You received your college acceptance letter. You are elated, but a little nervous. You still have so many things to do. You have the tuition covered and a part-time job in the works, but you have not bought a laptop. With four years of college ahead of you, you know you need a reliable laptop that will take you to graduation day. Your journey to the best laptop begins. 

 

Best Minimum Specifications

You will need a laptop that is lightweight and equipped with office software to help you get your classwork done. Microsoft Office Professional Academic is cheaper than Microsoft Office Home & Student. If you are short on funds, LibreOffice and OpenOffice are free alternatives.

• Operating System
When it comes to operating systems, your choices include Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.7. Your choice will depend on what software packages you will be working with and your budget.

• Processor
The most common are Intel and AMD. Their prices vary by speed. 2.4GZ is a good start.

• Memory
3 to 6 GB is good range for memory capacity when working with multiple windows and applications.

• Storage Drive
A SSD (Solid State Drive) will survive if you drop your laptop. It has no moving parts unlike the HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which uses magnetic platters. 500GB is a good starting point.

• Size
13” to 15” is a good size range for your laptop. You want it to be able to fit comfortably on a desk and easy for you to carry.

Extras to Consider

• Warranty
• Accidental Damage Protection
• Security Software
• External hard drive
• Wireless Travel Mouse
• Headphones
• Case
• Surge protector
• USB flash drive

Top Five Picks

• MacBook Air
This lightweight laptop with all flash storage, long lasting battery, and wireless connectivity keeps you ready for action while on the go. Its starting retail price for a 13-inch is $1,299.00
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select

• HP Folio 13
It was designed for businesses and boasts a battery life of over 9 hours before charging. It would come in handy on those busy days when studying or researching for a paper. It comes with Windows 7, and its starting retail price is $899.99.
http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/folio13/index.html

• Dell XPS 13
With a starting retail price of $999.00, this laptop comes with a premium protection package and uses an Intel processor. It represents fine quality and functionality at a reasonable price.
http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-13-l321x/pd

• Dell Inspiron 14z
If your budget is limited, this laptop will accommodate it. It has a starting retail price of $499.00 and its powerful performance increases its value to your educational endeavors.
http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-n411z/pd?ST= inspiron 14z&dgc=ST&cid=245557&lid=4225494&acd=slGkDvmy2,23095618674,901pdb6671

• Lenovo Essential G570
Here is another good pick for the budget conscious. Its starting retail price is $549.00. When shopping online, you can purchase it at a reduced rate. It is a reliable and high performing laptop for the price.
http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/laptop/essential/g-series/g570/

Gearing Up for Classes

Take these tidbits of laptop knowledge and get the laptop you need. The one you select will help take you to the head of the class. This investment will reward you with each assignment you complete. Your new laptop is waiting for you.

Lorena Weaver is a career counselor and in her spare time she blogs for onlinechristiancolleges.com, a site she often recommends to those who are interested in finding out which are the 10 Best Online Christian Colleges. If you are considering enrolling in an online Christian college she suggests learning more at http://www.onlinechristiancolleges.com