Course laptop requirements worksheet

Translate your actual course requirements into a laptop checklist before comparing models. Record the institution, course and software you will use, then follow the current official requirements for the relevant software version. Keep confirmed course needs separate from preferences such as colour or brand.

Check whether the laptop you already own, a university computer room or an approved remote service can cover the work. Where requirements conflict or a course page is unclear, record a question for the course team or IT service rather than guessing that a particular device will be suitable.

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This tool does not save your entries automatically. Download a copy to keep your work, and clear the worksheet on a shared device before leaving. Do not enter passwords, account numbers or other sensitive personal information.

Course and provision

Start with the institution’s current course guidance.

Institution

Course, module and academic year

Official course equipment guidance URL

Date checked

Confirmed campus, loan or remote-computing provision

Software requirements

Use one row per required application, with its version and official requirements page.

Entry 1

Required software and version

Official software requirements URL

Date checked

Supported operating systems and versions

Processor requirement as stated

Memory requirement as stated

Graphics requirement as stated

Storage and installation-space requirement

Licence or institution-access condition

Required ports, peripherals or connection

Question to confirm

Compare your available device

Record actual specifications and check them against each requirement.

Current device and exact model

Current operating system and hardware

Confirmed gaps and unresolved questions

Portability, access and battery-use preferences

Next step

Using your worksheet

Open the institution’s official course guidance and each software publisher’s requirements page.
Record versions and dates so a later reader knows what the comparison covers.
Ask the course team to resolve unsupported platforms or conflicting requirements before purchasing.

Assumptions and limits

No minimum specification is invented or supplied by this worksheet.

Meeting a published minimum is not a promise of performance for every coursework task.