Laptops are the main tool for college students. They use these devices to take notes during lectures, research study content, and complete assignments. Over time, computers can malfunction or not perform as they used to. You can repair them and reinstall various software to keep devices functioning. But there comes a time when nothing helps.
That’s when you should start thinking about buying a new device. Many students don’t know the first thing about choosing a laptop. Not everybody can spend hours comparing and analyzing different models and configurations. Yet, you can learn about the specs your computer should have in this guide.
Price
Students aren’t known for having large budgets. Of course, some have enough funds to hire paper writing services to help them with assignments. But most can’t spend thousands of dollars on top hardware. Lucky for you, plenty of budget laptop models are available now. For example, you can consider such products as:
- ASUS VivoBook S15;
- Dell Inspiron 15 5000;
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 1;
- HP Chromebook 14a.
These models come in different sizes, shapes, hardware, and software. Once you know your laptop budget, choosing a device will become easier.
If you don’t have enough money, try renting a device or sign up for a series of smaller payments. You can pay the full value of a laptop in 2 years or so. It’s not that hard, considering that cheap models cost around $300.
Battery Life
There’s nothing worse than a laptop battery dying on you. Thus, you should look for devices with a good battery that will last 8-10 hours without recharging. This way, you’ll stay focused during classes and lectures instead of looking for an outlet. Power banks are an option, but they’ll occupy more space in a backpack.
Note that battery specification descriptions can sometimes be misleading. Manufacturers test their devices in pristine situations. Before picking up a device, make sure to watch several reviews of its battery capacity. You’ll better understand how the laptops operate in real-life conditions. Of course, battery life is nothing if the laptop can’t work fast.
Processing Power
You don’t have to go over the top when looking at hardware specs. Your computer should be powerful enough to run web browsers and work on word processing. In general, a decent laptop should come equipped with 8GB RAM and Intel Core i3. If the latter is unavailable, any processor with a speed of 3.5 to 4.2 GHz will do.
These are enough to carry most students through their college. But, engineering, image, audio, and video editing software may need more advanced laptops. If your budget and needs coincide, it’s better to invest in more powerful hardware.
Another important aspect of selecting a laptop is the storage space it provides.
Storage Space
Most students will find 256GB of storage to be enough for their daily work. Yet, art, programming, photography, and engineering students will enjoy extra physical storage. In extreme scenarios, even 1TB of space can’t store all required applications and files.
Thankfully, there are many external drive models available. You can invest in extra cloud storage if you have the budget for it. There are also many free options available, such as Google Drive.
Extra Upgrades
Your new computer has to ideally last until you graduate. That’s why you should look at devices with upgradeable hardware. For example, some of the models allow expanding storage and increasing RAM. You won’t be compelled to do this, but it will be nice to know that the option exists. Maybe you’ll work with more demanding hardware along the way.
For example, installing more RAM will make Autocad or Blender software run faster. Another good part of such devices is that their broken components can be replaced. That’s much cheaper than buying new devices.
Display
Another important part to consider is the device’s screen. You will spend hours looking at it, so the display shouldn’t strain your eyes too much.
Devices with 15.6-inch displays will work fine for most students. But programmers and graphic designers will find bigger models more to their liking.
If you need more workspace, buy another monitor for your dorm room. You won’t have to squint as much to see what’s on them. It’s also a good thing if the laptop has an eye care feature.
Software and Operating System
The laptop you choose should come with a lot of pre-installed programs. It will save time on manually downloading software. Such models are a gift to those less technically savvy. Practically every laptop has one of the three operating systems installed on them:
- Chrome OS;
- Windows;
- macOS.
But not all of them have pre-installed office suites, which is one of the essential apps out there. If you prefer Windows, consider the Microsoft Office 365 packages. These will take extra cash out of your pocket. Both Windows and macOS users can install free apps, such as LibreOffice and Canva.
Another option is to band with your peers and pay for subscriptions together. For example, you can access a paid version of Canva Pro. Group licenses also cost a lot cheaper than individual ones. It’s a great way to save money.
Weight and Size
As a student, you have to carry your laptop around everywhere. So, you must make sure that it fits in your backpack and doesn’t weigh too much. There has to be enough space for books, notebooks, pens, smartphones, and other things. Your tools don’t have to tire you out completely by the end of the day.
Try looking at such models as Acer’s IdeaPad 3 and Microsoft’s Surface Go 3. Generally, 13” laptops are better than 17” gaming models to carry around. Although if you have enough space and money, you can go with that choice.
Conclusion
Picking a new laptop can be a daunting task, especially if you have never done this before. Take time to look at each of the specs described above. You’ll soon find the laptop that will serve you for years after graduation.
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