To be successful in your studies as a Vanderbilt School of Engineering student, you must have a portable computer that will run software needed for coursework. To ensure that your laptop will be able to do what is needed for your classes, it is essential that it meet the specifications below.
You can buy your laptop through the vendor of your choice. The Vanderbilt Bookstore is one option for you. For students with demonstrated need, Vanderbilt will provide a loaner laptop for the student to use while enrolled in the School of Engineering.
Whatever laptop computer you use in your studies must be able to run application software designed to run on Microsoft Windows. Some application software will not function well or at all on a Mac. Also, Mac computers do not always work with external hardware required in some engineering classes. As such, students considering majoring in biomedical, civil, electrical & computer, environmental or mechanical engineering should have a PC and not a Mac. Students majoring in chemical engineering, computer science, or engineering science are free to purchase either a PC or a Mac.
Class of 2029 Computer Specifications
Please note that the specifications below are minimums (preferred specs in italics).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Vanderbilt School of Engineering Laptop Loaner Program
- What is the Laptop Loaner Program?
- The Laptop Loaner Program provides School of Engineering students with demonstrated financial need with a Vanderbilt-owned laptop for use during their undergraduate career.
- Who is eligible for the program?
- New School of Engineering students with demonstrated financial need (Opportunity Vanderbilt) as identified by the Office of Student Financial Aid through the College Board Financial Aid Profile are eligible for this program. Also included in this program are new Cornelius Vanderbilt scholarship recipients entering the School of Engineering.
- New School of Engineering students are identified as:
- Entering Fall 2025 first-year students
- Entering Fall 2025 transfer students from other colleges or universities
- Intra-University Transfer (IUT) students whose first semester in the School of Engineering is Fall 2025.
- Is this a rental or lease program?
- No, this is a loaner program. Students do not rent or lease the laptops; they are provided on loan by Vanderbilt University for the entirety of the student’s Vanderbilt undergraduate career, including during holiday and summer breaks.
- What happens if eligible students don't pick up a laptop?
- If students choose not to claim a laptop initially, they may still do so later. However, students who opt out will not receive any financial credit toward their student account.
- Do students have to participate in the Laptop Loaner Program?
- No, participation is completely voluntary. However, for students to be successful in their studies in the School of Engineering, a portable computer that meets the specifications listed here is essential.
- Is the laptop a PC or Mac?
- The loaner laptop will be a PC machine with a Windows operating system.
- Can students purchase their own laptop?
- Students can use their own funds to purchase a laptop through a vendor of their choice, including the Vanderbilt Bookstore.
- Domestic students can contact the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) if they wish to obtain federal loan funds to purchase a laptop through a vendor of their choice.
- What agreement do students need to sign?
- The agreement is part of the financial aid document process managed by the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA). If students are eligible for the program, a checklist item will be included on their Financial Aid Checklist in the YES portal. This checklist item and agreement will be available by June 1. You will be notified by email by June 1 that the agreement is ready to sign.
- What are the responsibilities of students regarding data and software?
- The laptops come with standard software and are subject to Vanderbilt’s usage policies. Students are responsible for backing up their own data, as Vanderbilt will not provide backup services.
- What happens if a laptop is not returned?
- Students must return the laptop at the end of their undergraduate career. Failure to return the laptop will result in a $100 charge.
- What happens if a student takes a leave of absence (LOA)?
- The laptop remains with the student during their LOA. However, it must be returned when the student completes their undergraduate studies or withdraws from the university.
- What happens if a student transfers out of the School of Engineering into another of VU’s undergraduate colleges / schools?
- Provided the student remains enrolled at Vanderbilt, they can continue to borrow the laptop computer.
- What if my laptop needs repairs?
- A rapid repair or replacement plan is being developed to minimize downtime, aiming to provide a functioning replacement within one class day. A four-year warranty is included with each laptop.
- Students who need laptop support should contact Vanderbilt University Information Technology by phone 615-343-9999, text 844-436-1567, service portal or chat at tdx.vanderbilt.edu, or in person at Hill Center.
- What if the laptop is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair?
- The student is responsible for reporting a lost or stolen laptop to VUPS and VUIT as soon as possible.
- The student is responsible for acquiring a replacement laptop if their loaner device is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair. If this happens, the student will assume full responsibility for their computing needs for the remainder of their course of study at Vanderbilt. In addition, the student may be charged the then-going rate charged by VUIT for excess computer inventory. Currently this rate is $100.
- Can I purchase the laptop when my enrollment at Vanderbilt ends?
- At the end of the student’s enrollment at Vanderbilt, they can purchase their laptop for the then-going rate charged by VUIT for excess computer inventory. Currently this rate is $100.
- What hardware and software will be included?
- The laptops will have a standard set of hardware and software determined by the School of Engineering and VUIT. Students will have sufficient administrator privileges to download and install software.
- How will Vanderbilt manage these devices?
- Since Vanderbilt owns the laptops, VUIT will manage these similarly to faculty and staff laptops, including cybersecurity measures.
- Where and when can I pick up my laptop?
- Laptops will be available for pickup at the Hill Center beginning on move-in day. The guest entrance to the Hill Center is located on the side of the building adjacent to the Commons.
- May I personalize my laptop?
- Yes! Students may change the desktop image, arrange their taskbar as desired, add stickers to the case, and personalize in other ways that do not damage the device.
- Students will have administrator privileges on the laptop and may install software provided it meets Vanderbilt’s cybersecurity requirements, University policies, and guidelines.
- What if I have additional questions?
- For technical assistance, contact VUIT via their contact form, call 615-343-999, send a text to 844-436-1567, or visit their website to chat.
- For general questions regarding the program, including eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid via their contact form or call 615-322-3591 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST Monday–Friday.