You are a student and you often need to use the computer on the go, for various needs. For this reason, you have thought about buying a notebook, but you don’t know where to turn your gaze, how much to spend and which brand to target. In short, you need advice on this and you have well thought of doing an online search to dispel your doubts. Did I guess? Well, then I’d say you’ve come to the right place at the right time!
In today’s guide, in fact, I will explain in detail which are the best notebooks for students. In particular, I will carry out an examination of all the main components that are found in a laptop (another term by which notebooks are defined, that is laptops), providing you with all the information you need to make your purchase wisely. In addition, there will be space for my advice on the models to buy, that is, the ones that I think are most valid for a student. On the other hand, I’ve been there too and I know how difficult the choice can be, given the number of models on the market.
What do you say? Are you ready to step into the world of the best student-friendly laptops? In my opinion, yes, since you’ve made it this far and you seem particularly motivated to make your choice. Come on then, all you have to do is take some time for yourself, get comfortable and follow the directions below, which will lead you directly to your goal. That said, there is nothing left for me to do but wish you good reading and good luck with your school career!
Best laptops for students: a guide to choosing
Before pointing out which, in my opinion, are the best notebooks for students, I think it might interest you to learn more about what are the main aspects to consider when buying the best laptop. Below you will find all the relevant information.
Format
Even before the technical characteristics, it is worth taking a look at the format of the laptop you want to buy. Contrary to what one might think, this aspect is very important and can particularly affect the convenience offered by the laptop. It is not just a matter of size and weight, but also of the experience of use. A traditional notebook can be powerful, but it may not offer the same convenience as a 2-in-1, which also allows it to be used as a tablet. It is therefore good to pay attention to this aspect: below you will find all the details on the main formats of laptops available on the market.
- Notebook or laptop: the classic laptops, those with clamshell closure considered the standard by many people. There are myriads of very different models and the market offers solutions for all budgets. In the past, the difference between notebooks and laptops was linked to size, since the former used to be indicated in this way because of their excellent portability, while the latter was called so as they are larger models. To date, no distinction is made between notebooks and laptops, as these terms are used almost interchangeably.
- Ultrabook: their peculiar feature lies in the very small size. The body, however, has a form factor similar to that of traditional laptops, since there is a clamshell closure. The case clearly fails to contain the same components as a larger notebook. In some cases, low voltage processors are implemented to reduce power consumption and heat loss. Typically, these laptops use sophisticated materials, from aluminum alloys to magnesium. Generally speaking, the price to take home an ultrabook is higher than that of a traditional laptop.
- Detachable (2-in-1): they are called in this way because they are a sort of middle ground between the world of notebooks and of tablets. They are in fact composed of two parts, of the screen usually has all the components necessary for the operation of the computer, while the keyboard integrates all the USB ports for storage expansion and connection of external devices. The two parts can be combined and used like a traditional laptop, but the screen can be detached and used as if it were a tablet, thanks to the touch-screen display.
- Convertibles (2-in-1s): laptops known for their flexibility. The screen can in fact rotate 360 degrees and is touch-screen. This means that you can store the keyboard in the back of the notebook and use the notebook as if it were a tablet. Obviously, this solution also guarantees the user other possibilities, such as the curtain mode used mainly for the reproduction of multimedia content.
- MacBook: If you hear this term, it does not mean that you are talking about a notebook that is technically different from the others. We are simply talking about Apple’s laptops, which have the proprietary macOS operating system and not the classic Windows. The rest, however, have particular characteristics, neither for functionality nor for the form factor, compared to notebooks of other brands. The asking price to take these products home is high, but these are laptops designed down to the smallest detail and built with quality materials. The brand, now known all over the world, should not be underestimated.
- Chromebook: this term refers to laptops that use the Chrome OS operating system. The latter is in some ways closer to the world of mobile devices than to that PCs since it is mainly based on the range of services offered by Google and Android applications. Usually, Chromebooks are cheap and are aimed at those who have no special needs and maybe just browse the web and manage documents.