Laptop Requirements
Minimum Hardware Requirements
Overview
All students, whether in the J.D. or Graduate Division, enrolled in or registered for any course at New York University School of Law are required to have, for exams and other purposes, a laptop with wireless Internet connectivity. Every student is required to type his or her exams on a computer, and handwriting will not be permitted on exams. Whether you are studying in the Law Library, collaborating in a study room, or taking an in-class exam, you will be using a computer with wireless connectivity.
Some Graduate Programs (notably NYU at NUS and the E LLM Program) may have slightly different requirements. Please visit the Graduate Admissions Laptop Computer Requirement page for reference.
For Windows Laptops
- 1 GB of memory (RAM)
- 40 GB hard drive capacity
- 2 GB USB Memory Flash Drive
- CD-RW/DVD combo drive (not required, but highly recommended)
- 10-base-T Ethernet p-card and cable *
- Wireless card with 802.11 a, g or n capability**
For Macintosh Laptops
PowerPC (G4 or higher) or Intel (MacBook) processor
- 1 GB of memory (RAM)
- 40 GB hard drive capacity
- 2 GB USB Flash Drive
- CD-RW/DVD combo drive (not required, but highly recommended)
- 10-base-T Ethernet card and cable *
- Wireless card with 802.11 a, g or n capability**
* The Ethernet card and cable are required to take advantage of ResNet for high speed Internet access from the residential halls.
** A wireless card is needed to take advantage of the wireless network. Most 802.11 a, b, g and n compliant wireless cards will work with the NYU wireless network.
Software Requirements
For ALL laptops, you must have a licensed copy of the operating system. We reserve the right to refuse service to laptops with non-licensed or unactivated copies of the operating system.
For Windows Laptops
- Microsoft Windows XP (Home or Professional) with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, OR Windows 7. (Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate ... we recommend against Vista Home Basic)
- Office Productivity Software, such as MS Office (minimum 2003 with Service Pack 1), OpenOffice or Word Perfect Suite
- Symantec AntiVirus (provided free through the University) or other up-to-date antivirus software
- PDF reading software (Adobe Reader 9.1 or better, FoxIt Reader 3.0 or better or equivalent)
For Macintosh Laptops
- Macintosh OS X 10.4-10.6 (tiger, leopard, and Snow Leopard)
- Office Productivity software such as MS Office, OpenOffice or Word Perfect suite
- Symantec AntiVirus (provided free through the University) or other up-to-date antivirus software