So I tested each screen with sample videos and tested the audio performance with headphones attached (via a jack, where available, and via BlueTooth) and without. Since portability is key for students, I tested the current crop of laptops on the go and have considered weight, battery life and connectivity (the ability to plug into TVs and other devices). How I tested the best laptops for students “The new Macbook Air with the new M1 processor is ultraportable, fast, super quiet and still reasonably priced,” he says. He also praises Microsoft’s Surface machines and Dell laptops.
#BEST APPLE LAPTOP FOR COLLEGE FRESHMEN PORTABLE#
Griffiths says that if he was shopping for student laptops himself, he would probably opt for a MacBook Air, due to how light and portable it is. For students whose courses are heavily essay based or require the use of complex software, a good student laptop is probably more suitable and a safer bet.” He says, “It’s worth noting that additional elements of a tablet such as pens and detachable keyboards can add up to be quite costly and sometimes cost more than a decent laptop. Some laptops come in the form of a tablet or convertible, offering creative students a way to write or draw on screens, and a good ‘half-way house’ between tablets and laptops - but Griffiths warns on hidden costs with such machines. But if you use cloud storage and external hard drives, it’s possible to get away with an 128GB solid state drive (SSD), which will usually lower the price considerably. When choosing storage, 256GB will offer ample room, says Griffiths. Intel’s Core i7 and Apple's M1 and M2 chip processors are a popular choice that allow you to create, edit and share 4K content smoothly.” If your studies require the use of demanding software, for example engineering, video editing and music production will require a more powerful processor. “If you plan on using the laptop for more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, I would suggest one with 8GB or 16GB RAM. A higher RAM will mean a faster, more capable machine.įour gigabytes of RAM should be fine for a general purpose student laptop, Griffiths says, handling basic tasks such as email, web browsing and word processing. RAM, meanwhile, is your computer's working memory. More gigabytes of storage means you've got more room for files and applications. When picking the best laptop for university students, think closely about what you actually need, Griffiths advises.īoth RAM and storage are measured in gigabytes, or GB. It’s worth noting that students can benefit from steep discounts and student laptop deals when buying from manufacturers including Apple, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung, Griffiths says.Īpple and Dell student discounts range from 10% up to 20% depending on device, so it’s always worth Googling, for example, "ASUS student discount", so that you can find out if there are any student discount laptops available. Mid-range laptops tend to be more durable than the cheapest options, so it's best to choose something that will last the length of your course to find a good laptop for students. So what are the ingredients for a great student laptop? I spoke to Charles Griffiths, Head of Innovation and Technology at IT services provider AAG, who has long experience sourcing technology for the education sector, about the best student laptop deals.Ĭharles says, “You don't need the most expensive student laptop on the market, but you also don't want the cheapest one either. At a glance - the best laptops for students in 2022īest for portability – Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbonīest budget laptop – Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2īest Chromebook – Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360
#BEST APPLE LAPTOP FOR COLLEGE FRESHMEN HOW TO#
Below, I explain how to choose the best laptop for university, but if you're pressed for time, here's a quick look at this year's best. Other laptops bridge the gap between tablet and traditional laptop, with detachable keyboards and swivelling screens for added portability. In recent years, there’s been a trend towards ultra-slim machines that don’t skimp on performance (sparked by Apple’s MacBook Air and its many imitators), so there are some extremely powerful laptops which can easily be carried in a bag, most of which make a good laptop for students. What makes the best laptop for students? It’s a combination of portability, connectivity and price, with today’s students likely to be Wi-Fi warriors who use their machines on the go and who attend lectures via Zoom as well as in the flesh.