Choosing a laptop for college can be a complicated thing. There are so many options out there, offering such a vast array of capabilities, features, and bells and whistles that selecting the right one can be daunting. Laptops can run anywhere from about $300 to $2000 or more, and that price difference often has less to do with quality and reliability than with features and capabilities you may never need or use. How, then, should you make your choice? Read our tips for choosing the best laptops for college and use the coupons and codes listed here to save even more money!
The first thing to do is to develop a clear sense of exactly what you need in a college laptop. If you are primarily concerned with the basics, like word processing, internet access, wireless, et cetera, you may be fine with something as inexpensive and simple as a netbook. These are extremely compact, relatively no-frills laptops intended for basic needs. Unless you plan to study something like music or video editing, which may involve more elaborate software and capabilities, a netbook should meet virtually all of your academic needs.
For most courses, you will only need to be able to write and edit on your computer, to participate in online discussion groups, and to e-mail, and almost any currently sold laptop will allow you to do those things. If you intend to study music or something involving video editing, you may need to do some research into higher-end laptops with more memory and possibly with more software included at the time of purchase. If you know your potential major and believe it may require particular computer capabilities, you might contact a professor or department chair to inquire about recommendations. Remember, the best laptop for college students depend on each individuals needs.
Aside from academic needs, of course, you may want to consider other uses in a laptop for college. If you are interested in watching streaming video, for example, you may want to select a laptop with HD (High Definition) video capability, or higher-end wireless technology. You might also think more about audio and speaker quality than you would if you were thinking of your computer as a primarily academic tool.
Once you figure out what features and capabilities you need, do some research about what brands are most reliable and represent the best deals. Consumer Reports is a good site for product reviews, and customer reviews on sites like Amazon.com can give good guidance. Hewlett Packard, Toshiba, and Dell are all reliable and well-reviewed throughout the range of laptop options, but each produces some specific models that are superior to others. You will also need to decide whether you want to go with a PC or a Mac. Both have advantages — PCs tend to be loaded with software that will be compatible with what most others have (like Microsoft Word), while Macs tend to be very good for music recording and similar applications.
In closing, choosing laptops for college comes down to three steps: decide what you need for school, decide what you want beyond those necessities, and do some research to find out who makes what you need best for the best price. If you think of the process systematically like this, you should be able to make a solid choice with a minimum of worry.
There are many options and features that that you’ll find in laptops for students in, or starting college. Since all students have different needs, there are going to be a wide variety of things that influence their decisions. This is also one of the most important investments that a student will make. I have had my laptop since I began college and have been very happy with the choice that I made.
In my opinion, cost, ease-of-use, and the aesthetic elements of a laptop are some of its’ most important features of the best laptop for college students.
First, a student should decide how much they want to spend on a laptop for students. The range of prices is very large. A basic laptop can be found for around five-six hundred dollars, while pricier and more complex models can be as much as two thousand. If you are only going to use your laptop for word processing and emailing, then a cheaper version may suffice. If you play computer games, or use applications that “eat” a lot of memory (i.e. music or architecture programs), then you may want to spend more to get a better system in your computer. If money is tight, going cheap may be best as you can always upgrade a few years down the line.
Students should make sure that their laptops are easy-to-use. Go to the store and try one out or talk to other students for recommendations. Also, finding out if you are a Mac or PC person may be the first step in this direction.
Lastly, aesthetics can mean a lot to many students. If you are going to take your computer out of the house a lot, then make sure it is portable. Get a laptop that isn’t too heavy or bulky. On the other hand, let’s say a student has poor vision. In that case, a laptop with a bigger screen may be the way to go.
These are just a few aspects of a laptop that could influence a student’s decision. Sit down and write a list of what is important for you. Also, I would always advise looking long and hard for good deals. It’s not fun when you buy a laptop and then find it for sale at a different store.
Reader Question: What laptop would you recommend for a college student, and why?
Every college student needs the perfect laptop to take their college experience over the top. When searching for the perfect laptop, one brand rises above the other, setting the bar for innovation and durability; Lenovo. Without a doubt, the best Lenovo laptop for college, outranking the others in performance, portability and durability is the Lenovo ThinkPad X300; ultra-light, super-portable, this laptop is nearly unbreakable and comes with a ton of features that make it a sweet deal for any student and one of the best laptops for college.
A 13” screen make this laptop user friendly for in-class use and for cramped dorm rooms, yet its rugged exterior makes it virtually indestructible, a must for any college student. The Lenovo X300 ThinkPad is also energy-star certified, making it environmentally friendly as well as user friendly. The integrated DVD burner and ultra-fast media streaming capabilities make it a cinch to turn your class presentations into something professional, which will no doubt impress your professors and awe your classmates, making you the envy of the dorm.
The Lenovo X300 also allows for easy sharing of documents and class lectures, making it all the easier to shrug off that early philosophy class in exchange for another hour of sleep or two. An Intel Core 2 Duo SL700/1.2 GHz processor comes standard and the Lenovo X300 comes Windows Vista capable, for those students who prefer that operating system. A Microsoft Office 2007 icon comes preinstalled with a sixty day free trial, as does Norton Security, with a 90-day free trial offer; all it takes is a click of the mouse and you can access and purchase the full versions of the programs.
The battery has an average run-time of 6.5 hours which allows for a full day of classes without needing to haul around the power cord and the three year limited warranty covers the basics and is similar to warranties for other laptops on the market. Power-saver technology allows for sleeper mode while not in use, extending battery life during down times in classes, a helpful feature during classes with a lab component.
Possibly one of the best features of this laptop is the fingerprint reader, a bonus for dorm room living, protecting both your personal information and your hard earned class work from the eyes of your dorm-mates and those around you at any time, as well as acting as a strong antitheft feature, not to mention adding to the overall coolness rating of the Lenovo X300 ThinkPad.
Other features include integrated Bluetooth and webcam, microphone and integrated high-definition speakers for rocking out those all night study sessions in style. USB and Ethernet slots as well as memory card slots and headphone jack come standard, making downloading pictures, syncing cameras, PDAs and other devices a breeze.
All in all, the Lenovo X300 ThinkPad could be the best college laptop on the market these days. Highly rated by reviewers and users alike, the Lenovo X300 lives up to expectations and is a sleek, smart laptop that delivers everything a college student could need, except of course the free pizza and beer. For that, you’re on your own.
Reader Question: For those who have owned a Lenovo, which one did you have and were you satisfied with it?
1. Research! Your first step should not be walking into a store to buy a laptop, that's the last step. Before you open your wallet, ask family, fellow students and friends for recommendations. Also read consumer publications and seach online for reviews.
2. Write a list of everything you want to do with your laptop. Is it going to be used just for class and assignments or do you want to download music and play games as well?
3. Narrow it down to 2-3 models that you like. Check online and offline for sales, coupon codes and other discounts before you buy.
