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Being a student means taking important decisions like choosing the courses to take and earning money to cover tuition fees. Buying a computer is also on the list of students’ considerations. And here come the challenges associated with making a right choice. Should I buy a laptop, a tablet or a device that incorporates both of them? Or is it better to set my choice on a conventional desktop to be used in the dormitory? What about the brand and the operating system? Your head will surely go spinning while you are trying to answer all these questions. 

Tips to Choose the Best Laptops for Students Proceeding from Your Needs and Budget 

Step 1: Make the Assessment of Your Needs

The kind of a computer you intend to buy is dictated by the purpose of its use. If you are going to just surf the net, check the email or follow social media sites, a modest specification will suit you right just as its modest price. A computer with i5 or Intel Core will be sufficient. But if you are planning to use your computer for playing games, video editing or virtual reality, you will need a more powerful device with more RAM, a faster processor and better graphics such as Intel Core i7 of the eighth generation, 16 GB or 32 GB of RAM or NVIDIA graphics.

When it comes to storing data, the majority of modern laptops have a SSD instead of a HDD. Thus, modern laptops are much thinner and lighter. Besides, they work faster and are less energy consuming. What is more, since SSDs have no moving pieces, they are less likely to be damaged. As for a brand, it is a good idea to follow the advice of your family members or friends or to set your choice on the brand you know. 

Step 2: Consider Choosing a Proper Operating System

When you are buying a computer, you need to choose an operating system. There are three of them available:  Windows, Mac and Chromebook. While choosing an OS, rely on your preferences and bear in mind that all of them have their own advantages. 

Windows 10 is the most popular choice nowadays offered by the majority of modern computer brands since it is characterized by versatility, easiness in use and compatibility with software and hardware of any OS. With Windows 10 you have a range of options to interface with your content. You can use a keyboard or a mouse; you can work with the touch of fingers or use a stylus pen. All the above options make Windows 10 a good choice concerning best laptops for high school students. 

Apple’s Mac family is not as affordable as the previous option but it also enjoys a great popularity. Being manufactured solely by Apple, Macs are made of high quality materials and undergo a strict quality control which makes them a decent choice when it comes to choosing best laptops for college students. Besides, Macs last quite a long time. For some users Macs are easier in use if compared with other OS, however, it all depends on personal preferences. Macs are not touchscreen, so if you are into touchscreen, you’d better purchase an iPad tablet. What makes Apple Macs a great choice is the availability of free apps which are either bundled or can be downloaded for free.

Chromebooks, powered by Google’s Chrome operating system, are not as costly as the previous two options; however, there are some which start from $999 (for instance Google’s own Pixelbook). Chromebooks are usually come bundled with popular Google apps, such as Google maps or Gmail. The specifications of the majority of Chromebooks are quite modest, which is, however, easily compensated by the fact that most Google applications are cloud-based. Starting from $ 199, Chrome operating system is fast and secure, which is not a bad option when it comes to best laptops for college students.   

Step 3: Choose the Form You Prefer

Modern laptops are light and thin, thus you will not have any difficulties carrying them around. There are a lot of “2-in-1s” Windows-based laptops meaning they can be easily transformed from a tablet into a laptop and vice versa. There are two types of 2-in-1s: “convertibles” and “detachables”. The former can be converted from a laptop into tablet by simply bending back the screen while in case of the latter the screen can be completely detached meaning your keyboard is left on the desk and you carry a tablet. 

When it comes to choosing the best computer for younger kids, a conventional desktop computer might be the best option. Being put in some open area of the house, it allows parents to watch their kids go online. Desktop computers are less expensive than laptops and are less prone to damage as they are not portable. Young users may find a keyboard and a mouse easier to use if compared with a laptop keyboard. The majority of modern desktops are “all-in-ones” and can be placed anywhere in the house. They are often bundled with a touchscreen, wireless mouse and keyboard. 

However, an all-in-one is not a good option for a gamer as it is not easily updated. In this case go for a tower setup. All in all, buying the best student laptop 2018 (or any other year) requires taking a number of important steps concerning the needs, specifications and budget.