Best Laptop for Nursing Students: What Programs Really Require

What laptop do nursing students need?

Nursing students need a standard Windows 11 or current macOS laptop that passes the exam software check: 8 GB of RAM or more, a solid-state drive, a webcam and a microphone, as of November 2026. Processing power barely matters. Compatibility does, so start from the exam software rather than from the general advice in our laptop buying guide.

What does nursing exam software require?

Many programs test in Examplify, made by ExamSoft, and use ATI for practice and proctored assessments. ExamSoft's minimum system requirements page says Examplify will not run on Chromebooks, Android or Linux, and that it does not support touchscreen input on Mac or Windows laptops.

On Windows, ExamSoft requires a 64-bit version of Windows 11, lists versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 as certified, and says S mode is not compatible. It also requires Secure Boot, administrator-level account permissions, 4 GB of usable RAM, 4 GB of free drive space and a screen resolution of at least 1280 x 768. On a Mac it lists macOS Sequoia, Tahoe or Golden Gate. Examplify cannot run inside a virtual machine. ATI's technical requirements page asks for Windows 10 or later or Mac OS 15 or later, and says its proctored assessments are not supported on Android tablets.

What do schools of nursing ask for?

Schools set the bar a little above the vendors. The University of Maryland School of Nursing asks for an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM minimum with 16 GB recommended, at least 250 GB of storage with an SSD highly recommended, and Windows 11 version 24H2 or later. It also requires a processor that is not ARM based.

Rutgers School of Nursing-Camden asks for Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2, or macOS 15 Sequoia or macOS 26 Tahoe, with 8 GB of RAM or more, a webcam, a microphone and an internet connection with at least 2.5 Mbps upload. It states that students need not buy a new laptop if their existing one meets the software requirements.

Can you use a Chromebook or iPad for nursing school?

No to a Chromebook, and usually no to an iPad. ExamSoft says Examplify will not run on Chromebooks. Maryland states that Chromebooks, Android tablets and all iPad models are not compatible, and Rutgers-Camden lists Chromebooks, Linux and Apple iPads as unsupported. Both name the Microsoft Surface Pro as the only acceptable tablet.

ExamSoft does publish an iPad version of Examplify, so a few programs may allow one. That is exactly why the program page matters more than the vendor page. A Chromebook is still fine for reading and notes, as our guide to Chromebooks and small laptops explains, but it cannot be your exam machine.

Does the processor type matter for exam software?

Yes, on Windows. ExamSoft supports ARM processors only on Windows 11 24H2 or higher with Examplify 3.10.0 or higher, but Maryland requires a non-ARM processor and Rutgers-Camden says the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset is not supported. An Intel or AMD laptop avoids the question. On a Mac, Intel and M series chips are both listed.

What webcam and microphone do you need?

The built-in webcam and microphone are what the software expects. For monitored exams, ExamSoft accepts an integrated camera or an external USB camera, does not support virtual cameras, and requires a microphone with no headphones. It adds that headphones with built-in microphones are not supported for those exams.

Maryland says a built-in webcam is enough and recommends a headset with a microphone for coursework. Keep both: use the headset in online classes and the laptop's own microphone on exam day. If you would rather cover the camera between sessions, see laptop privacy basics.

What battery life and weight should you aim for?

Aim for a laptop that lasts a full class day without a charger and that you will not mind carrying with scrubs, books and a lunch. Exam rooms and clinical sites rarely have a socket at every seat. A 13 or 14 inch model usually gives the best balance; our laptop size and weight page gives the figures to compare.

Protect the purchase. Rutgers-Camden recommends a three or four year warranty to cover your time as a student, and Maryland prefers an extended warranty with accidental damage cover. A well kept battery matters more in year three than in year one, so read laptop battery care early.

What should nursing students skip?

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  Chromebooks and Android tablets. Examplify does not run on them, and ATI does not support proctored assessments on Android tablets.
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  Windows in S mode. ExamSoft says S mode is not compatible. Check before buying a budget Windows laptop.
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  Paying extra for a touchscreen. Examplify does not support touchscreen input on laptops.
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  Snapdragon Windows laptops, unless your program confirms support in writing.
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  Dedicated graphics and top processors. Nothing in the exam or coursework software asks for them. Our 8 GB RAM guide shows where the real floor is.

How do you check your nursing program's requirement page?

1. 1

   Step 1: Find the page

   Search your school's name with the words nursing laptop requirements and open the result on the school's own site.

   Mark step 1 done
2. 2

   Step 2: Name the exam software

   Note which products the program uses, such as Examplify or ATI, and which proctoring vendor.

   Mark step 2 done
3. 3

   Step 3: Open the vendor page

   Read the vendor's current system requirements. Rutgers-Camden tells students that vendors update these regularly and that checking is the student's job.

   Mark step 3 done
4. 4

   Step 4: Compare the unsupported list

   Check your operating system version, processor type and device type against the program's unsupported list.

   Mark step 4 done
5. 5

   Step 5: Run the practice exam

   Install the software early and complete any mock exam the program offers on the laptop you will use.

   Mark step 5 done