Purchasing a Computer
Stanford offers several computer purchasing programs with reduced prices for both personal and departmental use. To view the discounted prices, you must have a SUNet ID. The Purchasing a Computer website provides general information about buying a laptop or desktop computer at Stanford. Stanford University ITS has put together web pages that describe the purchase program for both Apple and Dell computers.
Computer Recommendations for the School of Medicine*
The following desktop and laptop configurations are examples of our standard computer recommendations. We recommend that you purchase a "business class" (as opposed to "consumer class") computer, with a 3 year warranty. We recognize that some users may have other computer requirements, such as weight or size. As always, feel free to contact us at 5-8000 to discuss alternative computers. All laptops must be able to comply with SoM encryption guidelines.
Dell Hardware Recommendations Desktop/Laptop
Desktop: OptiPlex 9010:
- OptiPlex 9010
- 3rd Gen Intel® Core™ i7-3770 (Quad Core, 3.40GHz, 8MB w/HD4000 Graphics)
- AMD RADEON™ HD 7470 1GB DDR3 DP/DVI w/VGA & DVI Adapters,LP
- 16GB, NON-ECC, 1600MHZ DDR3,2 DIMM
- Dell QuietKey Keyboard
- 500GB 3.5 SATA 6Gb/s with 16MB DataBurst Cache
- 16X DVD+ and -RW SATA
- Dell MS111 USB Optical Mouse
- Internal Dell Business Audio
- 3 Year ProSupport and 3 Year NBD Onsite Service
Laptop - Latitude E6530:
- Latitude E6530
- 3rd gen Intel® Core™ i7-3540M Processor (3.0GHz, 4M cache, Upgradable to Intel® vPro™ technology)
- Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64-bit, no media
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) Wide View Anti-Glare WLED-backlit
- NVIDIA® NVS™ 5200M (GDDR5 1GB) Discrete Graphic with Optimus
- 8.0GB, DDR3-1600MHz SDRAM, 1 DIMM
- Light Sensitive Webcam and Noise Cancelling Digital Array
- 500GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
- 8X DVD+/-RW
- 9-cell (97WH) Primary Lithium Ion Battery, (3.0Ah) ExpressCharge Capable
- Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205 802.11n 2x2 Half Mini Card
- Dell Wireless™ 380 Bluetooth 4.0 LE Module
- 3 Year ProSupport and 3 Year Next Business Day Onsite Service Plus Complete Care
Ultra-light Laptop - XPS 13"
- XPS 13"
- 3rd gen Intel® Core™ i7-3540M Processor (3.0GHz, 4M cache, Upgradable to Intel® vPro™ technology)
- Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64-bit, no media
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) Wide View Anti-Glare WLED-backlit
- Intel HD4000
- 8GB DDR3L 1600
- 128GB Solid State Dr
- Intel 6235 (WLAN/BT/WiDi)
- 3 Year ProSupport and 3 Year Next Business Day Onsite Service Plus Complete Care
Mac Laptop Recommendations**:
MacBook Air:
- MacBook Air, 13-inch
- 2.0GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
- 8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
- 256GB Flash Storage
- Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
- Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
- AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook / MacBook Air / 13" MacBook Pro - Auto Enroll
MacBook Pro
- 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display
- 2.6GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
- 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
- 512GB Flash Storage
- Backlit Keyboard (English) / User’s Guide
- AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro - Auto Enroll
*Please note, these are recommendations only, for additional assistance with ordering or determining system requirements, please contact the IRT Service Desk at ext 58000, or submit a HelpSU ticket at https://helpsu.stanford.edu
**Fusion drives (combination spinning disk/SSD) are NOT approved for purchase at this time, as they are currently not supported for whole disk encryption within the Stanford SoM. Please do not purchase laptops or desktops with Fusion drives.

