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]]> Quick Overview
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Best for most people
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti – 12th Gen Intel 14-Core i7 CPU – 15.6” QHD 240Hz – 16GB DDR5 RAM – 1TB PCIe SSD – Windows 11 – CNC Aluminum – Chroma RGB – Thunderbolt 4
Best high-end option
Dell G15
Best budget option
$800 at Dell$1,220 at AmazonSee more optionsMore options
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
Best no-limit gaming laptop
$3,500 at ASUS$2,578 at AmazonSee more options
Alienware m18
Best big screen gaming laptop
Are gaming laptops good for school?
As we’ve mentioned, gaming laptops are especially helpful if you’re doing any demanding work. Their big promise is powerful graphics performance, which isn’t just limited to games. Video editing and 3D rendering programs can also tap into their GPUs to handle laborious tasks. While you can find decent GPUs on some productivity machines, like Dell’s XPS 15, you can sometimes find better deals on gaming laptops. My general advice for any new workhorse: Get at least 16GB of RAM and the largest solid state drive you can find (ideally 1TB or more). Those components are both typically hard to upgrade down the line, so it’s worth investing what you can up front.
The one big downside to choosing a gaming notebook is portability. For the most part, we’d recommend 15-inch models to get the best balance of size and price. Those typically weigh in around 4.5 pounds, which is significantly more than a three-pound ultraportable. Today’s gaming notebooks are still far lighter than older models, though, so at least you won’t be lugging around a 10-pound brick. If you’re looking for something lighter, there are plenty of 14-inch options these days. And if you’re not into LED lights and other gamer-centric bling, keep an eye out for more understated models (or make sure you know how to turn those lights off).
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Best for most people
Read our full review of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
The ASUS ROG Zephryus G14 may be a bit more expensive than it was when it originally launched, but it remains a fantastic 14-inch laptop for all purposes. The beauty of the latest model is that it features an all-new unibody aluminum chassis, a vibrant 120Hz OLED display, solid performance and tons of ports–all for hundreds less than an equivalent Razer Blade 14. It even has a built-in microSD card reader and presets for several color gamuts, so it can easily pull double duty as a photo/video editing machine. Its audio is also way above average thanks to punchy up-firing stereo speakers. Battery life is solid too, with the Zepyrus lasting just shy of eight hours on our rundown test. And to top it off, the G14 weighs almost half a pound less than rival laptops with similar designs. The main downsides are that its GPU caps out at an RTX 4070 (instead of a 4080 like on the previous model) and that its RAM is soldered in. But if you want a really great all-rounder that offers big power in a portable package, this system has to be at the top of your list. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Writer, Reviews
$2,000 at Best BuyWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti – 12th Gen Intel 14-Core i7 CPU – 15.6” QHD 240Hz – 16GB DDR5 RAM – 1TB PCIe SSD – Windows 11 – CNC Aluminum – Chroma RGB – Thunderbolt 4
Best high-end option
For years, Razer has built a reputation for making gaming laptops that look as good as MacBooks. And that’s still true. Razer’s Blade 15 features a sleek and sturdy metal case, an understated design (unless you really kick up those RGB keyboard lights), and just about all the power you’d want in a portable gaming powerhouse. If money is no object, you can equip the Blade 15 with Intel’s latest 13th-gen processors, NVIDIA’s powerful RTX 4070 and 1,440p OLED display running at 240 Hz.
While you’ll pay a bit more for the Blade 15 compared to some other models, you’ve still got a few different price points to work with. The entry-level model starts at $1,999 with an RTX 3070 GPU and 360Hz 1080p display. That’s certainly enough power for most games and creative apps. If you’re looking for something a bit smaller, Razer’s new AMD-powered Blade 14 looks compelling as well. Razer also recently debuted new Blade 16 and 18 models, which cost (and weigh!) much more than the Blade 15, but may be useful if you need a bigger screen.
$2,450 at AmazonWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
Dell G15
Best budget option
While Alienware has established itself as a solid premium brand, Dell’s cheaper G-series notebooks are worth a look for anyone on a budget. In particular, the G15 continues the trend of delivering very capable hardware – including Intel’s latest 13th-gen CPUs and NVIDIA’s RTX 30 and 40-series GPUs – for under $1,000. Sure, the case is mostly plastic, and the screen doesn’t offer all of the latest niceties, but for the price it’s hard to find anything more powerful.
$800 at DellExplore More Buying Options$1,220 at AmazonWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
Best no-limit gaming laptop
Taking the idea of a gaming laptop to the absolute extreme, ASUS’s latest Zephyrus Duo 16 combines AMD’s latest Ryzen mobile processors with NVIDIA’s great RTX 40-series hardware. And, true to its name, it has two screens: a gorgeous 16-inch main display (with optional Mini-LED backlighting), and a very wide 14-inch secondary panel right below. That opens up a near desktop-level of multitasking, since you can have windows spread across both screens. It could help you, say, follow an online lecture while fitting in a Halo Infinite match on your main screen. Don’t worry, we won’t tell.
$3,500 at ASUSExplore More Buying Options$2,578 at AmazonWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
Alienware m18
Best big screen gaming laptop
The biggest and most powerful Alienware laptop yet, the m18 is the ideal gaming notebook for someone who prioritizes screen size above all else. It can be equipped with Intel’s fastest 13th-gen CPUs, NVIDIA’s RTX 4090, and either a 165Hz QuadHD+ screen or a wickedly fast 480Hz 1080p+ display. It’s a gaming beast, but it’ll also be a great option for students editing audio or video. A bigger screen means a larger timeline view–exactly what you’d want for massive projects.
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]]> Quick OverviewMore options
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Logitech Signature M650 Wireless Mouse
Anker 341 USB-C Hub (7-in-1)
8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller
Echo Dot
Anker Powerline II USB C to Lightning Cable
1Password subscription
Otterbox Fast Charge power bank 15,000
Chipolo ONE
SAMSUNG PRO Plus microSD Memory Card + Adapter
Google One subscription
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
If you know a student lugging an old flatscreen to their dorm for the new semester, gifting them one of our favorite streaming devices – a Roku Streaming Stick 4K – will make them feel like they just got a brand new set.
$48 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options
If you know a student lugging an old flatscreen to their dorm for the new semester, gifting them one of our favorite streaming devices – a Roku Streaming Stick 4K – will make them feel like they just got a brand new set. All they need to do is plug it into their TV’s HDMI port, connect it to WiFi and then they’ll have access to pretty much all of the streamable content they could ask for. There are apps for Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and even more niche services like Criterion Channel, so chances are they will be able to watch whatever they want on it. And, who knows, maybe they’ll find new things to binge for free on The Roku Channel. The on-screen interface is easy to navigate, too, and we appreciate that the Roku remote that comes with the dongle can be used to control the TV itself, including power and volume. If you think they’d like enhanced voice controls, it may be worth it to spend another $20 and get them the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, which comes with the Voice Remote Pro.
Logitech Signature M650 Mouse
Logitech Signature M650 Wireless Mouse
Students might need more control over their gigantic spreadsheets and multi-slide presentations than a simple trackpad can provide. Logitech’s Signature M650 Mouse is a solid and inexpensive accessory for them that can give them extra precision on a regular basis.
Students might need more control over their gigantic spreadsheets and multi-slide presentations than a simple trackpad can provide. Logitech’s Signature M650 Mouse is a solid and inexpensive accessory for them that can give them extra precision on a regular basis. It’s a relatively compact mouse with comfortably textured side grips, a speedy scroll wheel, and Logitech claims its SilentTouch technology reduces click noise by 90 percent. It’ll connect to their computer of choice via Bluetooth or with the included receiver, and students can customize the side buttons using Logitech’s Options software. But arguably the best thing about this mouse is its battery life — it’ll last roughly two years on one AA battery, so they might be able to go a couple of semesters without even thinking about changing it.
Anker 341 7-in-1 USB-C hub
Anker
Anker 341 USB-C Hub (7-in-1)
If your student invested in a new laptop recently, chances are they are sorely lacking in the ports department. Anker’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub can make their academic lives much easier by giving them a bunch of extra ports when they need them most.
If your student invested in a new laptop recently, chances are they are sorely lacking in the ports department. Most of the best laptops available today only have a couple of USB-C ports built in, with maybe a lone USB-A connector if you’re lucky. Anker’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub can make their academic lives much easier by giving them a bunch of extra ports when they need them most. If they ever need to transfer photos from an SD card or upload portions of a project from a thumb drive, this hub will let them do so by only taking up one of their laptop’s built-in USB-C connectors. The hub itself even has an open USB-C port that supports passthrough charging up to 85W, which means they’ll never run out of battery, even in the middle of laborious tasks.
8BitDo Pro 2
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller
Academic life will quickly become overwhelming if it’s all work and no play. 8Bitdo’s Pro 2 controller can make a student’s game time more enjoyable and comfortable.
Academic life will quickly become overwhelming if it’s all work and no play. 8Bitdo’s Pro 2 controller can make a student’s game time more enjoyable and comfortable. In general, 8Bitdo’s controllers are more ergonomic than, say, relying on a keyboard and mouse when playing certain PC games. They’re also a dramatic improvement over the Switch’s Joy-Cons which, if we’re honest, aren’t the most comfortable to use for long stretches of time. The Pro 2 is compatible with the Switch, Windows, macOS, Android and Raspberry Pi, and they can map functions to buttons using its companion smartphone app. Your student will appreciate that they can charge it up with any USB-C cable they have lying around, but also that they can remove the battery pack and power it with AA batteries if they want to avoid frequent recharges.
Echo Dot
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
Echo Dot
The Echo Dot is Amazon’s most popular smart speaker for a reason: It’s small, it sounds pretty good for its size, and it does a lot more than just play music.
The Echo Dot is Amazon’s most popular smart speaker for a reason: It’s small, it sounds pretty good for its size, and it does a lot more than just play music. Students will like the fact that it won’t take up much space on their desks and that they can ask Alexa to play music from Spotify, Apple Music and other services whenever they want to have an impromptu dorm-room dance party. And, since it plugs into a wall outlet, they never have to remember to charge the Echo Dot like they would with a portable speaker. What’s more, when an assignment stumps them, students can consult Alexa for help. Are we suggesting they ask Alexa for the answers to all their homework conundrums? Not exactly, but at the very least, it’ll be fun to see how much the voice assistant actually knows about any given topic.
Anker Powerline cables
Anker
Anker Powerline II USB C to Lightning Cable
We’ve been fans of Anker’s Powerline series for a while, and this 10-foot USB-C to Lightning cable is worth investing in. Not only is it MFi-certified so it will work well with all Apple devices, but its length gives you much more flexibility than your standard three-foot cable does.
When you’re a student, there’s nothing worse than realizing your iPhone is down to 2 percent battery in the middle of a long day filled with classes, extracurriculars and study sessions. The charging cable that came with your phone has probably served you well, but having a second, longer cable can allow you to power up in dire situations even when the closest outlet is across the room. We’ve been fans of Anker’s Powerline series for a while, and this 10-foot USB-C to Lightning cable is worth investing in. Not only is it MFi-certified so it will work well with all Apple devices, but its length gives you much more flexibility than your standard three-foot cable does. It also supports fast charging if you have an appropriately specced adapter to use it with. And for those who don’t have iPhones, Anker has a 10-foot USB-C to C cable that should serve your handsets well, too.
1Password subscription
Engadget
1Password subscription
A subscription to 1Password takes all of the guesswork out of logging in to student portals, personal accounts and more. All they’ll need to do is remember one master password, and that will give them access to all of their other login information.
Students have enough trouble remembering weekly coursework, deadlines, test dates and the like when they’re at school, so giving them a way to easily access credentials for all of their online accounts will be a welcomed gift. A subscription to 1Password takes all of the guesswork out of logging in to student portals, personal accounts and more. All they’ll need to do is remember one master password, and that will give them access to all of their other login information. 1Password’s browser extensions will even automatically fill in the right usernames and passwords for the websites they’re trying to access, and when the software spots a weak password in their vault, it’ll suggest ways to make it stronger.
Otterbox Fast Charge power bank 15,000
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
Otterbox Fast Charge power bank 15,000
An accessory that a student will likely never leave home without is a power bank, and Otterbox’s 15,000mAh Fast Charge battery is one of our top picks.
An accessory that a student will likely never leave home without is a power bank, and Otterbox’s 15,000mAh Fast Charge battery is one of our top picks. It has a simple, not-too-heavy design that includes one 18W USB-C port and an equally powerful USB-A port, allowing them to power up two devices simultaneously. In our testing, its capacity allowed it to provide two additional full charges to iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets. It also didn’t lose too much charge when sitting dormant either, which means the student in your life can toss it in their backpack, forget about it, and know that when their phone’s close to death a few weeks later, they can pull it out for a top-up. Just make note that Otterbox offers 10,000mAh, 15,000mAh and 20,000mAh versions of this pack, so choose the proper capacity when you buy.
Chipolo One
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
Chipolo ONE
We all forget things now and then, but students can be prone to leaving things behind. A Chipolo One tracker can help them make sure to take their keys, wallet, bag or jacket with them by alerting them when their belongings have been left behind.
We all forget things now and then, but students can be prone to leaving things behind, especially when they’re running out the door to get to class. A Chipolo One tracker can help them make sure to take their keys, wallet, bag or jacket with them by alerting them when their belongings have been left behind. In our testing, Chipolo’s separation alerts kicked in after moving only a couple hundred feet away from the item in question, which means the student in your life won’t go far before they find out that they’re missing something. Chipolo also doesn’t discriminate between operating systems — anyone with an iPhone or an Android device can download the companion app and use the tracker to keep tabs on important stuff.
Samsung Pro Plus microSD card
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG PRO Plus microSD Memory Card + Adapter
It may not be the flashiest gift, but Samsung’s Pro Plus microSD card could be something a student uses on a regular basis.
$28 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options
It may not be the flashiest gift, but Samsung’s Pro Plus microSD card could be something a student uses on a regular basis. This card has fast enough read and write speeds to handle any challenge, be it storing high-res images on their mirrorless camera or saving extra games on their Nintendo Switch,. Samsung includes a full-sized adapter with it as well, so they can use it in devices that only take SD cards if need be. We also appreciate that it’s a durable little accessory, too, with water, temperature, magnet and drop protection to keep all of their information safe even amidst accidents.
Google One subscription (100GB)
Engadget
Google One subscription
Easy access to documents and files is crucial for any student. Many universities in the US provide students with access to some sort of cloud storage system for their work, but if your student doesn’t have that, a Google One subscription will help them.
Easy access to documents and files is crucial for any student. Many universities in the US provide students with access to some sort of cloud storage system for their work, but if your student doesn’t have that, a Google One subscription will help them. For $20 annually, they’ll get 100GB of Drive space that they can share with up to 5 other people, VPN access for multiple devices, dark web monitoring and extra Google Photo editing features like Magic Eraser. For students, the Drive storage space will be most useful, allowing them to save as many versions of a paper as they need on top of all their old presentations, resources and other assignments. And they’ll be able to access those files from anywhere, allowing them to work even when stuck in an airport on their way home for a visit or sitting on the subway on their way to class. Drive storage also applies to Gmail as well, so if they have important messages that they want to hold on to for the long haul, they can do so without worrying about freeing up more space in their inbox.
Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
While the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 comes in slightly higher than our $50 threshold, we still think it’s worth mentioning as a solid, affordable Bluetooth speaker for students.
While the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 comes in slightly higher than our $50 threshold, we still think it’s worth mentioning as a solid, affordable Bluetooth speaker for students. It pumps out solid sound at high volumes, and it’s supremely portable, measuring only 4.1 x 3.9 x 1.6 inches. It can easily attach to a bike or a backpack, and it’ll last nearly all day long with its 12-hour battery. But the kicker for students is the speaker’s ability to double as a USB-C power bank. That means they won’t have to remember to bring a totally separate power pack with them, and they’ll still be able to power up their phones while they’re out. While the Micro 2 typically costs $60, we’ve seen it on sale for closer to $50.
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]]>The post The best student discounts we found for 2023 appeared first on Best News.
]]>If there’s a silver lining, it’s having the eligibility for student discounts. Many companies offer their products and apps for less to those struggling through lectures, writing term papers and studying for finals. We’ve compiled a list of the best student discounts you can get on useful services, along with some things you’ll enjoy in your down time. Just keep in mind that most of these offers require you to prove your status as a student either by signing up with your .edu email address or providing a valid student ID.
Shopping
Amazon Prime Student
If you’re not piggybacking off of your parents’ Amazon Prime account, you can have the subscription for less while you’re in school. College students can get Prime Student for free for six months, then it costs only $7.49 per month after that. That comes out to about $90 per year, and the membership includes the same perks as regular Prime does, including free two-day shipping, free same-day delivery in select areas, and access to the entire Prime Video library.
Best Buy
While it doesn’t offer a specific student discount, Best Buy has a student deal hub page where you can find gadgets on sale. You’ll find discounts on a bunch of gear that students would need, including laptops, headphones, monitors, software and more. Best Buy also has a tool that will help students find the right computer for their needs that only requires them to answer a few questions before providing them a number of options.
Apple
Apple offers some deals to students and educators in the form of knocking down the prices of its most popular laptops and tablets. There isn’t a flat percentage rate across all products; the discounts vary by device. For example, right now students can get a MacBook Air M1 starting at $899, which is $100 less than the normal starting price, and the iPad Pros start at $749, which represents a $50 discount. These are decent savings if you must have a brand new Apple product, but those with tighter budgets should also consider Apple’s refurb program. Also for 2023, students can get up to a $150 gift card and 20 percent off AppleCare when they purchase a qualifying Mac or iPad, and they’ll get one month free of Apple Music and Apple TV+ as well.
Shop Apple’s back-to-school promos
Samsung
Much like Apple, Samsung doesn’t offer a blanket discount across all of its products for students. But you can save depending on what you’re looking to buy. For example, you can save hundreds on the latest Galaxy S23 and foldable smartphones, up to $300 on Samsung Galaxy Book laptops and an extra 15 percent off Samsung wireless earbuds,
Shop Samsung’s back-to-school promos
Microsoft
Microsoft also provides students and educators with up to and additional 10 percent off its gadgets, including most of its Surface family. And the online store doesn’t only sell Microsoft-made devices: You can also find Windows PCs from Lenovo, HP, Acer and others there at discounted prices.
Shop Microsoft’s back-to-school promos
Streaming
Spotify
Spotify Premium’s student plan gives you full, ad-free access to the music streaming service plus a subscription to the ad-supported Hulu plan for only $5 per month. This is a great discount considering you’d pay roughly $18 per month if you were to buy each service separately.
Pandora
Pandora also offers students its Premium membership for $5 per month. Pandora’s offering doesn’t include any additional services, but you do get an ad-free experience, personalized music, unlimited skips and unlimited offline play. Plus, you’ll get 60 days of free use before your payments kick in.
Apple Music
Apple also slashes 50 percent off its Apple Music subscription for students, bringing it down to $5 per month. The offer is available for up to 48 months so you can enjoy the rate for the entirety of your college experience. What’s more, the company bundles Apple TV+ in this student offer, so you can watch Apple originals like Ted Lasso and Severance.
Buy Apple Music Student membership
Paramount+
Paramount+’s student discount knocks 25 percent off the Essentials monthly plan, so you’ll end up paying around $3.75 per month for access to the service’s content with limited commercials. With this subscription, you can watch shows like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, South Park, RuPaul’s Drag Race and more, but just keep in mind that this particular plan doesn’t include access to your local CBS station.
Tidal
Tidal provides student discounts on all of its services — eligible high school and college students can get up to 50 percent off its subscription plans. Tidal is still often overshadowed by Spotify and Apple Music, but these discounts are a good way to give it a try without spending too much money.
Hulu
College students can sign up for Hulu’s ad-supported plan for only $2 per month. That’s $6 less than the normal price and a great deal considering all of the content that Hulu has to offer (think: The Handmaid’s Tale, Grey’s Anatomy, Rick & Morty and more). Yes, you have to deal with commercials, but it’s a small price to pay to binge-watch shows like Brooklyn Nine Nine, which can provide a much-needed laugh when you’re drowning in coursework.
Buy Hulu (ad-supported) for students
Headspace
Being a student is stressful even in the best of times, but now it’s even more difficult to concentrate and find peace. Headspace is just one of many meditation and mindfulness apps available that can help with that, but it stands apart with an excellent student discount: $10 for the entire year, or $60 less than a normal annual membership. In addition to a large library of meditation lessons and routines to follow, Headspace recently added SleepCasts, a collection of soothing voices reading bedtime stories to help you fall asleep, as well as “mindful” workout routines.
Tools
Adobe Creative Cloud
You’re probably using Adobe products if you’re studying anything related to digital art or design. Adobe Creative Cloud is the industry standard in this space but the entire suite of programs is quite expensive at $53 per month. Thankfully, Adobe has education pricing for students that drops the entire creative suite to $20 per month for the first year. That includes the big programs like Photoshop CC and Illustrator CC along with Lightroom CC, Premiere Pro CC, Adobe XD and more.
After your first year, the monthly cost increases to $30 per month. While not ideal, it’s still more affordable for students than it is for industry professionals. If you’re not tied to Adobe programs, you might also consider Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher apps from Serif ($70 each for the Mac or Windows versions), which compete with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, respectively.
Ableton Live
Regardless of whether you’re studying music production, students can get 40 percent off Ableton Live Standard or Suite for as long as they are enrolled full-time. That brings Live 11 Standard down to $269 and Suite down to $449 — great discounts on some of the best music software available right now.
Microsoft 365
Many students have to use Microsoft 365 tools on the regular. If your college or university doesn’t provide you with an account, you can still get Microsoft 365 for free by taking advantage of the company’s student and educator discount. This gives you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and even Microsoft Teams free of charge, which is a solid deal considering an annual subscription costs $100.
Ulysses
Spending all day and night writing papers is even more frustrating when you don’t have all your writing organized in one place. Ulysses is a popular writing app for mac/iOS that can be used for note taking as well as thesis writing, with features like auto-save and auto-backup, word-count writing goals, markup, plain text support and DropBox integration. Normally, Ulysses costs $40 per year but students can get it for only $11 every six months, or $22 per year. There isn’t a direct alternative for Windows users, but you do have options including Scrivener, IA Writer and FocusWriter.
Evernote
Evernote can be an indispensable tool if you like to keep all of your thoughts in one place — everything from class notes to web clippings to to-do lists. Students can get 40 percent off Professional, which is the way to go because it syncs your notes across unlimited devices, gives you offline access, lets you annotate PDFs and search saved documents.
Github Student Developer Pack
Aspiring developers can sign up for Github’s Student Developer Pack, which includes discounts and resources that developers can use to learn, create projects and more. Github partnered with a bunch of companies including Educative, Canva, Namecheap, Bootstrap Studio and others to offer students access to many of the services they’ll need as the expand their skills.
Get Github Student Developer Pack
Squarespace Student plan
Whether you’re itching to get a jump-start on your portfolio or just want an online space to show off your work, Squarespace is a good option as it gives students a 50 percent discount on any of its annual plans for the first year. Squarespace is one of many website builders out there, but it’s particularly popular with creative professionals. Its customizable templates make it easy to build a website and make it look exactly how you want it. Plus, you can upgrade down the line to add things like website analytics, custom JavaScript and CSS and e-commerce.
Surfshark
One of our favorite VPNs, Surfshark offers 83 percent off for students plus two months free when you sign up for a two-year plan. You can connect an unlimited number of devices to one Surfshark account, which will be good for students who want access across their phone, laptop, smart TV, and other gadgets. It also has more than 3,200 servers that you can access across 100 countries, giving you plenty of connection options.
NordVPN
NordVPN’s student discount gives you two years of the service for less than $80. Like most of the top picks in our VPN guide, NordVPN offers access to thousands of servers in a number of countries, and you can connect from almost any device you could imagine. It also has a kill-switch feature that will prevent you from making unprotected connections should the VPN accidentally drop.
Dashlane
Dashlane offers one year of its Premium plan for free to all students with a valid university email address. It’s one of our top picks in our best password managers guide thanks to its easy to use apps and its focus on secure sharing. The latter could be particularly useful for students if they have friends and roommates with which they need to share account credentials.
NordPass
Another one of our favorite password managers, NordPass offers students a two-year Premium plan for just over $40, plus an extra month for free. Its wide platform compatibility makes it a great pick if you’re always logging in from different devices. You can stay logged in on up to six devices simultaneously, and it has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera.
News
You shouldn’t rely on Twitter to be your sole source of news. With foreign wars, new viruses, Supreme Court decisions and upcoming elections making headlines daily, it’s important to get your news from reliable sources. Yes, it’s daunting to get into the news on a regular basis, but it’s crucial to know what’s going on in the country and the world as a whole. Here are some reputable news organizations that offer student discounts on their monthly or annual subscription plans.
The Atlantic: Starts at $45 per year for digital-only access.
The New York Times: $6 every four weeks for a base subscription.
The Washington Post: $1 every four weeks for digital-only access.
The Wall Street Journal: Starting at $4 every four weeks for the WSJ Digital pack.
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]]>How to clean your Mac’s screen and body
While there are a lot of products you can buy that are specially made to help you with cleaning your computer, I’ve found the simplest approach works best — and it’s the one Apple recommends. To start, all you’ll need is some water in a spray bottle and a clean microfiber cloth. You can use either regular or distilled water. The advantage of the latter is that it’s far less likely to leave any residue on your Mac, particularly on the display. You can buy distilled water at a grocery store or make it yourself with some simple cookware. Either way, it’s more affordable than dedicated cleaning solutions and more versatile. If you don’t already own any microfiber cloths, Amazon sells affordable 24-packs you can get for about $14.
Two other products I’ve found that can make the job easier are Whoosh screen cleaner and a Giottos Rocket Blower. I can’t say enough good things about the latter. It will save you from buying expensive and wasteful cans of compressed air.
As for the process of cleaning your Mac, the most important tip to remember is to start with a clean cloth (that’s part of the reason we recommend buying them in bulk). You’ll save yourself time and frustration this way. Begin by turning off your computer and unplugging it. If you went out and bought a Rocket Blower, use it now to remove any dust. If not, take a dry microfiber cloth and go over your computer. Take special care around the keys, particularly if you own a Mac with a butterfly keyboard.
Next, dampen one side of your cleaning cloth with either water or Whoosh. Never spray any liquid directly on your computer. You’ll have more control this way and you’ll avoid getting any moisture into your Mac’s internals. I always clean the display first since the last thing I want to do is create more work for myself by transferring dirt from some other part of my computer to the screen. The last step is to buff and polish your computer with the dry side of the cloth. Be gentle here as you don’t want to scratch the screen or any other part of That’s it. Your Mac should be looking clean again.
How to organize your hard drive
One of the hardest parts of cleaning your Mac’s hard drive is knowing where to start. After all, most of us have apps on our computers we don’t even remember installing in the first place. Thankfully, macOS comes with a tool to help you with that exact issue.
Navigate to System Settings > General > Storage. Here you’ll find a tool that separates your storage into broad categories like Applications, Documents, Music, Photos and so on. Double click on an item in the list, such as Applications, to see the last time you used a program, as well as how much space it’s taking up. You can delete the apps from the same window.
The section dedicated to applications is particularly helpful since you can see the last time you used a program, as well as if it’s no longer supported by the operating system or if it’s outdated thanks to a more recent release.
You don’t need me to tell you to uninstall programs you don’t use, but what you might not know is that there’s a better way to erase them than simply dragging them to the trash can. A free program called AppCleaner will help you track down any files and folders that would get left behind if you were just to delete an application.
After deleting any apps you don’t need, move to the Documents section. The name is somewhat misleading here since you’ll find more than just text files and excel spreadsheets. Documents, in this case, turns out to be the tool’s catch-all term for a variety of files, including ones that take up a large amount of space. You can also safely delete any DMGs (disc image files with the extension .dmg) for which you’ve installed the related app. The other sections in the storage space are self-explanatory. The only other thing I’ll mention is if you’ve been using an iPhone for a while, there’s a good chance you’ll have old iOS backups stored on your computer. You can safely delete those too.
By this point, your hard drive should be in pretty good shape. If you want to take some additional steps to clean it, there are dedicated apps that can help. I like one called CleanMyMac X. It goes for $40 per year, and will save you the time and trouble of doing everything I mentioned above (and then some) on your own. It also doubles as a malware removal tool.
Tips and tricks for keeping a neat Desktop and Finder
Let’s start with the menu bar. It may not technically be part of the desktop, but a tidy one can go a long way toward making everything else look less cluttered. My recommendation here is to download a $16 app called Bartender. At first glance, it’s a simple program allowing you to hide unwanted menu bar items behind a three dots icon. However, the strength of Bartender is that you get a lot of customization options. For example, you can set a trigger that will automatically move the battery status icon out from hiding when your computer isn’t connected to a power outlet.
While we’re on the subject of the menu bar, take a second to navigate to System Settings > General > Login Items and look at all the apps that launch when you boot up your system. You can speed up your system by paring down this list to only the programs you use frequently.
When it comes to the desktop itself, the best advice is less is more. Nothing will make your computer look like a cluttered mess more than a busy desktop. Folders and stacks can help, but, for most people, I suspect part of the problem is they use their desktop as a way to quickly and easily find files that are important to them.
If you’ve ever struggled to find a specific file or folder on your computer, try using your Mac’s tagging capabilities instead. Start by opening the Finder Settings menu(“command” + “,”) and click the “Tags” tab. You can use the default ones provided by macOS or make your own. Either way, drag the ones you think you’ll use most often to the favorites areas at the bottom of the preferences window. This will make it so that they’re easily accessible when you want to use them. To append a tag to a file or folder, click on it while holding the ctrl key and select the one you want from the dropdown menu. You can also tag a file while working on it within an app. Keep in mind you can apply multiple tags to a single file or folder. You can even apply them to applications.
What makes tags so useful in macOS is that they can appear in the sidebar of the Finder and are easily searchable either directly through the Finder or using Siri. As long as you have a system for organizing your files, even a simple one, you’ll find it easier to keep track of them. As one example, I like to apply an Engadget tag to any files related to my work. I’ll add an “Important” tag if it’s something that’s critical and I want to find quickly.
One tool that can help supercharge your Finder experience is Alfred. It’s effectively a more powerful version of Apple’s Spotlight feature. Among other things, you can use Alfred to find and launch apps quickly. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get a hang of it, Alfred will change how you use your Mac for the better.
How to organize your windows and tabs
If you’ve used both macOS and Windows 10, you’ll know that Apple’s operating system doesn’t come with the best window management tools. You can click and hold on the green full-screen button to tile a window to either the left or right side of your screen, but that’s about it and the feature has always felt less precise than its Windows counterpart.
My suggestion is to download an app that replicates Windows 10’s snapping feature. You have several competing options that more or less offer the same functionality. My go-to is an $5 program called Magnet. If you want a free alternative, check out Rectangle. Another option is BetterSnapTool, which offers more functionality than Magnet but doesn’t have as clean of an interface. All three apps give you far more ways to configure your windows than what you get through the built-in tool in macOS. They also come with shortcut support, which means you can quickly set up your windows and get to work.
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]]>The post How to clean and organize your PC appeared first on Best News.
]]>How to clean your computer and peripherals
Windows PCs, especially desktops, come in various shapes and sizes, but the tips we’re about to go through here will help you clean your computer whether you bought it prebuilt or put together yourself. If you own a laptop, look at our Mac organization guide. All the steps we detail there will work just as well for a Windows portable.
Before cleaning the inside of your computer, start with your display and peripherals. At this stage, all you’ll need is some distilled water in a spray bottle and a microfiber cloth. You can buy the former at a grocery store or make it yourself. And if you don’t already own any microfiber cloths, Amazon sells affordable 24-packs you can get for less than $15. Once you have those in hand, spray the water onto a clean cloth and wipe down your computer’s display before moving to the mouse and keyboard. You want to start with your screen to avoid transferring dirt and residue to the panel.
Once you’re done with those, turn off your PC and unplug everything that’s connected to it. You’ll also want to switch off the power supply unit (PSU) by flipping the toggle on its outside to the “O” position. Next, push down the power button and hold it down for about 30 seconds to discharge the capacitors. To protect your computer against static electricity, we highly recommend buying an anti-static wrist strap.
If at all possible, do most of the steps we’re about to describe outside. The last thing you want to do is go through the trouble of cleaning your computer and then let it pull in all that dust again.
Once you’ve moved your computer, start by removing the side panels. Most modern cases allow you to do this without any tools, but you’ll need at least one screwdriver for most of the work we’ll detail in a moment. When it comes to most screws inside your computer, a 4-inch Phillips screwdriver should be all you need. Some components, such as your GPU, may include Torx screws and the like, but don’t worry about those for now since we won’t be taking them apart. If you don’t already own a decent set of screwdrivers and have something of a DIY streak in you, a driver kit from iFixit is your best bet. The 16, 32 and 64-bit kits it sells are an excellent starting point, and they’ll come in handy with more than just your computer.
If your PC has any dust filters, remove those now and give them a rinse at the sink before setting them aside to dry. Depending on how long your computer has been collecting dust, you may want to remove some components such as the GPU to make it easier to clean everything.
If that’s something you feel comfortable doing and it’s your first time removing any of the internals, use your phone to take photos of the interior. The images will help you put all the parts in their original place at the end. That’s important to do since there’s an optimal way to install many of the components in your computer. For instance, you always want to install your GPU in the fastest available PCIe lane. When it comes to removing any PCI cards, first unscrew its mounting bracket and then push the corresponding release on your motherboard before pulling the card out.
Whether you decide to keep all your computer’s internals in place or not, you’ll need something to blow all that dust away. A can of compressed air is one option, but I like to use a Giottos Rocket Blower. It was designed for cleaning camera sensors and won’t damage any of your components. It’s also a one-time purchase.
Whatever you have at hand, use it to blow away the dust that’s been building up on your computer’s internal components, fans and grills. Pay special attention to the heatsinks attached to your PC’s CPU, GPU, chipset and voltage regulators. They will likely have most of the hardest to remove dust in your system thanks to their tight fin stacks. What’s more, especially bad buildup can make them ineffective at cooling those components, which will, in turn, affect their performance.
When cleaning any exposed PCB, use an antistatic brush (like this one from Amazon) instead of a microfiber cloth. You’ll avoid damaging any of the sensitive components on the board. You can go over any non-electronic part with a dampened microfiber cloth.
At this point, all you need to do is put everything back in its place. As one final tip, if there’s any way you can avoid leaving your desktop on the floor, you’ll end up spending less time cleaning it since it won’t be near all the dust and dander that collects there. If your desk setup or living space makes that not an option, a PC tower stand is a cheap but effective way to elevate your computer off the ground and help it pull in less debris.
How to organize your PC’s storage drives
If it’s been a while since you’ve done an audit of all the software you have installed on your computer, the best place to start is in the Task Manager. It’s here you can see how much of its resources your computer is devoting to specific processes. Since everyone will have different software installed on their PC, it’s hard to offer blanket recommendations, but using the Task Manager you can get a sense of the apps that may be slowing down your computer. For most people, there will be two main culprits: bloatware and antivirus software.
If you bought your PC from a system integrator like Dell, it will almost certainly include software your computer doesn’t need to operate. You can safely uninstall unused, preloaded apps to improve performance and save on space.
This next tip may be contentious for some: I believe as long as you avoid clicking on sketchy links and stay away from the dark corners of the internet, the Microsoft Defender tool built into the Windows Security app is all you need to protect your computer from the majority of malware that’s out there. While there are good antivirus programs like Bitdefender and Malwarebytes, the majority cost far too much for what they offer and will only slow down your computer. If you don’t feel comfortable uninstalling your antivirus software, then by all means, leave it on your computer.
While you’re in the task manager, you’ll also want to click on the “Startup apps” tab to see what programs your computer is launching when you power it on. You can speed up that process simply by limiting that list to as few apps as possible. As for the actual process of deleting any software you don’t need, always uninstall programs from the Control Panel as this will leave the fewest leftovers when everything is said and done. If you’ve used Windows for a while, you’ll have errant files all over the place. It’s possible to cull those manually, but doing so can be time-consuming. Thankfully, Windows’ built-in Disk Cleanup will help you wrangle those with ease.
If you have older mechanical drives installed in your computer, it’s good to get into the habit of defragging them regularly. First, launch the built-in Defragment and Optimize Drives app and click the “Optimize” button. Depending on the size of your hard drive, this process may take a while. Don’t defrag your SSDs, as you’ll only shorten their lifespan for little to no performance improvement.
How to organize your apps, tabs and other windows
Say what you will about Windows 11 (or 10), but the fact is it comes with some of the best window management tools built right into an operating system. You don’t need to download any additional software to organize your desktop, but there are some settings you can tweak to get even more out of its signature Snap functionality.
As you may already know, you can press the Windows and Tab keys at the same time to bring up the Task View pane. It’s here that you can add additional virtual desktops. If you’re not already using virtual desktops, they’re great for organizing your active windows so that you don’t have to constantly rearrange them when you’re trying to find a specific one. You can quickly press the Windows key, Ctrl and either the left or right arrow keys to move between desktops. But to make things even simpler, head to the Settings app and into the Multitasking section of the System menu. Under the “Desktops” heading, switch both settings to “On all desktops.” You can now use the Alt-Tab shortcut or taskbar to switch to any app on any desktop.
When it comes to wrangling your tabs, a lot of that will depend on the browser you use. We have a comprehensive guide to tab organization if you want to deep-dive into the tools available with the most popular options. But as a basic starting point, all the major players include a feature that allows you to pin tabs. I use this to keep the websites I visit most frequently throughout a workday (in my case, Gmail, Trello and Google Drive) open at all times and at the top of my tab bar. In that way, those tabs never get lost among the countless other websites I might have open for a story I’m writing. What’s more, in the case of Brave, the browser I use, I can use a handful of keyboard shortcuts to jump to those tabs quickly.
In closing, we want to highlight just how much customization Windows offers you when it comes to the organization of your computer. As just one example, you can right-click on items located on the taskbar and start menu to put the apps and shortcuts you use most frequently within easy reach. However, if you want to really dig into all the options Windows offers on that front, websites like Windows Central have detailed how-tos that are an excellent starting point.
Jeff Dunn contributed to this report.
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]]>The post The best Chromebook you can buy in 2024 appeared first on Best News.
]]> Quick Overview
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook (2023)
Best Chromebook overall
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)
Best premium Chromebook
Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Best Chromebook with a large screen
What is Chrome OS, and why would I use it over Windows?
This is probably the number one question about Chromebooks. There are plenty of inexpensive Windows laptops on the market, so why bother with Chrome’s operating system? Glad you asked. For me, the simple and clean nature of Chrome OS is a big selling point. Chrome OS is based on Google’s Chrome browser, which means most of the programs you can run are web based. There’s no bloatware or unwanted apps to uninstall like you often get on Windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you can completely reset to factory settings almost as quickly.
Of course, simplicity will also be a major drawback for some users. Not being able to install native software can be a dealbreaker if you’re a video editor or software developer. But there are also plenty of people who do the majority of their work in a web browser.
Google and its software partners are getting better every year at supporting more advanced features. For example, Google added video editing tools to the Google Photos app on Chromebooks – it won’t replace Adobe Premiere, but it should be handy for a lot of people. Similarly, Google and Adobe announced Photoshop on the web last year, something that should bring much of the power of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Google has also added support for Android apps on Chromebooks, which greatly expands the amount of software available. The quality varies widely, but it means you can do more with a Chromebook beyond just web-based apps. For example, you can install the Netflix app and save videos for offline watching. Other Android apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly capable as well. Between Android apps and a general improvement in web apps, Chromebooks are more than just portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do well?
Put simply, web browsing and really anything web based. Online shopping, streaming music and video and using various social media sites are among the most common daily tasks people do on Chromebooks. As you might expect, they also work well with Google services like Photos, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Keep and so on. Yes, any computer that can run Chrome can do that too, but the lightweight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and stable platform.
As I mentioned before, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so if you’re an Android user you’ll find some nice ties between the platforms. You can get most of the same apps that are on your phone on a Chromebook and keep info in sync between them. You can also use some Android phones as a security key for your Chromebook or instantly tether your laptop to use mobile data.
Google continues to tout security as a major differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s definitely a factor worth considering. Auto-updates are the first lines of defense. Chrome OS updates download quickly in the background and a fast reboot is all it takes to install the latest version. Google says that each webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its own sandbox as well, so any security threats are contained to that individual app. Finally, Chrome OS has a self-check called Verified Boot that runs every time a device starts up. Beyond all this, the simple fact that you generally can’t install traditional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer ways for bad actors to access the system.
As for when to avoid Chromebooks, the answer is simple: If you rely heavily on a specific native application for Windows or a Mac, chances are you won’t find the exact same option on a ChromeOS device. That’s most true in fields like photo and video editing, but it can also be the case in law or finance. Plenty of businesses run on Google’s G suite software, but more still have specific requirements that a Chromebook might not match. If you’re an iPhone user, you’ll also miss out on the way the iPhone easily integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the big downside is not being able to access iMessage on a Chromebook.
Finally, gaming Chromebooks are not ubiquitous, although they’re becoming a slightly more reasonable option with the rise of cloud gaming. In late 2022, Google and some hardware partners announced a push to make Chromebooks with cloud gaming in mind. From a hardware perspective, that means laptops with bigger screens that have higher refresh rates as well as optimizing those laptops to work with services like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass and Amazon Luna. You’ll obviously need an internet connection to use these services, but the good news is that playing modern games on a Chromebook isn’t impossible. You can install Android games from the Google Play Store, but that’s not what most people are thinking of when they want to game on a laptop.
There’s another potential change on the horizon, as Valve and Google are working to bring the massive Steam catalog to Chromebooks. Right now, Steam is only available as an early alpha on a handful of devices with higher specs, but it works a lot better than I expected. You’re still not going to run the most demanding games on basic laptops, but the Steam catalog is so vast that there are plenty of titles that worked on the Chromebook I tested it with. If you’re interested in giving it a shot, you can find the full list of supported Chromebooks and details on how to try Steam here.
What are the most important specs for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is lightweight and usually runs well on fairly modest hardware, so the most important thing to look for might not be processor power or storage space. But Google made it easier to get consistent specs and performance late last year when it introduced the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any device with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimum requirements, which happen to be very similar to what I’d recommend most people get if they’re looking for a laptop they can use every day.
Chromebook Plus models have at least a 12th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor, both of which should be more than enough for most people. These laptops also have a minimum of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which should do the trick unless you’re really pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus models have to have a 1080p webcam, which is nice in these days of constant video calling, and they also all have to have at least a 1080p IPS screen.
Of course, you can get higher specs or better screens if you desire, but I’ve found that basically everything included in the Chromebook Plus target specs makes for a very good experience.
Google has an Auto Update policy for Chromebooks, and while that’s not exactly a spec, it’s worth checking before you buy. Last year, Google announced that Chromebooks would get software updates and support for an impressive 10 years after their release date. This support page lists the Auto Update expiration date for virtually every Chromebook ever, but a good rule of thumb is to buy the newest machine you can to maximize your support.
How much should I spend?
Chromebooks started out notoriously cheap, with list prices often coming in under $300. But as they’ve gone more mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being essentially modern netbooks to the kind of laptop you’ll want to use all day. As such, prices have increased: At this point, you should expect to spend at least $400 if you want a solid daily driver. There are still many budget options out there that may be suitable as secondary devices, but Chromebooks that can be all-day, every-day laptops will cost more. But, notably, even the best Chromebooks usually cost less than the best Windows or “regular” laptops out there.
There are plenty of premium Chromebooks that approach or even exceed $1,000, but I don’t recommend spending that much. Generally, that’ll get you a better design with more premium materials, as well as more powerful internals and extra storage space. Of course, you also sometimes pay for the brand name. But, the specs I outlined earlier are usually enough.
See Also:
Best Laptops for College Students
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook (2023)
Best Chromebook overall
Screen size: 14 inches | Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,200 | Installed memory: 8GB | Weight: 3.52 lbs | Available ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, MicroSD card slot (SD 3.0), Headphone jack, Kensington Naon security slot | Drive capacity: 128GB | Battery life: 6 hours as tested
Lenovo has been making some of the best affordable Chromebooks you can buy for several years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i is an affordable laptop that provides just about everything you could want in a basic Chromebook. The 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen is both larger and taller than last year’s model. This means you get more vertical screen real estate, which is something I appreciate over a standard 1080p display. This Lenovo Chromebook hits the Chromebook Plus recommended specs with a 13th-generation Intel Core i3 processor plus 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. That’s a bump up from the 11th-generation processor in last year’s model, and the RAM and storage should be plenty.
Unfortunately, the battery life is fairly mediocre — I got about six hours of regular use out of it. My workflow includes a ton of Chrome tabs, plus web apps for things like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Keep and YouTube Music. I usually take a few video calls during the day, so if you’re not on camera much you might get a bit more time from the laptop. I wish it lasted longer, but I can’t knock it too much considering the Flex 5i’s price.
The backlit keyboard and trackpad are very good and feel much better than I’d expect on a fairly affordable machine. The keys have nice travel and the trackpad is large and responsive. Despite the fact that it has a 1080p webcam, I can’t say that I looked all that great in the video calls I took. It does the job, but not much more.
Other things in the Flex 5i’s favor include both USB-C and USB-A ports, a microSD card slot and a security lock. At 3.5 pounds and 0.78 inches thick, it’s definitely not the lightest or slimmest option out there. It’s a utilitarian slab of a laptop, but that’s OK. Finally, the Flex 5i will receive software and security updates until June of 2032, so you can buy this computer and have it covered for years to come.
For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the ideal Chromebook. It’ll hit the sweet spot for a lot of buyers out there, providing a level of quality and performance that’s pretty rare to find at this price point.
ProsGreat overall performance for the priceNice displaySolid keyboard and trackpadConsMediocre battery lifeA bit heavy and chunky$499 at AmazonPhoto by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)
Best premium Chromebook
Screen size: 14 inches | Screen resolution: 1,980 x 1,200 | Installed memory: 8GB | Weight: 3.02 lbs | Available ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C / Thunderbolt, HDMI, Headphone jack | Drive capacity: 256GB | Battery life: 7.5 hours as tested
Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 has long been one of the best premium Chromebook options out there, and the current model is no exception.
The Spin 714 features a 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen. Like the screen on Lenovo’s model, this works out to a taller 16:10 aspect ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most laptops. I’m a big fan of taller laptop screens, and while this isn’t as luxurious as the few 3:2 ratio Chromebooks on the market, it’s still a comfortable and high quality screen. It’s also a little bit brighter than the screen on the Lenovo (340 nits vs. 300).
One noteworthy feature is the 2K webcam included in the Spin 714. In a world where we’re all doing more video calls than we’d like, having a camera that doesn’t reduce you to a blurry spot is definitely appreciated. It’s a far better camera than the one on our top pick.
As for the rest of the hardware, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in a few ways. It features a 13th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, along with 8GB and 256GB of storage. It also has better battery life in my testing — I typically got about 7 and a half hours when using it. That’s not exceptional, but it’s in line with what I’ve seen on other i5-powered Chromebooks.
Just as the name suggests, the Spin 714 has a 360-degree hinge which lets you use the laptop in tablet mode. I’m not a fan of this convertible design – I don’t know who wants to use a 3-plus pound tablet, but it’s there if you need it.
The latest Spin 714 costs $700 – not an unreasonable price for a computer with these specs and built quality. If you’re a serious multitasker, want a better display and keyboard, or just want a computer that’ll last as long as possible, the Acer Spin 714 is easy to recommend.
ProsGreat screenVery clear webcamPlenty of power and storage spaceGood keyboard and trackpadCompact designConsA little priceyBattery life is pretty average$550 at AmazonPhoto by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Best Chromebook with a large screen
Screen size: 16 inches | Screen resolution: 2,560 x 1,600 | Installed memory: 8GB | Weight: 3.75 lbs | Available ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Headphone jack, Ethernet | Drive capacity: 256GB | Battery life: 9 hours (manufacturer estimate)
Acer introduced the Chromebook 516 GE in the fall of 2022 as part of Google’s push to make devices suitable for cloud gaming, but you don’t need to be a gamer to appreciate this laptop. For $650, you’ll get a 16-inch display with a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now gaming service supports up to 4K visuals at 120Hz on its Ultimate tier so you’ll get to see those benefits. This laptop also supports Steam, yet another reason gamers might be interested in trying it. But even non-gamers should enjoy the 516 GE’s crisp and clear screen and refined hardware.
It also includes Intel’s 12th-gen Core i7 1240P processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Given the laptop’s size, it’s good that Acer didn’t skimp on ports here: there’s an HDMI port, USB-C, USB-A, ethernet and a headphone jack. The keyboard has gamer-friendly LED lights that you can customize, but more importantly, it’s just a solid and comfortable keyboard for playing games or just typing up reports. The trackpad is large and responsive as well.
The 516 GE only weighs 3.75 pounds too – pretty light for a laptop with a 16-inch screen. Between the powerful hardware, solid design, good trackpad and keyboard and great screen, anyone who wants a bigger Chromebook will likely be happy with this model. As for support, Google says the 516 GE will continue receiving updates until June of 2032.
ProsLarge, high-resolution screen with a fast refresh ratePlenty of portsIntel i7 processor offers plenty of powerLarge and spacious keyboardRelatively lightweight for a large-screen laptopConsNot everyone will appreciate the gamer aesthetic$530 at Amazon
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]]> Quick OverviewMore options
Apple MacBook Air M3
Best Apple laptop
$1,050 at Amazon$1,099 at AppleSee more options
Dell XPS 13
Best Windows laptop
Razer Blade 15
Best laptop for gaming
$2,900 at Razer$2,300 at AmazonSee more options
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook (2023)
Best Chromebook
HP Pavilion Aero 13
Best budget laptop
$600 at HP$739 at AmazonSee more optionsMore options
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Best 2-in-1 laptop
$800 at Amazon$1,100 at Adorama$1,100 at StaplesSee more optionsSee 1 more
What to expect
Apple has completed its transition to its own Silicon, so you’ll no longer have the option of Intel-powered Macs. Nor should you want to, really, since the M-series MacBooks have proven to be reliable, speedy and long-lasting. And with each new generation of chip, older models get cheaper while still offering excellent performance. This means you’ll have more options to consider without having to stretch your budget.
Meanwhile, new PCs keep getting announced, with the latest models typically powered by 13th-gen Intel processors or the latest AMD Ryzen chips. Though the shift to ARM-based systems has been successful for Apple, the PC industry is still struggling to keep up, and Windows on ARM is basically dead in the water. Don’t waste your time or money on an ARM-based PC; they’re hard to find nowadays anyway.
Speaking of, laptops with top-of-the-line specs can cost you around $1,800 to $2,000 these days. For most college students, though, a midrange machine to use primarily for writing papers and web browsing might be enough. Depending on your field of study, you could get by with an Intel Core i3 processor or equivalent, with at least 6GB of RAM. If you need to run specialized software for design or programming, consider upgrading to a beefier system with more processing power and memory. On the other hand, if you do most of your coursework online or in a browser, getting a Chromebook could save you a lot of money.
You’ll also want to pay attention to a device’s weight, especially if you plan on lugging your laptop to classes in person. There are a lot of premium ultraportables in the 13-inch category, with chips like Intel’s Core i3 or i5, that cost around $1,000. If these light laptops are too expensive, you’ll still have respectable options in the $600 to $800 price range, but they might be heavier and use older, slower processors. I’ve included our recommendations for the best budget laptops in this college-centric guide but we also have more affordable top picks that you can check out as well.
See Also:
Best Cheap Windows Laptops for 2024
With some laptop makers deciding to get rid of headphone jacks, it’s important to check specs lists when you’re shopping for newer machines. If you don’t have wireless headphones or use equipment that plugs into the 3.5mm jack, you’ll want to steer clear of devices like Dell’s XPS 13 Plus.
Finally, while most laptops offer WiFi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or later, you may not have one of the compatible routers or other devices that would enable those faster connections yet. Chances are, your campus WiFi might still be stuck on an older setup, too, so it’s not crucial that you get a system with the latest standards yet. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to get a laptop that’s future-proof, but just know that of all the things to look out for, WiFi 6E shouldn’t be a dealbreaker in your decision-making process.
The best laptops for college students
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Apple MacBook Air M3
Best Apple laptop
Read our full review of the Apple MacBook Air M3
It’s hard to beat Apple’s MacBook Air if you want a powerful machine for college that won’t weigh you down. You have a few good options this year — the 13-inch or 15-inch MacBook Air M3 and the MacBook Air M2. The M3 laptop earned a score of 90 from us for its impressive performance, gorgeous 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display and its thin-and-light design. However, the M2 remains a fantastic machine and, with the launch of the M3 models, it received a $200 price cut. We recommend springing for an M3 Air if you want a more future-proof laptop, but the MacBook Air M2 will likely be enough for most students’s needs.
Apple has officially stopped selling the M1 MacBook Air in its online store, but it’s still floating around the internet for under $1,000. It has the wedge design of older MacBook Airs, larger bezels and only a 720p webcam. But if you’re coming from an Intel machine, the performance gains will be noticeable even if you pick up an M1 machine on clearance. However, we expect stock to become limited as the year goes on.
$1,050 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options$1,099 at AppleWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
Dell XPS 13
Best Windows laptop
The best PC has long been Dell’s well-rounded XPS 13 series and I still recommend it to anyone that doesn’t want a Mac. Yes, the latest XPS 13 lacks a headphone jack, and some of its buttons are hard to see and use. But it’s a well-rounded machine and reliable workhorse that will get you through classes and late-night writing sessions without breaking a sweat.
The XPS 13 (previously called the XPS 13 Plus) offers a solid balance of speed and attractive-yet-minimalist design. This year, it’s powered by a new Core Ultra 7 processor, which makes it an “AI PC.” Thanks to a built-in NPU (neural processing unit), it can handle a few AI tasks, like Windows Studio Effects for video chats, without taxing your CPU or battery life. But it also has everything we previously liked about the XPS 13 Plus: An edge-to-edge keyboard with lusciously large keys, along with a huge “invisible” trackpad nestled within its glass wrist rest. And of course, it features a nearly border-less “Infinity Edge” screen, which has been a mainstay of the XPS line for almost a decade.
When it first debuted, the XPS 13 Plus was a more powerful alternative to Dell’s thinner and weaker XPS 13. While we’ll miss the previous XPS (which you can still find refurbished), it makes sense for Dell to lean into its stunning new aesthetic. The 2024 XPS 13 Plus looks more refined than the vast majority of Windows ultraportables, and like the Infinity Edge display, it raises the bar for what other PC makers should emulate.
$1,399 at DellWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
Razer Blade 15
Best laptop for gaming
Read our full review of the Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop
Just because your laptop might primarily be for coursework doesn’t mean you can’t use it for fun, too. Those looking to game on their machines should prioritize responsive screens and ample ports for their favorite accessories that can best help them defeat their virtual enemies. If you’re considering a gaming-first machine that you can use for school, check out our guide to buying a gaming laptop. It covers details about different CPUs and GPUs, minimum specs and more. Our favorite gaming laptop is the Razer Blade 15, which has an Intel Core i7 processor, and an NVIDIA RTX 3070 graphics for $2,500.
At that price point, it’s the most expensive item on this list, but you also get a 15-inch quad HD screen that refreshes at 240Hz. Different configurations are available, depending on your preference, including Full HD 360Hz and 4K 144Hz versions. The Blade series is also one of the most polished gaming laptops around, and Razer consistently updates it with the latest processors, graphics and other hardware advancements. If you really want to go all-out, you could consider the new Razer Blade 16 that has NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 or 4070 GPUs.
Students and gamers looking for something cheaper and more portable should consider the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, which was our favorite model in 2021. The main reason it got bumped down a notch is because the 2022 refresh is almost $600 more expensive. It’s still a solid gaming laptop though, with an excellent display, roomy trackpad and plenty of ports in spite of its thin profile.
$2,900 at RazerExplore More Buying Options$2,300 at AmazonPhoto by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook (2023)
Best Chromebook
If you can do most of your schoolwork through web-based apps, a Chromebook is worth considering for your college laptop. Sure they don’t generally look fancy, nor have high-end specs. Our favorite Chromebook is Lenovo’s Flex 5 Chromebook, which Engadget’s resident Chrome OS aficionado Nathan Ingraham described as a tremendous value. This laptop nails the basics, with a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen, a great backlit keyboard and a 13th-gen Core i3 processor. The latest model has an upgraded 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which when paired with the Core i3 CPU, make for a speedy, capable machine. It’s also nice to see one USB-A and two USB-C ports, six hours of battery life and a 360-degree hinge that makes it easy to use the Flex 5 as a tablet. This could be the ideal laptop for Chrome OS fans, and it’ll hit the sweet spot for a lot of other buyers out there, providing a level of quality and performance that’s pretty rare to find at this price point.
$499 at AmazonWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
HP Pavilion Aero 13
Best budget laptop
Read our full review of the HP Pavilion Aero 13 laptop
If you’re looking for a sturdy student laptop under $800, your best bet is the HP Pavilion Aero 13. Yes, it’s almost two years old, but it’s still one of the best cheap laptops for college students available now. For an affordable price, you’ll get a Full HD screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio and surprisingly thin bezels, as well as a comfortable keyboard and spacious touchpad. Importantly, the Aero 13 provides relatively powerful components compared to others in this price range, with an AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor and Radeon graphics. Plus, it has a generous array of ports and enough hours of battery life to last you a full day and then some.
$600 at HPExplore More Buying Options$739 at AmazonWill Lipman Photography for Engadget
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Best 2-in-1 laptop
Read our full review of the Microsoft Surface Pro 9
For those who need their laptops to occasionally double as tablets, the Surface Pro series is a no-brainer. Compared to notebooks or 2-in-1 laptops with rotating hinges, tablets with kickstands are often much slimmer and lighter. The Surface Pro 9 is the most recent model and it features Microsoft’s sleek design with a thinner profile and minimal bezels. The Pro 9 also has a 120Hz display that makes scrolling long documents or spreadsheets feel much faster, and you can drop the refresh rate down to 60Hz if you want to conserve battery life. Just make sure you get an Intel processor rather than an ARM-based configuration, since app compatibility might be an issue on the latter. You don’t want to be the only one in class who can’t install the obscure app that your professor wants everyone to use, do you?
We also like Microsoft’s Type Covers and the Surface Pens, though it’s worth noting that they’ll have to pay extra for both if you want them. Unless you’re bent on sticking to Apple’s ecosystem, in which case an iPad Pro would suit you best, the Surface Pro 9 is arguably the best convertible laptop around.
$800 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options$1,100 at Adorama$1,100 at Staples
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