A laptop is pretty much a student essential these days. They’re a familiar sight from secondary school onwards, but once you head to college or university, having a reliable one becomes even more important, and you may find yourself responsible for choosing and paying for it, too.
The right laptop depends on what you’ll be using it for. If your course involves plenty of reading, research and essay writing, you can get away with a cheaper, lower-powered model. Most modern laptops are capable of handling everyday tasks, from web browsing and Office apps to light gaming and design software. But if you need to tackle 3D rendering, high-resolution video editing or demanding games, you’ll want a more powerful graphics processor. Just bear in mind that extra performance usually means a higher price, shorter battery life and a heavier, hotter machine.
