The Med School Tech Checklist | Dr. Iggy
DR. IGGY  ·  FOR FUTURE PHYSICIANS

The 5 Tech Items I'd Buy Before Day One of Med School.

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0 of 5 ready for day one
1
A Reliable LaptopYour daily driver for lectures, notes, schedule, assignments.

Why this matters

This is where you'll watch your lectures, take notes, manage your schedule, and complete most of your assignments. You don't need the most expensive option. You need something fast, dependable, and lightweight enough to carry every day.

What to look for

  • 13 to 14 inch screen, under 3.5 lbs
  • At least 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB SSD
  • 10+ hour real-world battery life
  • Solid keyboard (you'll be on it every day)
3 picks · budget to premium
Budget
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
15.6 inch, Windows, fast SSD. Solid daily driver if you don't need Mac.
~$400 View →
Premium
MacBook Air 15" M3
Same speed, bigger screen. Best for split-screen study without a monitor.
~$1,100 View →
2
A Tablet With A StylusFor anatomy diagrams, lecture slides, handwritten notes.

Why this matters

Especially helpful for anatomy diagrams, lecture slides, and handwritten notes. You can keep thousands of pages of material in one place without carrying around multiple textbooks.

What to look for

  • 10+ inch screen, low input lag with the stylus
  • Pressure-sensitive pen (palm rejection on)
  • Works with Notability, GoodNotes, or OneNote
  • USB-C charging, full-day battery
3 picks · budget to premium
Budget
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
S Pen included in the box. Big screen, low price, works with OneNote.
~$320 View →
Premium
iPad Pro 11" M4
For anyone who'll use it for years past school. Apple Pencil Pro sold separately.
~$900 View →
3
Noise-Canceling HeadphonesTurn any space into one you can actually study in.

Why this matters

Med school requires a lot of focus and study time. You won't always be able to control your environment. A good pair of headphones turns a loud library, apartment, or study area into a place where you can actually concentrate.

What to look for

  • Active noise cancellation, not just passive
  • 20+ hour battery life
  • Comfortable for 4+ hour study blocks
  • Bluetooth multipoint (laptop + phone at once)
3 picks · budget to premium
Budget
Anker Soundcore Q45
Real active noise cancellation under $150. Long battery, foldable.
~$140 View →
Premium
Sony WH-1000XM5
Best-in-class ANC. Over-ear for 4+ hour blocks. Wear them all day.
~$280 View →
4
An External MonitorSecond screen. Notes, lectures, practice questions side by side.

Why this matters

A second screen lets you keep your notes, lectures, and practice questions open at the same time. One of the easiest ways to make your home study setup more efficient.

What to look for

  • 24 to 27 inch, 1080p minimum (1440p is better)
  • USB-C with power delivery (one cable to your laptop)
  • Adjustable height + tilt to protect your neck
  • Low blue light mode for evening study
3 picks · budget to premium
Budget
Dell 27" 1080p Monitor
Cheap, clean, gets the job done. Plug in over HDMI from your laptop.
~$150 View →
Premium
Dell 27" 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
Charges the laptop and connects every accessory. One cable. Future-proof.
~$660 View →
5
Bluetooth Keyboard And MouseSit back. Stay ergonomic. Keep your ports free.

Why this matters

If you're using the external monitor, it helps to sit further away from both screens and control everything without reaching for your laptop. Bluetooth specifically, so you can keep your computer ports free. No extra adapters. No USB receivers. Stable, reliable connection.

What to look for

  • Multi-device Bluetooth (laptop + tablet)
  • Rechargeable, not AA batteries
  • Quiet keys (libraries will thank you)
  • Mouse: low-latency, palm-friendly shape
3 paired picks · budget to premium
Budget
Logitech K380 + TECKNET BT Mouse
Multi-device pairing. Under $60 for the pair. Perfect first setup.
Premium
Logitech MX Keys Mini + MX Master 3S
The pro creator combo. Best wireless typing experience there is.
REMINDER

You don't need every piece of tech to succeed in med school.

You just need a few reliable tools that make learning easier and remove unnecessary friction. Get the five right and stop shopping.

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