The important thing to remember is that there is no one right choice here. The best laptop for college life depends on what you’ll be doing there. An English major with a long reading list and lots of papers to write might be better off with an iPad and a nice accessory keyboard. A Computer Science major who needs to compile software and run Linux will need a laptop to tinker with. That said, here are some basic criteria to remember about a laptop:
Processor
- Windows: When buying a Windows machine, your main processor choices are Intel and AMD, with Qualcomm being an option for Copilot+ PCs. Each has their pros and cons. For a more in-depth guide to the differences, check out our complete guide to buying a laptop.
- About Chromebooks: These browser-based machines use six different processors you’ve probably never heard of. There’s a reason for that: they’re slow. When buying a Chromebook, we recommend getting a Chromebook Plus machine, a new standard created by Google to ensure a certain level of performance and sophistication in Chromebooks.
- MacOS: Apple has been making its own processors for several years now, such as the M3 chip found in the MacBook Air shown above. More powerful models, such as the MacBook Pro, come with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. Our MacBook buying guide can help.
Ram
Regardless of which OS you choose, the minimum amount of RAM you need for your laptop is 8 GB. This is enough memory to keep your computer snappy under load, and it will keep your machine running smoothly over its lifespan. If you have the budget, opt for 16 GB, especially if you plan on editing photos and videos as part of your coursework.
screen
Screens come in a wide variety, but don’t settle for anything less than 1080p resolution. For a 13-inch laptop, 1080p is plenty sharp. If you have a larger laptop, a 2.5K or 4K screen will improve your viewing experience. If you also play games, get one with a high refresh rate. 120Hz or 144Hz should be plenty satisfying.
Weight and battery
Remember, you will be carrying this laptop around with you. It may be dragged on your back for 8+ hours. A pound may not seem like much, but after a long day of walking, you will notice the difference between a 3 pound laptop and a 4 pound laptop. Trust me. Also, it’s a good idea to choose a nice bag to carry your computer in.
Similarly, battery life is crucial if you’re likely to be away from a wall outlet for extended periods of time. Whatever you end up buying, make sure it lasts at least 8 hours of real-world usage, including browsing the web, editing documents, composing emails, and writing notes. Still, you might want to consider a portable battery charger.
1 Comment
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.