Best Laptop for Students: 2024 Edition

Summary

This video guide helps students and parents choose the perfect laptop for school, offering tips on portability, screen size, and resolution. It reviews various laptops, including MacBooks for their build quality and battery life, Windows laptops for software compatibility, and new Snapdragon processors for a balance of performance and efficiency. The video also covers gaming laptops and Chromebooks, advising on the right configuration for longevity and recommending specific models for different student needs, from basic computing to intensive graphical tasks.

Takeaways

• 💻 The video aims to help students and parents find the perfect laptop for school, providing quick tips and recommendations.
• 🔍 A new laptop buying guide for students has been launched on the website to assist in narrowing down choices and is kept up to date.
• 🎒 For school use, laptops should be portable yet have a sufficiently large screen, ideally weighing less than 3 lbs and with at least a 14-inch display.
• 🖥 High-resolution and bright displays are recommended for better clarity and visibility in various lighting conditions.
• 🍎 MacBooks are praised for their build quality, battery life, and performance, but they can be expensive and have limited software compatibility.
• 💡 Windows laptops with Intel or AMD processors offer broader software support but may have issues with battery life, fan noise, and heat.
• 🌐 New laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors balance performance and efficiency but may have software compatibility issues.
• 🎮 Chromebooks and tablets are not recommended for their limited software compatibility and are the most restrictive devices.
• 💼 It's important to consider the specific computing needs of the student's field of study and to consult with academic advisors or current students.
• 💰 Students should take advantage of available discounts and consider extended warranties for their laptops.

Q & A

What are the key factors to consider when choosing a laptop for school?

Key factors include portability, screen size and resolution, battery life, performance, and software compatibility.

Why is a laptop's weight important for students?

A lightweight laptop is important for students because they often move around and carrying a heavy laptop can be inconvenient.

What is the recommended minimum screen size and resolution for a student laptop?

The recommended minimum screen size is 14 inches, and the resolution should be greater than 1920 x 1200 pixels for better clarity and visibility.

What are the advantages of MacBooks for students?

MacBooks offer excellent build quality, best-in-class battery life, quiet operation, and powerful performance with Apple's M-series processors.

What are the downsides of MacBooks mentioned in the script?

The downsides of MacBooks are their high cost, especially with upgrades, and potential software compatibility issues for certain disciplines.

Why might an Intel or AMD processor laptop be a better choice for some students?

Intel or AMD laptops offer broader application support, a wide variety of software, and can be more budget-friendly compared to MacBooks.

What are the potential issues with Intel and AMD laptops compared to MacBooks?

Intel and AMD laptops may have poorer battery life, more fan noise, and generate more heat due to less power-efficient processors.

What is special about laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors?

Laptops with Snapdragon processors offer better battery life, less heat, and fan noise compared to most Intel and AMD laptops, but their software compatibility is not as extensive.

Why are Chromebooks and tablets not recommended for all students?

Chromebooks and tablets have the most restrictive software compatibility, which may not support all the software needed for various academic disciplines.

What is the recommended minimum RAM and storage for a student's laptop?

A minimum of 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage is recommended to ensure the laptop can handle schoolwork for four years and adapt to changing needs.

Why is it important to check for an extended warranty when buying a student laptop?

An extended warranty is important because it provides additional coverage in case the laptop encounters issues, which can be common with some models.