A big part of making it at school is making the grade; and a big part of making the grade means being able to answer questions thrown by the professor before or after a lecture and by producing well-written term papers. There a lot of things that you can accomplish with the help of internet research. It can get you prepared for the next topic so you won't look down guilty whenever the professor asks a question, and you can also get your hands full of information that would make your term paper look like it's done by a pro. That is why you are going to need a student laptop.
You see, your good old desktop PC might be doing a terrific job. However, come presentation time, getting into snags regarding file compatibility and the likes is the last thing that you need. You also need to be able to look up information quick, wherever you are. Who knows when genius may strike and an idea is born? Using regular laptop buying guide is good, but looking at specific student laptop features is critical to get the right model. Having a student laptop would also help you verify truths faster, keep your school work organized and have an easier time of getting through all the work involved in school.
Basic Student Laptop Specs
- Size - Keep it as portable as possible without sacrificing features.
- Durability – Students and business people will constantly be toting the laptop around, so go for metal over plastic.
- Simplicity – No unnecessary programs or other RAM and CPU consuming stuff.
- CPU – Fast processor to handle multitasking.
- Hard Drive – Bigger means more storage space for file and programs, at least 80GB or larger is best for both students and business.
- RAM – At least 2GB to handle all types of tasks and run various programs at once
- Long battery life – For business trips and mobile working, it’s crucial that the laptop last for the longest time possible without the need for recharge or plug.
- Connectivity – Lots of ports, WI-FI and Bluetooth are essential. Also, a USB port that doubles as an eSATA port for storage expansions is great to have, and even ones that can charge an external peripheral while the laptop is shut down. Also, DisplayPort and HDMI are better equipped to stream high-quality videos and audio for Powerpoint and other presentations.
A Closer Look at Student Laptop Features
1. RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM determines the speed at which your laptop can perform. You see, every time you get an application running, it draws on system resource. The more applications you open, the slower your laptop's performance may tend to get. Around 1MB of RAM is enough. That much would let you open as much word docs and internet browser tabs you want. However, you need to know that with a 1MB RAM, you might not be able to play the games that the other college kids are talking about (which can work to your advantage).
2. Processor Speed
This is actually the most important thing you should look at. It is the core of every computer system. Around 2 GHz is enough power. It would let you keep on working at an acceptable pace, and stay a multi-tasker.
3. Operating System
A common practice is for a laptop to be sold with an operating system already installed. If there is a particular platform that you feel comfortable, go for it. If you are a Computer Science student, it's an altogether different story. You might need a laptop that would be compatible with Linux and Windows.
4. Hard Drive Capacity
When it comes to the storage capacity of a student laptop, the more is always the better. If you can afford one in the 160GB range, go for it. That way, you can store a year's worth of notes and compositions, and throw in a couple of songs and movies, with no worries.
5. Size and Weight
Weight is almost always directly proportional to size – that applies even to a laptop. The reason why this is important is that as student laptop has be portable. Now, tablet PCs are portable but let's face it, the performance may not be as good as a laptop. You need to perform well in school, and you need a laptop that can perform just as well. The 13-inch ones are alright. The sleeker, thinner models are lighter of course, but they can be pricier. CNET says that portability is the number one requirement for student laptops.
Lastly, one aspect that isn't a technical factor at all, but is equally important is the price. Students get laptops mostly out of need, anyway and not because they have money to burn. The good news is that you can get a student laptop for a low price. Just make sure not to be tempted by anything you don't really need, like a big-shot graphics card, an insane amount of RAM or an ultra high-performance processor.
