What to Look for When Buying a Computer for College

In this article, I will share with you a few tips on what to look out for when buying a laptop for college. I will show you how to select a durable laptop for college and what to look for when buying a laptop, especially for college.

There are a lot of laptop brands and models available in the market today and if you do not know the specifics, you might just end up with a duplicate.

Nevertheless, it is not an easy task to choose a laptop for school. However, with the proper knowledge, you can purchase a laptop for college that will give you a good value for your money.

What to Look for When Buying a Computer for College

1. The Laptop Operating System

When buying a laptop for college, it is important that you figure out the correct operating system (OS) that works best for you. If you are a Windows user, you should buy a laptop installed with the latest Windows OS. If you use Linux, your choice of laptops would be limited but make sure that you buy a laptop that has Linux pre-installed on it.

It is also important to consider how you will use the laptop in your studies. If you need to have access to a lot of software, it would be better to buy a Windows laptop. Likewise, if you use primarily free software, then you will have limited options.

2. CPU and RAM

When buying a laptop for college, check that the processor is up to date and has enough power for your daily usage. It is best to look for a laptop with at least 4GB RAM and 500 GB hard drive space. The more resources the laptop has, the faster it will perform tasks.

You must get to know the different processor names such as core i3, i5, and i7. These names can help you identify and understand the different processor powers as regards laptops. You should always compare these numbers with other laptops available to ensure that you get a great deal.

3. Laptop Size

Another important factor when buying a laptop for college is the screen size. Before buying a laptop, ensure that you figure out the size of your laptop screen. There are three standard sizes; 13’’, 14’’ and 15’’.

You also have to think about where you will be using your laptop. If you are always on the go, then it is best to look for a laptop with a smaller screen that is easy to carry around. However, if you are at home or the library most of the time, you can buy a laptop with any screen size available.

4. Laptop Accessories

When purchasing a laptop, you must buy one with all the necessary accessories. Accessories include the charger, battery, AC adapter, and laptop sleeve/carry bag and must be included in the purchase price.

You also have to consider how long it takes your laptop to open files on its hard drive. The time it takes for your computer to open files may not seem too important, but it can be very frustrating if the computer takes a long time to start up.  You can determine this by considering how much RAM and CPU power your laptop has because it can affect how fast you complete your tasks.

5. Laptop Price Range

It would be worth the value of your money if you consider buying a laptop that falls within the price range of $500-$900. It is possible to get a laptop below or above this price range but it is advisable to stick to the average price for laptops.  If you decide to go beyond or below this price range, you risk buying an unreliable model.

It is also essential to consider your budget when looking for a laptop. If your budget is too small, finding a laptop with all the features you will need can be very hard unless you go for a second hand and if your budget is too high, it will not make a difference since most of the laptops almost have the same functionality.

6. Storage Space

Many students do not consider the storage space of their computer, but it is essential to buy a laptop with at least 500GB of storage space. A large hard drive gives you more capacity for downloads and storage.

Since most people use laptops for school and work nowadays, it would be wise to have enough storage space on your laptop to support that kind of work. Having more storage space means saving all your files on your computer and accessing them quickly when needed.

7. Laptop Brands

When searching for a laptop, it is best to stick with the most reliable laptop brands today, such as Acer, HP, Apple, Dell, Toshiba, and Lenovo. These companies have been in business for many years and have built brand loyalty and an excellent reputation.

It is also best to avoid less popular brands because they may not provide you with all the necessary accessories you need when purchasing a laptop. You must buy a laptop that has everything included in the purchase price.

It is also recommended to buy a laptop that has a warranty so that you get your money back in case anything goes wrong. If the warranty runs out, it would be wise to have an extended warranty because it may cost less than buying a new laptop.

8. Graphics Cards

If you study graphics designing, photography, digital art or anything else artistic, finding a laptop with an above-average graphics card would be wise.

Whether you need the best graphics card on the market or not will depend on how much computer-based art you will do and whether or not your school requires you to run specific software.  

Some Colleges may require students to run Autodesk AutoCAD or Adobe Creative Suite, which both require a high-performance graphics card to work well. Battery Life

When looking for the right laptop, it is important to consider how long the battery life lasts. Laptops with a battery life of at least 5 hours or more can serve you well. A good laptop battery allows you to work away from a power source without having to worry about your laptop dying when you need it

It would also help if you also considered using an extended battery for added time away from power outlets. These batteries often extend your laptop time by 3-5 hours of battery life making them worth the purchase.

Rest assured that if you purchase a laptop with at least 5 hours of battery life, you will be able to complete all your schoolwork away from home without worrying about your computer battery.

Conclusion

You should know exactly what you are looking for in a laptop before starting your shopping spree. Having specific features in mind will ease the search and lower your chances of buying the wrong laptop by mistake.

Although choosing the right laptop may take time, depending on how meticulous you are about specific features, taking your time to make the right decision will surely benefit you in the end.

Share with us in the comments what features you look for before buying a laptop.