Laptops are now essential work tools for students. They are particularly useful for following distance learning courses, taking notes, carrying out practical work, obtaining documentation, etc. Laptop PCs also promote student mobility during information gathering, group projects or revision periods. They must only be suitable for their future use.
Criteria for selecting a laptop for studying
Students are generally guided by financial concerns. As a result, they often decide toopt for an HP laptop. The brand offers a wide choice of devices at reasonable prices, from PCs to Chromebooks. Even in this case, it will be necessary to take into account the characteristics influencing the daily use of the machine. The basic criteria in this area include, among others:
• The reliability of the manufacturer (Apple, Asus, Google, HP, Huawei, Lenovo, etc.);
• RAM. It is strongly recommended to choose a PC with at least 4 GB of RAM. This factor is decisive for the execution speed of the operating system and installed applications;
• The processor. The CPU must have at least 4 cores (quad-core or i3 later than the 8th generation) to support multitasking operations, viewing 4K videos and intensive use of office work;
• Storage capacity. The device will need a minimum 32 GB hard drive to store the OS, applications and user files;
• Battery life. The laptop should offer at least 7 hours of battery life to allow you to work in good conditions;
• The screen. A 14-inch display is more than enough for most uses. On the other hand, it is better to choose a larger screen for very visual fields such as design, architecture, special effects, etc. ;
• The weight. A laptop is supposed to be carried to university, to the library, outside, at home… It is therefore advisable to favor a device weighing less than 2 kg to facilitate transport.
That said, needs can vary significantly depending on the sector and the type of work requiring a computer. The functionalities sought will indeed be different for a student in computer science, graphics, literature, medicine, engineering, etc. In addition, it is imperative to find the balance between the performance and practicality of the device. An imposing screen risks, for example, being bulky and difficult to protect during travel.
Best laptops for students: HP ProBook, ChromeBook and Huawei MateBook
HP Probooks are some of the best laptops for students. In fact, they are accessible from around 500 euros. These PCs also display a configuration adapted to this profile. For information, the Probook 445 G8 has a 14-inch screen, a Ryzen 3 5400 U CPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD storage and Windows 10 Pro. This is one of the most affordable models in the range.
The brand also allows you to go below 500 euros through its low-cost models and Chromebooks. Their configurations are insufficient for a gamer, but suitable for the common tasks of the majority of students. With these PCs, the user will be able to follow courses, create PowerPoint slideshows, do internet research and write dissertations or other work. It will also have the possibility of streaming with a suitable resolution, even in full HD.
Beyond 500 euros, Huawei MateBooks are among the best computers for students. Prices can sometimes exceed 1,000 euros depending on the PC. That said, the 15-inch version of the MateBook D16 is, for example, accessible for under 600 euros. The 14-inch variant is, however, not recommended to avoid wasting time searching for a product that is often out of stock. Moreover, this advice applies to any model not equipped by default with a 14-inch screen.
Purchasing advice and budget for a laptop PC dedicated to studies
Today, the laptop computer is certainly among the things to bring to student residence. It must therefore be efficient, practical and versatile. The laptop is actually supposed to cover the user’s daily needs, apart from studies. Therefore, it is also important to anticipate the recreational uses of the PC before investing in a specific model. However, the criteria linked to the sector remain priority when purchasing the device (power, screen size, resolution, etc.).
In general, entry-level configurations are suitable for studies requiring mainly word processing and PowerPoint presentations. In this case, it will be necessary to pay attention to connectivity and compatible peripherals for use outside of studies. Concretely, the verification must include, among other things, the number and types of ports available (USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, VGA, etc.). This category is nevertheless accessible under 600 euros for the 14 or 15 inch models.
For studies in computer science, engineering, design or marketing, it is necessary to favor the higher ranges. The student will then need to turn to series like HP Elite, Asus ZenBook, Apple MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro, Lenovo Ideapad… In addition, the computers must have at least an i7 processor, 8 GB of RAM, storage 500 GB SSD and a 1 GB graphics card. However, you will need to budget between 1,000 to 2,000 euros for the purchase of these PCs.
