Looking for the best laptops? Having the best computer is crucial for completing schoolwork and staying connected to your classmates and teachers. There is no shortage of good-quality computers, making choosing the best laptops a bit overwhelming. If you are looking for the best laptop for school, you’ve come to the best place. Keep reading to discover the best options on the market.
Whether you are looking for an all-arounder to assist you in your academic life and everyday tasks, a light notebook computer to carry around the campus, a big and sturdy computer with all-day battery life, one with excellent performance to carry demanding tasks like video editing, one with good OLED screen for watching movies, an intuitive and comfortable keyboard for your online classes, or just in the market for the cheapest minicomputer, then this blog post is for you. Here’s a quick round-up of the best laptops for students.
How To Choose The Top Portable Computers For Schoolwork
There’s a lot to consider when looking for portable computers for school. The best computers for college students, such as those in architecture classes, will have very different needs than an English literature major. The ones in grade school, say, middle school students who don’t know how to type or use a mouse will need a touchscreen portable computer. Whatever the case, you will want the best laptop for college with a durable build that can withstand your clumsiness.
The Best Student Computers
You’ll start with what we mentioned above. Consider who you’re buying it for and how they will use it for real-world usage. You want to find the right PC to support the student’s learning as best it can. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on gaming laptops. After all, you will most likely focus on web browsing and other school-related activities. There are many Windows laptops and Apple laptops that you can get for a good price. Make sure you also check the ports since you don’t want a laptop with not many physical ports.
Next, consider your budget to see how much you can spend on the best student laptops. A great student laptop doesn’t need to break the bank. There are top units for people on a tight budget. You can get quality Windows computers on Amazon that are Certified Renewed. These will come at a lower cost and have been completely refurbished by a team of experts. You can also look for the best microcomputer options, as other brands sell them for less.
Best Student Computers: Factors To Consider
Things You Should Look For Before Making A Purchase
Processor
The processor is the brain of the computer. It supplies the power level. The better the processor, the more power you get to run software and programs. Processing power can affect speed, load time, graphics display and movement, and how well the laptop can run when multiple pages open. Regarding processing power, you cannot go wrong with a high-performance CPU with 11th-gen Intel cores, whether it’s Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7. The same goes for their AMD counterparts. That said, not everyone needs a high-power CPU.
Operating System
This program is included within the computer that runs all of the functions. The three you’ll see the most in PCs for collegiates are Windows, Mac, and Chrome. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so consider this in terms of the user. A Mac computer may be your best bet if you’re used to Apple devices. If you enjoy playing Windows games, a Windows laptop may be better.
Windows 10 is integrated with most laptops for school. This operating system is easy to use and can be very reliable. Apple iOS may be more expensive than the other options since Apple devices tend to have higher price points. But many users swear by their Apple devices, so the investment may be worth it in the long run.
Chrome is an operating system created by Google. The main thing that has made it a popular choice among students is its functionality. It doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but it should work perfectly for students who need to do homework and projects. Ubuntu is a Linux-based operating system that works with Linux laptops. This is a popular option among gamers and video game enthusiasts. Many college students also prefer using it over other operating systems.
RAM
The amount of RAM on the laptop affects how smoothly software and programs run. You have to have enough RAM to allow things to load and the speed to keep flowing. The amount of RAM you need will depend on what you’re going to use your laptop for. For instance, engineering students who run a lot of programs will need more RAM than students who just need to write papers.
Most students use their laptops for different things. If you multi-task a lot or if you often have a lot of programs and apps open, your laptop should have enough RAM to keep everything running smoothly. If you don’t, you’ll experience a lot of lag, which may interfere with your work. Going for a model with a good amount of RAM may cost a bit more, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Storage
College students will likely need something with more storage than elementary-age students. They’ll have projects to save and keep working on and writing papers. They will need room to store their work.
Software
Most computer units include some software programs. For instance, you can get one with the Microsoft Office Suite software included. You can also find something for younger ones with age-appropriate educational software programs installed.
Screen Or Display
College or high school students taking film classes or journalism may want to have a computer with a larger screen real estate that’s high resolution and very clear. Computers for elementary school may not need Intel Core or Intel Iris XE integrated graphics. They should, however, probably have a touchscreen.
Best Battery Life
Battery life is another factor you should consider. You want a laptop with a longer battery life that can last a long time on a single charge, so you won’t have to keep it plugged in at all times. Look for models that have undergone a battery life test.
Construction
Younger kids aren’t usually as good at caring for their things as older children. You want to find a premium laptop with durable construction. It also makes sense to choose light laptops with a sturdy build because they often have to traipse across campus with their laptops thrown into overstuffed backpacks. You also want to consider a light laptop that won’t weigh you down.
There’s certainly more you can look into when you’re deciding on the best student laptop, but these are features that you need to consider. Next, let’s look at brands.
Best Student Laptop Brands
There are many good brands. However, we are all familiar with some of the heavy hitters in the technology industry—Apple, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Acer, and ASUS.
If you ask five different people what their ideal brand of computer is, you may very well get five different answers. This is because different people use portable computers differently. What one brand is very good at providing, another brand may not be so good at. The question of which laptop brand is best is very subjective. The answer you get is going to be based on the person who is being asked.
We will say that premium Apple Macbooks are reliable and last a long time. HP is good at delivering high-end performance and good battery life at a lower cost. Acer can provide many features for a much lower (more affordable) price point than competitors.
Best Laptops For School
Samsung Chromebook 4 11.6”
The Samsung Chromebook 4 11.6” is one of the best budget laptop options today. This reliable laptop is the first one to qualify as one of the top budget laptops in the market. It sells for under $300! It has an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and up to 12.5 hours of excellent battery life off one charge. It runs on the easy-to-use Chrome operating system. It has intuitive functioning, so it learns how you use your computer as you go along.
Samsung Chromebook Pros:
- Small and lightweight
- Lots of storage
- Super affordable
- Durable construction
- Easy setup and use
Samsung Chromebook Cons:
- No touchscreen
- Small screen
- No MS Office 365
HP 2021 Business And Student Computing Solutions
This HP laptop has a larger screen than the Samsung above but doesn’t have much of a higher price tag. You can get this one for less than $500. This student specifications CPU model has 8GB of RAM so that things will flow smoothly. It has an AMD Athlon Silver 3050U processor and AMD Radeon graphics. It runs on Windows 10 Home in S mode. There are plenty of ports to support connectivity. It even comes with accessories—a USB extension cord, an HDMI cable, and a mouse pad. In short, you can expect outstanding performance testing with this one. Thus, it is one of the best Windows laptop options out there.
HP 2021 Pros:
- Anti-glare, micro-edge, WLED backlit display
- Fast for everyday computing
- Windows S mode can switch to regular Windows
- Lightweight
- High quality at a good price
HP 2021 Cons:
- Not enough battery life
- Not a lot of storage
- Camera quality could be better
ASUS Chromebook C423
This Chromebook is ideal for both younger users and college students who need a more serious Chromebook CPU compared to a traditional laptop. It has an Intel Celeron N3350 processor and 4GB of RAM, so things run quickly. A webcam and microphone are integrated, so the college laptop is ready for online classrooms when you get them. You can get up to 13 hours of use off of one full charge of the battery — making it a solid battery life. It’s a little heavier than some of the other units on our list but still under 5 lbs. The build of this Chromebook is pretty sturdy, so it should last you a long time while taking everything kids will put it through and keep on trekking.
Asus Chromebook C423 Pros:
- Very affordable
- Easy to use Chrome OS
- Quick setup
- Great battery life
- Decent screen size
Asus Chromebook C423 Cons:
- Not the fastest
- Basic functioning
- Trackpad is a little glitchy
Acer Aspire 5 Best Student Laptop
This is the ideal laptop with a larger screen, but still for a really good price. The Acer Aspire 5 has a powerful AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor that pushes functionality at fast speeds. It has Alexa voice control, a backlit keyboard, a screen with thin side bezels, and is slim. It also has plenty of ports for all of your connectivity needs. The display has vivid colors, and the sound quality is pretty good, too.
Acer Aspire 5 Pros:
- Windows 10 in S mode
- Large screen in full HD
- Low price
- Lightweight and slim for easy transport
- Intel Iris XE RAM upgradeable
- Powerful laptop
Acer Aspire 5 Cons:
- Onboard RAM is good for basic tasks
- Short battery life
- The setup is a little lengthy and incorporates data collection settings
Best Computers For School: Conclusion
Finding the best student laptop isn’t about spending the most money or having the fastest machine on the market. Some of the best computers will have features to support their learning type. You need to match what you choose to the user’s needs. The top laptop options on our list all cost under $500. Make sure to look into the features mentioned above and choose wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Computers For College Students?
A List Of The Top Portable Computers, Categorized By School Level:
- For elementary school collegiates: Lenovo Chromebook Duet
- For middle school collegiates: Samsung Chromebook 3
- For high school collegiates: Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630
- For college students: Acer Swift 3
What’s The Best Windows Laptop For Students To Buy?
This depends. An engineering student will have different needs from a journalism student. But the one that will fit the needs of most types of collegiates is the HP Pavilion 14. It’s reliable, efficient, and ticks a few other boxes.
What Are The Top Laptops For College Goers?
A List Of The Top Portable Computers College Goers Can Use For Schoolwork:
- HP Envy 13
- Acer Swift 3
- Apple MacBook Pro
- Acer Chromebook Spin
- Dell XPS 13
- MacBook Air
- HP Envy x360 13
- Google Pixelbook Go
- Lenovo Legion Y545
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (8th Gen)
- HP Spectre x360
What’s The Best Brand Of 2023?
ASUS was the best student PC based on value, reviews, support, innovation, design, and warranty.
What Is A Good Computer For College?
College students reported that the Acer Swift 3 was the best device for their needs in 2020 because it is lightweight, offers solid performance, and has stellar battery life.
How Do I Choose A Laptop?
You do exactly what you’re doing by reading this article—research. Read reviews, look at features, and match what you’re learning to the needs of the students you’re buying the PC for. The best laptop should have a high-resolution screen. You’ll also need to choose the operating system that best suits what you’ll be using the laptop for.
Your processor should be powerful enough for your needs, and you should have enough RAM to ensure your device doesn’t lag. Other components to consider include the keyboard, touchscreen capability, ports, and build.
Which Is Best For Students: HP Envy Or Dell XPS?
HP edges Dell out slightly for being the best and for market share. These two are mid-range and run pretty neck and neck in many categories. Dell Inspiron, Dell XPS, HP Envy, Lenovo Yoga, Apple Macbook Air, Microsoft Surface laptop, Chromebook, and Vivobook are all good options.
Which Unit Lasts The Longest?
Consumer reports show that the HP Spectre x360, the Dell XPS 13, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 last the longest.
Can You Use A Gaming Laptop For College?
Gaming computers have different features and components than traditional ones. That said, the best gaming computers can also be used for schoolwork. Getting a gaming laptop may be a good idea if you play a lot of video games. That way, you won’t need separate computers for school and fun.
Is 8GB RAM Enough For Students?
8GB of RAM may be enough for most users, especially if you don’t use that many memory-intensive programs for your schoolwork. However, it all depends on what you’re going to use your laptop for. Students who need to do a lot of video editing, 3D rendering, data processing, and similar activities may need a higher RAM. A higher RAM is also needed if you tend to run several programs at the same time. 8GB might not be enough and may cause your device to lag.
Is 256GB The Best For A Laptop?
How Can Students Get The Best Laptops?
What Is The Best Cheap Laptop?
How Much RAM Is Needed In A Student’s Laptop?
What Makes A Laptop Fast?
Last Updated on May 11, 2023 by Jeanne Meets
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