By Jon Bannister

Whether your child is in high-school or college, these days some sort of computer is needed. Laptops are generally your best choice as it offers portability so your child can bring it with him to class to take notes, complete homework at a coffee shop, and be on the go with his/her school work. We based our choices on the following criteria:

1. Size of the laptop/How portable it is
2. Brand of the laptop
3. Quality of the company for each laptop
4. Specs of the laptop
5. A fast processor
6. Good amount of RAM
7. Connectivity (USB ports, audio in’s, HDMI, etc)
8. Price to performance ratio

Below we review laptops in every price range with different specs. This will greatly help in your quest to find the right laptop for school for you or your child. For a more in depth buying guide on what you should look for in a laptop for a student, scroll to the bottom of the page.

Student Laptop Buying Guide

Buying a laptop for yourself as a student, or for your child, shouldn’t be an overwhelming decision. They’re only really a few key things you need to make sure the laptop will have – and the other half of the decision is simply based off price range and looks. It’s an easy decision just follow our guide!

CPU (Central Processing Unit) Type
The CPU is the brain of your computer – therefore it’s a very valuable part. You want quality and speed. Look no further then the Intel i series of processors. These include the: i3, i5, and i7. With the i3 and i5 being more common in laptops. The i3 is more entry level, and the i5 is a perfect mid range. Go with any of these, and you can’t go wrong. The most basic would be the i3 for school tasks, but if you want a bit more power go with an i5 or even i7 if possible.

RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory and essentially allows you to multi-task on your computer without it slowing down. The more ram the better. In laptops the most common amount of RAM is 4GB – though some go up to 6GB and 8GB. For general school tasks, 4GB is plenty. If your student is a graphic designer or will be utilizing software for video editing etc, go with 6GB of RAM.

Hard-Drive Space/Speed
Obviously the more space the hard drive has, the more files you can store. It’s common to see Hard Drives as big as 1TB in laptops these days, though most are a little less. 500GB would be plenty for most people – though if you want to hold a bunch of movies/songs/etc then go with 750GB or even 1TB. Also make sure the hard drive you look at has a fast write speed – 5200RPM is decent, but 7200RPM is ideal. This allows you to transfer files faster and other drive related tasks with speed.

Battery Life/Screen Size
Keep in mind to note how long the laptop will last on a full battery charge. You would be surprised to learn that some laptops can only run for less than 2 hours before running out of juice. Go for a laptop that will last 3 or more hours on a full battery charge, in-case you will be away from an outlet. Also note the screen-size. Most laptops are between 11″ and 14″, though it’s common to now find laptops with screens up to 17″.

Graphics
Most laptops come with integrated graphics – which will let you do basic games (nothing fancy) – though if you want to play more advanced games look into a laptop with a graphics card. It’s not very common in laptops for a laptop to have a dedicated graphics card, but some do. If you aren’t playing games, don’t even worry. Integrated graphics are fine.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

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By Jon Bannister

Lenovo has broken into the laptop business and now they are trying to put a twist on the standard formula. The IdeaPad Yoga 13 is excellent proof of their efforts. This. The Yoga 13 might not look like much, but there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. With an 3rd Generation Intel Core i5-3337U processor, 4GB DDR3L memory, 128GB SSD – and HD Graphics 4000, you will have more than enough for basic word processing, excel, online homework, games, and medium design work. Windows 8 is preloaded and takes full advantage of the touchscreen interface. This is a convertible ultrabook, that means the screen can fold around to make it a tablet. It’s a very cool feature and has a lot of potential to be very handy in all sorts of situations. It has 2 USB ports and weighs in at 3.3 pounds with a 13.3″ screen (1600×900 resolution). The battery life is another more than impressive spec at over 8 hours. This is an ultimate portable machinethat is perfect for everyday and school use. The price is a bit high at $900, but with all of these features that comes out to be a great value.

Prices

By Jon Bannister

ASUS is known for quality computer hardware, now they are becoming more and more know for their laptops. The X550CA is a commendable addition to the saturated market of student laptops out there. This one features a Core i5 3337U 2.7GHz processor, 8 GB SO-DIMM, and a 750GB 5400RPM hard drive. All of these work with the 15.6″ 720p resolution screen preloaded with Windows 8. The graphics are integrated on this laptopp with Intel’s GMA HD. That’s not as good as dedicated, but Intel has come a very long way with this kind of thing. We were impressed with the performance. Light to intermediate design work and gaming aren’t going to be a problem with this computer. So if you have an art student this will be a great computer for them! Not to mention it’s small form factor to really make this one perfect for a day of class. We love this laptop!

Prices

By Jon Bannister

Chromebook laptops have been coming out for a while now and they only get better as time goes on. Samsung has put together an amazing deal with this one. For just over $200 you get an 11.6 inch screen enabled with wifi and the slick Chrome operating system. We believe it could make a great portable candidate for a student who needs a basic machine for internet research and word processing. That is the key. This isn’t for heavy computing or design work, it’s an on-the-go machine. This one runs on an Exynos 5000 Series 1.7 GHz processor with integrated graphics, has 2GB DDR3 SDRAM, and a 16GB Solid State Hard Drive. The boot time is less than 10 seconds and give you more than 6.5 hours of battery life. All your apps and data are stored on the cloud so this allows you to ALWAYS have your documents. Google grants purchasers of this laptop 100 gigs of Google Drive storage free for two years. Not a bad deal and plenty of space for documents and emails. The whole package weighs only 2.4 pounds and is super slim. This laptop runs ChromeOS (not Windows) so it is definitely new to everyone. Don’t expect a full PC experience on this, those looking for a traditional laptop with Windows do not apply here! This is a very good inexpensive alternative with some neat new technology that will make all the other students say “what is that!”

Prices

So should a tablet replace your laptop? Or should it simply server as a supplement to your laptop? Or is it just not needed period? Lets take a look at the benefits of both and draw a conclusion.

Tablets

Tablets are very portable, more portable then most laptops, which is what is some of the largest appeal to some people. Watch movies in bed, on a plane, in the car, on the bus. Read the news, play games, you name it, all from your hand. It’s like a big smart-phone, which actually, IS what it is.

For this ultra portability you sacrifice many things, but this is where some will be able to look past a tablets flaws. The direct control of the mouse is not here, no physical keyboard (unless you use a wireless addon), and as you can imagine its a more watered down experience. But thats not to say its not possible to substitute a tablet for a laptop.

Tons of new apps are released every day that bridge the gap between laptop and tablet, making it possibly to have both fun on a tablet, and be extremely productive. Thus eliminating the need of having to carry your laptop around with you to school or the coffee shop.

Laptops

Laptops are well…laptops. We know the power they posses, and the bulk most of them have. It’s not like it’s super heavy and we hate having to use every last muscle to carry them around – but it’s just annoying to have to lug around a big computer bag and keep track of cords/wires.

Or maybe you just want to do a quick run to the coffee shop and sit down for a bit. Who wants to lug a big bag, bringing a tablet is perfect for this occasion.

I can’t kill down the fact that having a full computer experience at this point in time definitely is more productive hands down – but tablets are catching up in their ability to act as a sole source of productivity and fun.

Which works for you?

Again, at the end of the day it’s up to you.

I find my table to be a nice supplement to my laptop and desktop. I can send documents to my tablet, and print them over wifi from my tablet later, eliminating the need to bring my laptop with me. Or I can bring it to the coffee shop on a sunday morning and have a coffee while I browse the news on my tablet. Most recently I have even been streaming content from my Desktop TO my tablet, which is pretty neat.

For ultimate fun – a tablet is the best choice.

For productivity and those who would want it for work – think of a tablet as a supplement that can’t just yet replace a laptop. But it’s a very good supplement that will make your life easier.

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By Jon Bannister

This is the DLBP-114 – the brother of the DLBP-1116 which we also reviewed and enjoyed a lot. A great bag for people who want a more “college” student look – but with a touch of professional. Great for smaller laptops we can’t really complain. See our review of the DLBP-1116 for more information and base your choice on the size of your laptop.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices

By Jon Bannister

Another bag geared towards Mac owners with the 17” Macbook Pro – but this will work just fine with another brand of laptop around the same size. A super sleek looking bag great for college students who want to go around in style with a blue on black look. The compression straps make for a tight fit with a full or light load, on-top of comfy straps that are adjustable. This bag feels more durable then it does “padded” – it’s a great material just lacks on padding.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices

By Jon Bannister

Case Logic has a wide variety of products and this is another great one. It resembles a more traditional student type backpack instead of the professional look – though you can pull it off as professional. It comes in a few colors – holds up to 16” laptop – is very light-weight at 1.5lbs and has adjustable straps for a great fit. It’s a simple – student looking laptop back that is cheap and durable – a great buy for a student on a budget.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices

By Jon Bannister

The CaseLogic RBP-117 is geared more towards Apple users – with spots for a 17.3” Macbook Pro and iPad – but also can hold a normal laptop or tablet (it doesn’t have to be a Mac obviously) – This bag features neat compression straps which allow you to tighten them down and secure everything in place and making the bag more compact. Great for storing away on a plane or just a more secure feel when wearing. The lumbar stash pocket on the back is great for important documents/wallets/etc. Great bag for under $60 that will let you get around quick and guard your hardware.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices

By Jon Bannister

Rolling backpack’s were huge when I was in school and they are now making a come back. This multi-purpose laptop back doubles as both a rolling bag and can be worn as a backpack. Designed for laptops up to 15.4” with other models as small as 10.2” – you have options. Great for people who go on flights and need to store it on planes. It’s compact and usable in many ways making it a great product for carrying your laptop and protecting it for under $60.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices

By Jon Bannister

The V7 is a very professional looking laptop bag great for people who frequently travel or commute with gear. Has all the key features you need including space for laptop up to 16” in screen size. More pockets on the front for pens, papers, and other documents with great organization pockets/slots. Weighing only 1.19lbs and coming with a life-time warranty this makes for a great simple laptop buy that looks professional.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices

By Jon Bannister

This laptop backpack is a fantastic deal! It’s available in MANY different color patterns so you can go in style. Just under $45 too you get a lifetime warranty which we found too good to be true. But it was true. High Sierra Sport Company is a great family owned company who puts a lot into their products so you know you can trust them. This bag is a reat value, durable, and has a lifetime back behind it. A truly great product if you have a laptop under 16”.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices

By Jon Bannister

Another great SwissGear product – they are known for their bags and this laptop back is just as good as any other line they produce. A basic – simple – bag that will do what it’s supposed to do: hold a laptop and some other stuff. It’s for smaller laptops (up to 15”4 screen size) – is very comfortable and compact. For it’s price of around $60 you can’t go wrong if you have a smaller laptop.

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices

By Jon Bannister

The Targus series is known for making great quality products that are both durable and comfortable. Taller people will love how this laptop bag fits with a 20.1” in length size it will fit great. The bag has 4 big pads on it so if you are lugging around heavy cargo it will be comfortable. This bag looks cool, feels cool, and is comfortable. You cant go wrong at this price of less than $65. It’s simple, cheap, and durable. What more can we say! It rocks!

Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon

Prices