You’ve had a successful semester, and you just need to turn in one final before taking a break. But when you go to turn on your computer and print the final, it takes forever to load, and you almost miss your deadline.
If you want to avoid that situation, you need the best laptop for students. That way, you don’t have to worry about your computer keeping you from doing your best.
Read on to learn more.
Portability
The best laptop for students is one that is portable. It should be big enough for you to see the screen and be able to use the keyboard for typing papers and other assignments.
However, you don’t want it to be too big or heavy. Otherwise, you won’t be able to take the laptop to class or the library, so you may not be able to study as efficiently.
While you can use a bigger laptop, it can weigh you down. If you already have to carry a lot of textbooks and other materials, getting a smaller laptop is an easy way to keep your backpack from being too heavy.
Even if you plan to keep your laptop in your dorm, you don’t want it to be too big. Then, it will just take up all of the space on your desk and make it harder for you to study.
Capacity
You should also consider how much the laptop will be able to store. Many people use the cloud or even external hard drives to store files, but it’s nice to have plenty of storage on your computer itself.
That way, you can access your files when you don’t have the best internet connection. Think about how many documents you may need to store depending on your classes so that you can get enough storage.
While you can use the cloud, you don’t want to not be able to access a vital file. Make sure there’s enough storage for at least a semester, and you can move the files after finals are done.
Compatibility
You should also think about your major and what programs you might need to use. For example, a music major may need to use GarageBand, which is only on a Mac.
Ask your professors if they require you to use any specific software. Then, you can make sure to get a laptop that will work with the software that you need to complete your degree.
If you don’t need specific software for class, consider programs you use for fun. Whether or not it’s for class, knowing what programs you need to use may help eliminate certain laptops that won’t work with what you need to use.
Think about basic programs, such as Microsoft Office as well as special programs, like video games. Then, you can ensure you’ll be able to access programs you want on your laptop.
Functionality
You don’t only need to think about your classes when shopping for the best laptop for students. Think about what you’ll spend your free time doing after you finish your homework.
If you like to watch shows and movies, you may want a more flexible laptop. Some Intel Evo laptops have a keyboard that rotates enough so that you can watch movies like on a tablet.
While you want the laptop to work well for class, you probably won’t have a desktop in college as well. And if you don’t have a TV to use, you want to make sure your laptop can serve multiple purposes.
Durability
Durable laptops can be worth it for many college students. Odds are, your laptop will sit in your backpack all day, and it may move around if you don’t have a specific laptop pocket.
If you want to keep your laptop from breaking, you should look for something durable. Make sure the laptop’s material is sturdy and won’t break with a small change.
You can always get a laptop case for extra protection, but it’s nice to not need that. Then, you won’t have to worry about being delicate every time you want to use your computer.
Speed
Sometimes, students need to be able to do something fast. Maybe you tend to procrastinate and turn things in at the last minute, or you don’t have patience.
Having the fastest laptop you can find is super useful. Then, you won’t have to give yourself as much time to turn something in online, and you won’t have to sit at your computer while your movie buffers.
Look for a laptop with a fast processor so that you don’t have to use a sluggish computer. While your laptop may get slow over time, you should get something fast at first.
That way, you don’t need to waste time when doing research or working on your homework. Instead, you can spend time actually doing the work and have more time to relax.
Performance
Along with the speed, you want to get a laptop that will perform well. If you need to use a lot of programs at once, your laptop should be able to handle that without slowing down or crashing.
Consider if you will need to use complex programs, such as Adobe Photoshop or if you just need a word processor. Students with basic needs may be able to get away with a cheaper laptop.
But you don’t want saving money to cause you to compromise on performance. Otherwise, you’ll need to borrow someone else’s laptop or go to the library whenever you need to use the computer.
Battery Life
When looking at long-lasting laptops, you want to check the battery life. Depending on your schedule, you may have a long day of classes without much of a break.
If so, you should get a laptop that will last all day so that you can use it in all of your classes. Then, you can charge it when you get back to your dorm or apartment.
Sure, you may be able to charge your laptop between classes. But you may not always be able to sit near an outlet, or you might not have enough time to add a significant amount of battery.
And since battery life can decrease, you want as much as possible from the start. Then, you’ll still get some use out of the laptop before having to charge it again.
Post-College
Whether you’re getting close to graduation or want to use the same laptop for years, think about after college. Then, you can look for the best laptop for college students and recent graduates.
You should get a laptop that will allow you to write and send a resume and cover letter. If you want to work in a creative field, such as design, your laptop should also support creating and storing your portfolio.
Even if you plan on getting a new laptop when you graduate, you want to prepare for your career in school. Then, you can make sure to get a good job in your field.
Preferences
The best laptop for students can also depend on the preferences of different students. Some people may have used Apple devices for years, so it makes sense to get a MacBook.
On the other hand, you may prefer using Windows, so you compare different Windows computers. You might also prefer a thinner laptop or one with a touch screen.
No matter what, your preferences matter. As long as they don’t keep you from being able to do coursework, you can let what you want in a laptop help narrow your search.
Then, you can enjoy using your computer, and you may enjoy your college experience a bit more.
Price
Of course, college students also need to think about how much a laptop costs. Be sure to consider your overall student budget to determine how much you can afford to spend on a computer.
Think about the price overall but also per use. For example, a $300 laptop that breaks down after a year will be more costly than a $1,000 laptop that lasts for four years ($250 per year).
As a student, you can look for special student discounts. Then, you may be able to get the best laptop for students without having to pay full price.
Added Costs
When you break down the price of the laptop, think about some associated costs. For example, maybe you want to get Microsoft Office, which has a monthly or annual fee.
You might also need to pay for a cloud storage service or special software for your major. Calculate the entire cost of the laptop and software and see if there are ways to save money.
For example, you may choose to pay for more storage and go without a cloud subscription. Or you might decide to use Google Drive instead of Microsoft Office.
How Will You Choose the Best Laptop for Students?
The best laptop for students can vary based on student needs and preferences. Think about everything from your major to how you plan to use the computer.
Then, you can make sure to choose a device that will work throughout your degree and even as you start working.
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