6 Best Laptops for First-Time College Students

By Madison White on July 18, 2017

So you’re about to start college. You’ve chosen the perfect class schedule, the most stylish backpack, and the comfiest duvet, but do you have the right tech?

When it comes to starting college, sometimes picking the right laptop can be as difficult of a choice as picking the right college — well, maybe not, but you get the point. Especially if you aren’t totally tech savvy, walking into the nearest computer store may be confusing and overwhelming.

You want a laptop that will suit all your needs and hopefully make it through the next four years of college, but where do you start? Here are six laptops perfect for first-time college students.

isorepublic.com

1. Lenovo Flex 4

I’ll admit it, I’m partial to the Lenovo flexible laptops because it’s the one I’ve had throughout my three years of college thus far. In these three years, I have had no issues with my laptop; plus, it doubles as a tablet and has an awesome touch screen. The only downside (for some people) is the size. They can be pretty small, but I love it because then I’m not breaking my back carrying them around all day on campus. Overall, a great quality laptop for any new student.

2. Apple MacBook

If you just can’t make yourself like Microsoft products, the MacBook is probably the way to go. Some MacBooks come rather light, like the MacBook Air, but they can also cost a pretty penny. They’ll probably last you throughout college, but be prepared to spend a lot at first. MacBooks are said to be great for design students, but really they would work for any type of student looking for something reliable and stylish.

3. Microsoft Surface Pro

Microsoft Surface Pros are sort of like the flexible Lenovo I talked about earlier, except just a little bit fancier. They’re smaller, lighter, and on some of them, you can take the screen off completely and just use it as a tablet. Plus, you can draw on their touchscreens. That’s right. Draw. This is the laptop to choose for any incoming art or architecture students.

4. ASUS Chromebook

The ASUS Chromebook seems to be a well-rounded laptop. Just a heads up, if you’re an avid beverage drinker, but can get a little clumsy at times, this may be the right laptop for you. This laptop advertises itself as water resistant. Of course, this doesn’t mean waterproof so don’t go dumping a whole can of soda on it. But, if you’re worried about ruining an expensive laptop with just one wrong move, you’ll have to worry just a little less with an ASUS Chromebook.

5. Acer Aspire R 15

The Acer Aspire can get a little bit heavy and might not be the best to lug around campus if you’re doing lots of walking. If you don’t mind the extra weight, it looks like the Acer Aspire is one of the top performers in every computer category. In fact, the extra bulk may make the laptop even more durable if you happen to bump it around a little bit. It’s likely that this laptop would last you all four years.

6. Acer Chromebook

If you’re looking for something with the sleekness of a MacBook without the Apple interface, look no further than the Acer Chromebook. It has a beautifully chic design that isn’t going to cost you nearly as much as a new MacBook might. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest options on this list!

I hope this list has helped you narrow down what you’re looking for in the perfect college laptop. Remember, there are many other choices beyond these, and your best fit may not be on this list. Make sure that you’ve thought about what you foresee being your biggest needs throughout college.

List in hand, visit your local tech store and ask for some help. If you’d rather not, there are many, many articles online detailing the pros and cons of every laptop out there. After a little bit of research and maybe a little bit of help, you’re sure to find the right fit for you.

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