Whether you are a commuter or you are living on campus, having a laptop computer can be a lifesaver. It allows you to work on projects while you are on campus or submit homework online. If you are doing a lot of research, it can also be an invaluable tool.
When I was in school, I was grateful to have a laptop that gave me not only more power to complete and submit assignments but entertain me when I had gaps between classes. If you are looking for a laptop to serve this role, here is a short list to help narrow your search.
ACER Aspire E15
If you are just purely looking for something that will be your workhorse then consider this laptop. It does not look pretty, but it gets the job done. Its spec includes an 8th Generation Intel Core i3-8130U Processor, a 15.6″ Full HD display, 6GB of Dual Channel memory, 1000 GB of Hard Disk Space, Windows 10 Home, and up to 13.5 hours of battery life. It is one of the most affordable laptops out there, coming in at $379.99 on Amazon, and is listed as Amazon’s Choice for laptops.
ASUS C302CA-DHM$ Chromebook Flip
Often times, people in the market for a laptop are also considering a tablet. With this product, you can get the best of both worlds. The ASUS Chromebook Flip has a 360-degree hinge that allows you to use it as a tablet or as a laptop. Its specs include a 12.5” full-HD touchscreen, tablet or laptop mode, 64GB of storage, 4GB of RAM, a battery life of up to 10 hours, and a weight of only 2.65 pounds.
Its lightweight and is an attractive feature for me for I remember lugging around books and my laptop across a campus that could fit four Disneyland’s inside of it. Trust me when I say that you will want something that doesn’t add too much to the weight of what you already have to carry around campus. Currently, this tablet/laptop is going for $474.99 on Amazon.
Lenovo Ideapad 15.6” Pro Build Laptop
If you are big on customization, then this laptop would be perfect for you. Once you select what kind of processor you want, it gives you options on how much RAM you want inside of it as well as options for hard drives. This will fluctuate the price from the low end of $388.98 up to $957.99. This gives you greater flexibility on specs, enabling you to select exactly what you need for your needs. Overall, it’s a solid 4-star rated laptop on Amazon and is perfect for those that are on the go constantly.
Whatever laptop you decide to go with, make sure that you get something to carry it in. I had a backpack that had a slot to slip my laptop, as well as put my books and anything else I might need to carry. Just beware of these kinds of backpacks. I sadly broke my screen because I placed my backpack too hard on the ground one day. It doesn’t take much force to break the screen, so I would recommend getting a carry bag that has more protection.
