All entering medical students are required to have a laptop computer.
All notes and handouts are electronic, and all written exams are given electronically using ExamSoft. Either a Mac or a Window-based laptop is REQUIRED to run ExamSoft.
The recommended configurations are based on University at Buffalo’s recommendations for all students as modified by the medical school's Office of Medical Computing.
** Depending on your major and needs, 32 is recommended but 16 may be acceptable, depending on use case.
*** You may have to check the wireless card specifications as many laptops only have a 1x1 network card which is more susceptible to interference in the busy wireless environment of the University.
(Standards last updated January 13, 2026)
(Standards last updated January 13, 2026)
Some current members of the first year (Class of 2023) use iPads for displaying and taking notes during class. A very few other students use Android-based tablets in class, but tablets cannot be used with ExamSoft.
Tablets can only be used in addition to a standard laptop device. You might consider the Microsoft Surface (or a PC-tablet combo device) if you want to have a laptop that will also function as a touch screen tablet.
The Surface Pro 1, 2, 3, and 4 are compatible with ExamSoft. A keyboard and an Ethernet adapter will also be needed.
All required software, including Microsoft Office, is available at no charge to UB students through UB Information Technology. Some, like Examsoft, you will receive directions from school once you are here to download. Required web browsers for use with ExamSoft are Firefox or Chrome.