Business

The Ultimate Guide on How to Choose the Best Laptop for College

Reports indicate that the laptop market segment will reach $150 billion by 2025. Most colleges have adopted virtual learning, so having a laptop is a requirement today. It would be best if you thus utilized this laptop buying guide for the best option for college.

Anyone that’s shopped for a laptop before can attest to how confusing the options can be. The advancing technology makes the laptop options have differential properties. Depending on your needs, you can narrow your choices to an alternative that you can work with.

The right laptop for college makes studies a lot more bearable since you can easily access resources. As a college student, you’re more interested in a functional laptop, so take your time when choosing. It’d be a total bummer if you end up regretting the laptop you chose, so choose wisely.

Wondering where to start with the laptop selection? Continue reading to learn the ultimate guide on how to choose the best laptop for college.

Think of the Performance

College students, unlike most adults, will be more explorative of their laptops. It’s thus wise to consider performance before you buy a laptop.

What applications are you planning on installing on your new laptop? Are you interested in gaming or other heavy programs? The answer to such questions determines the ideal performance specifications for you.

You can evaluate performance specifications based on several aspects, including;

Graphics

Aside from the CPU, your laptop uses an integrated chipset for the graphics. Graphics control the output and are mostly built into the processor.

Today’s devices and their graphics are more powerful than ever, allowing you better displays. However, if you’re interested in gaming on your laptop, you might have to go for an option with dedicated graphics. They’re more powerful but come at a price to give you an output unlike any other.

RAM

The Random Access Memory (RAM) supports your laptop’s easy running, hence influencing performance. The RAM offers short-term memory for your device to allow the running of multiple programs simultaneously.

As you’d guess, the bigger the RAM, the easier it is to run complex programs on your laptop. Most laptops will have 4 GB or 8 GB RAM, but you can expand to 16 GBs for better performance.

Consider Form Factors

Over the years, there have been considerable improvements to laptop designs. Today, you can get a unique-looking laptop thanks to the various form features they spot.

There are several laptop designs determined according to the form factors, and they include;

Clamshell

This design is a more traditional one involving all-in-one laptops. The clamshells feature a flip and close feature alone for improved connectivity options. Clamshells are still a popular choice since they don’t need much maintenance.

2 in 1s

Recently produced laptops offer flexibility without compromising on performance. 2 in 1s are able to provide the best of both worlds where you can switch between a laptop and tablet with ease.

You’ll have to decide which option between the detachable and convertible 2 in 1s you prefer. You’ll want something stylish as a student, so consider a 2 in 1 laptop.

Decide on the Operating System

The Operating system on your laptop determines its functionality. It’s practically the laptop’s brain, so you need to decide on which OS suits you best.

Windows is the most popular OS today, with most laptops having it pre-installed. It’s also among the easiest to use, thus creating a hassle-free environment conducive to learning.

You may also opt for something a lot more technical such as the Linux OS. This operating system is quite hard to use for beginners, but a college developer will appreciate it.

Chromebook is a recent favorite for many allowing simultaneous operations on multiple devices. It thus offers convenience for college students making it easier for them to learn.

You can choose the laptop with an Operating system you’re comfortable using. Your laptop’s functionality depends on the OS, so ensure it’s one that can meet your needs.

Laptop Size

Your laptop’s size will, in most cases, determine its weight. You, therefore, have to consider the size if you’re not interested in a bulky laptop.

Every college student wants a featherweight laptop they can carry around with ease. Start by considering the screen size since it determines the laptop size. There are 11, 13, 15, and 17-inch models that you can choose from.

Consider the laptop’s weight and ensure that the whole PC will be easy to carry. Thin and lightweight laptops, also called Ultrabooks, will be a convenient option for college students. The right laptop size makes the whole point of convenient computing a lot easier.

Storage

Now that most of your learning material will be in soft format, you need to have enough space to store it. You have to consider the storage before you purchase a laptop.

Laptops are equipped with their own long-term memory alias ROM. The data you download on your computer goes into the memory for future retrieval and use. Therefore, you need adequate laptop storage to cater to all of your needs.

There are two types of storage on laptops, namely;

• Hard disk drive (HDD)

• Solid-state drive (SSD)

SSD’s offer faster access to data, which contributes to the laptop’s speed. The memory can also store much more information on so little space meaning they make the laptop lighter. Choose a laptop with SSD storage to enjoy a more reliable PC.

Battery Life

The battery life is always a huge concern when choosing a laptop. When it comes to laptops, they’re mainly powered by a battery for convenience. You thus have to check the battery capacity to ensure that it can serve you adequately.

Unfortunately, establishing your laptop’s battery life is no easy feat. There are so many factors that determine how long your laptop can keep its charge.

Consider the model and power usage needs for your laptop to know how much will be adequate. Certain processor speeds can be power-intensive, causing a faster drain on your laptop. You should thus make sure that the PC can offer you at least four hours of standby performance.

Beware of power hogs in your laptop, such as programs that cause a strain on your battery. You should also check your battery’s health often to ensure you maximize the operations.

Ports and Accessories

Of course, your laptop doesn’t operate without the help of a few peripherals. When connecting your laptop to other peripheral devices, you need to have the right ports. It’s essential to consider what ports and accessories your laptop has before buying it.

The different ports and accessories available on laptops include;

Ethernet ports: Facilitates a direct link to a wired network for your computer.

USB ports: offers fast connection and data transfer from the various recognized devices.

HDMI: the port allows you to connect to an external display.

SD reader: When connecting to digital memory cards, you need the SD reader slot on your laptop. It makes transferring digital photos onto your laptop quick and easy.

Disk partition: Found on larger laptops and includes a tray to place CDs and DVDs on.

Work Within Your Budget

How much do you have to spend on the new laptop? The amount you pay should be pre-planned for, and it’s interesting to ensure you work within your budget.

The laptop budget will be a lot more skimmed with all the admissions and fees. It can come as a bummer when you can’t go all out to get the most expensive option. Fortunately, the most costly isn’t always the best for you; you can find an option with excellent performance at reasonable prices.

Don’t exceed your budget when spending on a laptop. You wouldn’t want overspending on a laptop purchase to affect your finances, would you?

Scour around the market for a look into the various deals that you can get. Consider value on the money you spend on the purchase by finding laptops with impressive features. Compare the selling price of the same laptop with multiple dealers to find the best-priced option.

Brand

Aside from the features, each brand has its own unique products and designs that they offer. Laptop brands are always in competition to capture the market demand. You should thus look through the brand options and go for the most reputable.

Brand names such as Lenovo have consistently produced some great laptops over the years. The reputation is something to go by, and you should check out this company product. Getting yourself a laptop from a reputable brand ensures that you enjoy longevity with your PC.

Use This Laptop Buying Guide to Choose the Best Laptop for College

Choosing the best laptop for college can be overwhelming with the many available options. You should select a laptop that’ll suit your needs which means you check its features. The above laptop buying guide contains features that help you find the best laptop for college.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, we’ve got more educative content lined up for you. Visit our website today!