Features to Look for in a Student Laptop

We hate to admit it ourselves, but the start of school is just around the corner. While you may not be ready to start shopping, you’re better off getting it done and out of the way. You beat the shopping rush, get first pick on school supplies and can even score some great deals, particularly on the more expensive items like laptops.

 

Late-summer is one of the best times to shop for student laptops. Manufacturers know that students are in need of new computers, so they discount their prices to make them more attractive and affordable. Many will also bundle different items together so that you get more bang for your buck.

 

Let’s go over some of the most important features you should be looking for in your student laptop.

 

Portability

The whole point of having a laptop is so that you can take it with you to class. It’s definitely worthwhile to pay a little more to have a smaller, lighter computer. We recommend sticking to a 14-inch laptop, such as the Vector 14 Laptop from Velocity Micro. It weighs less than 4 pounds and has an ultra slim design. At the same time, it offers enough screen size to comfortably write papers or have multiple tabs up.

 

Durability

Having your laptop at school means that it’s going to need durability. Shop for laptops that are made from materials like aluminum, magnesium alloy or carbon fiber. Also check to see what durability claims the manufacturer has made, if any. Speaking of manufacturers, it’s best to stick with those you know. Velocity Micro, for instance, builds each system by hand for optimal airflow, thermal and acoustical properties.

 

Specifications

While your laptop may not get you through all 4 years of college, you do hope that it stays with you for a few years. And it will, providing that you take care of it and are mindful of the specifications it has.

 

Resolution

Most budget laptops have low resolution displays and older hardware that may make it difficult to write papers or do research. Look for a 1080p resolution (unless you’re a photo or video student, then you’ll need a higher resolution). Don’t worry about touchscreens, either. While convenient, they consume a lot of power and aren’t necessary.

 

CPU

Get an Intel Core i5 or i7, and make sure the processor has a 6000 in it (i.e., Core i5-6200U). This means that you’ll have the 6th Gen chip. The Raptor MX40 Laptop from Velocity Micro has a 6th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and is powerful enough for school, gaming and media consumption.

 

RAM

4GB is the absolute minimum amount of RAM to accept. 8GB is ideal, and 6GB can be OK too. Since you will be doing a lot of research on your computer and having a lot of tabs open at once, you’re going to need a good amount of RAM.

 

Storage Drive/Hard Drive

Solid state drives (SSDs) are ideal because they have no moving parts and run 3-4 times faster than typical hard drives. This means faster running apps, faster start times, faster task switching and more. SSDs do typically cost more and offer less storage, so if you have a lot of photos or videos on your computer, you’ll need to store them on an external hard drive.

 

Shop with Velocity Micro for your next laptop! We have fully customizable laptops that are perfect for students!