Laptop Recommendations 

All Stern students are required to have a laptop computer. The laptop requirement ensures that you will have access to the resources needed to successfully complete NYU Stern's program of study. 

If you will already own a laptop, or will be purchasing one for your time at NYU Stern, please check that it meets our recommended hardware & Software configuration below.

These specifications serve as a recommended baseline for those embarking on a four-year period of study at NYU Stern. Many thin, lightweight Ultrabooks—such as the MacBook Air - use lower-powered processors to minimize power consumption and increase battery life. While sustainable for common tasks such as web browsing, playing videos, and word processing, these devices may struggle with more intensive tasks. 

While we recommend using either Windows 10 or macOS, you are also free to use another operating system such as Chrome OS if it is suitable for your needs. Please note that while we will provide best-effort support to non-standard OS versions, our support is primarily focused on Windows and macOS.

Laptop Support for Stern Students

If you require support assistance with your laptop, please contact the Helpdesk on 212-998-0180 or at helpdesk@stern.nyu.edu. If your issue cannot be resolved remotely, you may be required to make an appointment to drop your laptop off at the Helpdesk for troubleshooting/repair (L100 of the Tisch Building). Please be advised that we are unable to offer a temporary replacement, so you should make alternative arrangements where possible.

Stern IT offers two levels of support for Student laptops. For Dell laptops with an Active warranty (including parts & repairs) with accidental damage protection, we offer Advanced support which includes replacement and installation for faulty hardware components.  Students with non-Dell or Mac laptops will receive Best effort support.

In most cases, Stern IT will have your laptop for up to 3 business days. If the issue requires the replacement of a hardware component, it may take longer.

Before Dropping off your laptop

Before you drop your laptop off at the Helpdesk, make sure you backup your data. Stern IT is not responsible for data backup. Please be aware that you may be at risk of losing your data permanently during the repair process if you do not back it up first. 

If you have a Dell laptop with an active warranty, you should bring a print-out to the helpdesk as proof to expedite the check-in process. To check the warranty status of your Dell laptop, go to the following website and enter your Dell service tag.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us//Products?app=warranty 

For Dell laptops with a valid warranty, please also note the version of Windows 10 installed on your laptop (e.g. Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Home) and include this information on the check-in form. This is for cases where the Operating System needs to be reinstalled. Note that Stern IT will only install the version of Windows that your laptop originally shipped with.

Please be advised that we are unable to offer a temporary replacement, so you should make alternative arrangements where possible.

Best-effort Support

Non-Dell Laptops and Mac laptops will receive the following best-effort support:

• Hardware/software general troubleshooting

Stern IT does NOT support the following scenarios for Non-Dell laptops, Mac laptops, or Dell laptops with no or expired warranty:

• Data Recovery

• Backups

• Hardware replacement/repair

• Software installation

• Operating System installs

For the above issues, we recommend that you either contact the manufacturer for support, or seek an external vendor for assistance. Apple users can go to the local Apple store at:

Please be aware that, unless you have Applecare or the appropriate warranty for your non-Dell laptop, there may be a cost associated with any repairs from external vendors

Advanced Support for Dell Laptops

Dell laptops that have an active warranty (including parts & repairs) with accidental damage protection will receive the following benefits:

• Replacement/repair of faulty hardware components

• Access to onsite Dell technicians to perform intricate repairs (note that this service is not available during the pandemic), or ability to ship your laptop back to Dell for repair

• Operating System reinstalls (we will install the same version of Windows that your laptop originally shipped with)

Stern IT does NOT support the following scenarios for Dell laptops with an active warranty (including parts & repairs) with accidental damage protection:

• Data Recovery

• Backups

• Software Installation (other that the Operating System and Antivirus software for system rebuilds)

If your laptop has been damaged accidentally, you will require Accidental damage cover in order for us to provide hardware support. Without this we will be unable to offer replacement components from Dell.