So what are the ingredients for a great student laptop? I spoke to Charles Griffiths, Head of Innovation and Technology at IT services provider AAG, who has long experience sourcing technology for the education sector, about the best student laptop deals.
Charles says, “You don’t need the most expensive student laptop on the market, but you also don’t want the cheapest one either. Find something that’s in the middle. Mid-range laptops tend to be more durable than the cheapest options, so it’s best to choose something that will last the length of your course to find a good laptop for students .”
When picking the best laptop for university students, think closely about what you actually need, Griffiths advises.
RAM
Both RAM and storage are measured in gigabytes, or GB. More gigabytes of storage means you’ve got more room for files and applications. RAM, meanwhile, is your computer’s working memory. A higher RAM will mean a faster, more capable machine.
Four gigabytes of RAM should be fine for a general purpose student laptop, Griffiths says, handling basic tasks such as email, web browsing and word processing.
“If you’re looking for a gaming laptop, or one that can handle demanding tasks like video editing, I would suggest one with 8GB or 16GB RAM. If your studies require the use of demanding software, for example; engineering, video editing and music production will require a more powerful processor. Intel’s Core i7 and Apple’s M1 and M2 chip processors are a popular choice that allow you to create, edit and share 4K content smoothly.”
Storage
When choosing storage, 256GB will offer ample room, says Griffiths. But if you use cloud storage and external hard drives, it’s possible to get away with an 128GB solid state drive (SSD), which will usually lower the price considerably.
Touchscreens
Many of the top-rated laptops for students come in the form of a tablet or convertible, offering creative students a way to write or draw on screens, and a good ‘half-way house’ between tablets and laptops – but Griffiths warns on hidden costs with such machines.
He says, “It’s worth noting that additional elements of a tablet such as pens and detachable keyboards can add up to be quite costly and sometimes cost more than a decent laptop. For students whose courses are heavily essay based or require the use of complex software, a good student laptop is probably more suitable and a safer bet.”
Griffiths says that if he was shopping for student laptops himself, he would probably opt for a MacBook Air, due to how light and portable it is. He also praises Microsoft’s Surface machines and Dell laptops. “The new Macbook Air is ultraportable, fast, super quiet and still reasonably priced,” he says.