Bring your own device (BYOD)
Bring your own device (BYOD)
If you’re beginning your studies at Monash, you’ll need access to a laptop that meets our recommended minimum specifications. You’ll need a laptop to sit your eExams, live-stream lectures, and use a range of free, specialist software on your own device (through MoVE).
Recommended minimum laptop specifications
We recommend that your laptop use Windows or Mac operating systems that have the following minimum specifications.
| Windows | macOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | i5 2.2GHz / AMD A6 1.8Ghz | 1.2GHz dual-core m3 |
| Operating system | Windows 11 | macOS 13 (Ventura) |
| Memory | 8GB | 8GB |
| Hard drive | 120GB SSD (solid state drive) | 120GB SSD (solid state drive) |
| Display | 14" screen with 1920 x 1080 screen resolution | 13" screen with 1920 x 1080 screen resolution |
| Battery life | 4 hours under normal use | 4 hours under normal use |
| Wi-fi | 802.11ac or better | 802.11ac or better |
| Webcam | User facing, inbuilt microphone and speakers | User facing, inbuilt microphone and speakers |
You’re not allowed to use Chromebooks, tablets, mobile phones or virtual machines to sit eExams.
Engineering students
You are strongly advised to use a Windows laptop for your engineering studies. Apple MacBooks with ARM-based processors are not suitable, as they don't support essential software used in the course and will require complex workarounds that may fail.
| Recommended minimum specifications | |
|---|---|
| Processor | 6+ performance cores, 4.5 GHz (Boost) |
| Memory | 16GB (32GB recommended) |
| Hard drive | 512GB SSD (1TB recommended due to large engineering programs) |
| Graphics | Dedicated GPU with 6 GB+ VRAM highly recommended (eg. NVIDIA RTX 3050, AMD RX 6600M). Integrated graphics processors are NOT suitable. |
| Display | 15.6" screen with 1920 x 1080 screen resolution |
| Webcam | User facing, inbuilt microphone and speakers. Headset with boom mic recommended |
Testing your device for a Monash eExam
You can check whether your computer can run a Monash eExam using our secure device test. Check our eExams device and system specifications page for more information.
Buying a new laptop
As a Monash student, you can get discounts on laptops.
Getting financial help
If you’re experiencing financial difficulty, you may be eligible to apply for the following:
- a scholarship
- a student loan
- student grants (these are available in cases of extreme financial hardship).
MoVE
The Monash Virtual Environment (MoVE) allows you to access specialised applications on your laptop or tablet – anywhere, anytime, for free! If you're enrolled in a unit that requires MoVE, you’ll need to bring your own device to class.
See the MoVE page for more information and instructions on how to get access, or click the MoVe link in the Student Portal.