessarily be relied upon. Dubai, Malaysia and Galashiels is much better but you’ll have a more consistent experience using our Eduroam Wi-Fi network.

If your mobile operator offers it, enable Wi-Fi calling to ensure you can continue to make and take calls on all our campuses.

You should be aware of what is included by your mobile provider; it’s very easy to run up a large bill when using mobile data. In some cases, your connection may simply stop, meaning you are unable to access your learning, or you may face additional, unexpected charges.

If you want to buy a mobile data service, we recommend that you look for an unlimited data plan which may be a bit more expensive but won’t run out at inconvenient times.  Any mobile phone shop should be able to help you with this.

Software

You don’t need to worry about purchasing any office software as the University gives you the ability to download the latest version of Microsoft Office for free and you can do this before you come to University.

The University also gives you access to online storage for you to use for all your data through OneDrive.

Student technology support

We also wanted to make you aware of the options available if you are struggling to obtain or use your own personal laptop. The University laptop loan service has introduced new loan options on our Edinburgh and Dubai campuses, and these include:

  • Short-term loan on Edinburgh campus (up to 14 days) – to be used if your personal laptop or device is missing, being repaired, or unable to do a particular task
  • Long-term loan on Edinburgh campus (duration of your degree period) – access to the long-term loan will be based on needs and personal circumstances, and you will need to follow a simple application and qualification process. This type of loan will not be self-service like the other shorter-term loans. The application for the long-term laptop loans can be found here
  • Short-term loan on Dubai campus (up to 3 hours) – to be used by students on a short-term basis on campus for their academic learning and research requirements.

The laptop loan service is free and available to all Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. Please contact IS Help or chat with one of the IS team at our service desks.

Financial support

If you are experiencing unexpected financial difficulty there are a number of resources at the University available to help based on your personal circumstances. Please get in touch if you are concerned about the financial implications of coming or returning to University.

Financial support

Further information

If you have any questions about personal technology for the new academic year, then please get in touch through our ISHelp service.