What is the best laptop for college? In today’s technological climate where schoolwork relies heavily on both online and offline learning, finding the perfect computer for college-goers is a bit of a challenge. Not only is there such a wide array of choices available for prospectors, but each and every brand and model has its own unique specifications that make it even harder to choose. However, having a set of requirements and standards while browsing is the best way to narrow down that big list and ultimately bring someone to the one device best suited for them. So, what exactly does someone need to look for?
First and foremost, the type of classes and workload based on individual majors and curricula or syllabi is one important aspect that needs to be considered. Any laptop can help with online research and academic writing of any kind. Most classes in any school would require some level of outside research or writing. But, there might be a requirement for devices with a lot of storage or USB-ports for connectivity. For visual artists, computers that can run big-time image-editing software, or for musicians, recording and sound mixing programs are essentials.
It’s hard, however, to really know what kind of work a college-level class may have ahead of time. That’s why the kind of laptop that all students should look for is one that is capable of versatile functioning. Most students will want something that functions well running most program-types and have the ability to run some of them simultaneously. In addition, being able to store large amounts of documents and other necessary files is also a necessity for school. So, laptops that may have 750GB of storage space and around 6GB of RAM may be useful, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a few USB-ports that would allow for external storage options. Smaller devices, like netbooks for example, may not be the best option for students then, since storage and functions are very limited.
Weight Considerations for the Best Laptop for College Students
Students, prospective or current, also need to keep in mind that every class take place in different areas of school. Laptops will need to be portable. Its size, weight, and battery life are important factors for students who need to bring their device around with them, although these factors are entirely dependent on personal preference. Computers that are very thick and very heavy, with short battery lives are not student-friendly. Having to carry around something that is heavy and large is hugely inconvenient for a student, so bulky laptops which were designed for video games may not be the best option for campus-life.
Next, all students should always make sure that prospective laptops need to be durable, which is in some ways related to a computer’s degree of portability. Not all portables are ridiculously delicate, after all, and some can handle sharing bag-space with textbooks, notebooks, and whatever else a student may need for class. Making sure that the laptop’s outer-shell is not made out of flimsy plastic and possibly made out of stronger material is definitely a must. However, if a student’s device may be delicate, an easy alternative to replacement or return would be to buy a protective case.
Once school starts, a student’s budget may not allow for pricey electronics. At the same time, a high-price-tag doesn’t always guarantee a high quality product. Students want to buy laptops that fit all the previous requirements are a fairly cheap price, especially with the costs that college requires. Buyers must keep in mind that aside from a laptop, they must also purchase other school supplies, so their funds need to allow for both a laptop and everything else.
Conclusion
If it’s still difficult to choose between brands and models, then it may be necessary to consider a laptop’s longevity. Having to replace a laptop frequently while in school is not only costly but a hassle. Reading product reviews and doing extensive research on brands and models may be necessary to figure out how long a certain device may last. In the long run, however, this is a worthwhile process.
The best laptop for college requires thought. A brand that students may want to consider are Apple’s MacBooks, which are reliable, versatile, and extremely portable computers capable of doing more than just basic tasks. For cheaper options, HP’s ENVY laptops have it all as well. Other viable options would also be Dell Inspiron or Toshiba Satellite PCs, which are also durable yet fairly lightweight computers that have versatile functions.