Vermont State Student Tech Requirement

A quality laptop computer is essential for successful learning and collaboration in higher education today. It is a critical tool for coursework and career and life preparation, as verified through VTSU pilot technology programs and student and faculty surveys.  

VTSU also understands that the upfront costs of new devices can be a barrier for some students when beginning or reengaging in their higher education career. The Student Tech Requirement, approved by the Vermont State Colleges (VSC) Board of Trustees in December 2023, also addresses concerns about technology affordability, equity, mobility, and access through a purchasing program developed by VTSU. 

To meet the VTSU Student Tech Requirement, a student’s computer must meet the following minimum specifications below. Please note that Chromebooks and tablets will not meet all baseline requirements.  

Age of machine: 3 years or less   

If student owns a Macintosh laptop computer: 

• Mac Book with M1, M2 or M3 (latest Apple processor) with: 
• 8GB of memory (RAM) 
• 256GB storage  
• Built-in or USB webcam 

If student owns a PC laptop computer: 

• Dell Latitude 3000/5000 series (or like model from another brand, e.g., Asus, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, etc.) with: 
• Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5  
• 16GB of memory (RAM)  
• 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD)  
• Built-in or USB webcam 

Programs with specific requirements: 

• For programs within the engineering department, including construction management, a PC laptop is required. That laptop should have a 500 GB SSD and, while 16GB of memory is the minimum, 32GB is recommended. While optional, an Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 is also recommended. Additional USB ports or a hub is strongly encouraged. A PC will be purchased for any student in these degree programs whose computer does not meet these required specifications.
• For Computer Information Systems, Software Engineering, and Information Technology programs, Windows PC, Linux or MacOS machine are acceptable. Linux and MacOS machines can have 16GB, but 32GB is recommended. Windows machines should have 32GB. A PC will be purchased for any student in these degree programs whose computer does not meet these required specifications.

To check existing computer specs, please visit: https://support.vsc.edu/learning-tools/new-computer-recommendations/

VTSU will order a 13-inch MacBook Air with Apple M2 processor with 8GB memory and 256GB storage and 4-Year AppleCare+ for Schools (no service fees; see details that follow) for students to purchase in time for the start of the fall semester. The total cost, which is discounted over retail, is $1118.

Details of AppleCare+ for Schools:
This is included in the price of your device through VTSU with no service fees.  Please keep in mind that this is different than the standard AppleCare you would purchase as a consumer buying directly from Apple. AppleCare+ for Schools with no service fee provides you with 4 full years of coverage (standard AppleCare offers only 3 years for consumer) and includes the following highlights:
* 24/7 priority access to Apple experts via chat or phone, inclusive of a dedicated support line for education.
* 4 years of hardware coverage, inclusive of up to two incidents of accidental damage per year without service fees.  Note that general consumer AppleCare requires a $99 service fee to repair screen damage or external enclosure damage, and/or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.
* Provides mail-in in addition to carry-in repair through Apple resellers

For students in the engineering, computer information systems, and construction management programs, a Dell laptop, i5, 32GB, 512 SSD, with 5-year ProSupportPlus will be ordered for you at a total cost of $1165.

Note: If a student does not register for the spring semester, they will still need to pay the remaining balance for the cost of the computer on their student account. 

As full-time undergraduate degree-seeking students complete the admissions enrollment checklist, they will be asked if they have a laptop that meets the minimum specs outlined above. If a student does not attest to meeting that requirement, a laptop will be purchased for the student and a mandated fee will be applied to their account. 

Students who need access to any specialized software required for their program can access it through the university in two ways: 

1. Through a virtual computer lab system called Apporto, available via a web browser 
2. Through on-campus computer labs 

Anyone with VTSU credentials and an internet-enabled device can log on to Apporto through a web browser to access specialized software needed for coursework. Apporto works well on laptops with lower/standard specs because the processing happens through a web browser and in the cloud. There may be a few software programs provided by a student’s program for local download, in addition to a few that may only be available on computer lab machines that connect directly to lab equipment.   

Whether a student is buying a laptop through the VTSU program or bringing their own, they will need to have Office 365 software installed. All VTSU students may install a licensed version of Office 365 on their computers for free. (The license remains active until the student leaves/graduates.) Office 365 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, OneNote, and Publisher. There are additional browser-based tools, such as the university’s Canvas Learning Management System, that will be available to you via the VTSU Portal and an Information Technology (IT) support website that links to frequently used productivity software and tools the college provides to you. 

Yes, all students may order a MacBook Air through this program. Please use this VTSU Laptop Order Form. For students in the engineering, computer information systems, or construction management programs, a Dell PC machine will be available to order. All Student Success Advisors can help answer student questions about program details and the timeline for ordering.

For students joining us in Fall of 2024:
Student accounts will be billed 50% ($559 for MacBook Air; $582.50 for Dell) in the fall semester and 50% ($559 for MacBook Air; $582.50 for Dell) in the spring semester.

For students joining us in Spring of 2025:
Student accounts will be billed the full cost of the laptop in the spring semester.

The billing process is the same whether students purchase a MacBook Air or a Dell laptop.

Affordability is a key priority for VTSU and is why we developed a way to pass on our university discount, including device and four years of warranty, to students who do not have a computer that meets the specifications. Charges will be automatically added to student accounts, allowing students to use financial aid, if desired, to pay for their computer. By electing to use financial aid, students won’t need to pay out-of-pocket for the computer they need for their coursework.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact your Student Success Advisor or the Advising office Advising@VermontState.edu for more information. 

For MacBook Air laptops:
AppleCare+ for Schools provides 24/7 priority access to technical support via chat or phone in addition to hardware coverage either via mail-in or carry-in repair; see details below. VTSU will also have loaners available so students will have computer access if their own computer needs repairs.

AppleCare+ for Schools details: This is included in the price of your device through VTSU with no service fees.  Please keep in mind that this is different than the standard AppleCare you would purchase as a consumer buying directly from Apple. AppleCare+ for Schools with no service fee provides you with 4 full years of coverage (standard AppleCare offers only 3 years for consumer) and includes the following highlights:
* 24/7 priority access to Apple experts via chat or phone, inclusive of a dedicated support line for education.
* 4 years of hardware coverage, inclusive of up to two incidents of accidental damage per year without service fees.  Note that general consumer AppleCare requires a $99 service fee to repair screen damage or external enclosure damage, and/or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.
* Provides mail-in in addition to carry-in repair through Apple resellers

For Dell PC machines:
Dell ProSupport for PCs will provide 24/7 priority access to technical support via chat or phone in addition to hardware coverage. VTSU will also have loaners available so students will have computer access if their own computer needs repairs.

Students starting in the spring 2025:

Computers purchased through the VTSU program are available for in-person pick up at the main campus location you study at or near, on Monday, January 20^th.  Information about where and when to pick up will be included in your orientation schedule. 

Current VTSU students (not new in spring 2025):

If you are a returning VTSU student who completed the form and requested to purchase a laptop through the VTSU laptop purchasing program, IT will reach out to you via your VTSU email when your laptop has arrived and is ready for pickup, and will include information about where to pick it up.

VTSU Online students (new and returning students):

If you are a VTSU Online student and you opted to purchase a laptop through our VTSU laptop purchasing program, IT will contact you via your VTSU email to arrange for delivery of the laptop.