The best laptops for all educational levels
BEST
LAPTOP FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
For younger
students, a touchscreen device is easier to use than a keyboard and
touchpad,
that said,
it may be worth investing in a case for keyboard if you go the tablet route.
has to type in his son's meeting codes and passwords for himself, which can be
tedious on the iPad's flat screen.
As children
get older, their best choice of laptop will vary depending on their needs. As a
parent, it is important that you and your child know how they intend to use it
and the size of the programs they want.
bought a low-budget HP laptop for his boy, but
didn't realize how quickly the nine-year-old would fill 32GB of storage. “It's
really slow and there is no room for games. I need a computer with more storage
space, ”said, who uses the laptop to zoom in with friends and take virtual
guitar lessons and math enrichment lessons.
Audio
quality is an important consideration for children's laptops. Lisa Mitchell, an
elementary library media specialist, says her students use their devices to
watch YouTube videos in addition to their online classes. Battery life is also
a plus, even for distance learners who might not be far from a wall outlet.
Bella likes to use her laptop around the house and doesn't want to bring the
lanyard with her.
Durability
is also worth paying for, according to Mitchell. If you're using a tablet, get
a protective case. "If a reasonably priced replacement insurance or policy
is available, it's usually worth it."
Amazon Fire
HD 10 Kids Editio n a colorful and fast tablet with kid-friendly content
Lenovo
Chromebook Duet a small 10 inch Chromebook with a removablekeyboard
10.2 inch
Apple iPada budget tablet that supports Apple Pencil
Microsoft
Surface Go 2 a sturdy Windows tablet with a built-in
kickstand
Google Pixelbook Go a sturdy touchscreen Chromebook
Best
Laptops 2020: Lenovo Chromebook Duet
BEST LAPTOP
FOR COLLEGE
College
students I spoke to don't use their laptops for much more than schoolwork and
web surfing. Don't worry too much about power - prioritize a machine that's
comfortable and easy to use for your child.
“We just
got the most basic Chromebook and it's totally perfect,” says Gabrielle
Hartley, a lawyer and mother of three who take both in-person and online
classes. "The most basic Chromebook meets all the needs of the basic
college student."
Hartley's
son Max, who is in eighth grade, agrees. “I would really love a gaming PC or
gaming laptop that could plug into a monitor and play video games at 120 fps,
but I really don't need it,” says Max. "Most eighth grade students won't
be using any video games on their laptops or software that requires a lot of
power."
Max mainly
uses his laptop for Google Classroom apps, including Gmail, Slides, Google
Docs, and Google Sheets. They are very easy to use on his device, which he
describes as “a regular Samsung Chromebook”. That said, if your kid is starting
middle school this year, it might be worth checking with their teachers which
operating system is most compatible with their workflow. Swedish ninth grader
Caspian Fischer Odén told me he was having trouble with his Chromebook because
his school blocked apps from downloading from the Google Play Store.
Even kids
with more demanding hobbies think a budget device can do the job. Sam Hickman,
an eighth grader from the UK who uses his laptop for photo and video editing,
says: “For most middle schoolers, any processor developed in the past two years
will be able to handle all the tasks they need. they can impose on it. "
So what is
worth paying for? A comfortable keyboard, several students told me. Many middle
school students are not used to typing for long periods of time. You should
also look for a device that is compact and easy to carry, especially if they
are preparing for school in person. Choose an 11-13 inch model - certainly no
taller than 15 inches.
HP Chromebook x360 an affordable Chromebook
with great battery life
Lenovo Flex
3 Chromebook a small but sturdy laptop designed for students
Lenovo 300e
a durable 2-in-1 with anstylus
Acer Aspire
5a portable option for kids in need a 15-inch display
Microsoft
Surface Laptop Go an attractive and lightweight Windows laptop
The 15-inch
Surface Laptop 4 seen from above.
BEST LAPTOP
FOR HIGH SCHOOL
High school
students' laptop needs may vary depending on their interests, but most don't
need powerful machines with lots of bells and whistles - especially if they
have problems or serious inconveniences that could interfere with school work.
High school student Miles Riehle owns a top-of-the-line Surface Pro 7, but
finds it overwhelming. “There are so many other things that I don't use very
often,” he says. "Something simpler could be a little easier."
The best
operating system may depend on what your child is used to. Student Aryan
Nambiar has an iMac at home and enjoys using an iPad for his homework. Riehle
says he would prefer a Chromebook because he has an Android phone and often
uses Google services.
But almost
every student I've spoken to agreed that the most important feature of a high
school laptop is portability. Children who take in-person lessons can carry
their device for much of the day with a stack of other books. Look for a 13 or
14 inch screen or a lighter 15 to 17 inch model.
Students
also recommend something solid. “Most high school kids will throw their laptops
in their bags without much care. Backpacks can also be jostled in the hallway.
Distance learners can still have problems at home. “Anything Can Happen”
Battery
life is another key feature. “It can be difficult to find a place to recharge
in the classroom,” says Second-year student Cas Heemskerk from the Netherlands.
Unlike college students, many high school kids don't have frequent breaks to
charge their devices, so try to find something that can last an entire day.
Many
students recommend a touchscreen with stylus support.The touchscreen is always
an advantage for drawing diagrams, whereas if you are using a laptop it would
be quite a process to submit a diagram you have drawn, uses a Surface Pen to
fill out school forms and annotate PDFs. useful to take notes on the same
screen as his online lessons.
Depending
on the broadband situation in your area, you may also want a laptop with
multiple connectivity options. he therefore recommends an LTE model. recommends
looking for an Ethernet port in case slower connections disrupt meetings. It's
hard to find on small laptops, but there are plenty of affordable dongles and
docking stations to consider.
Acer
Chromebook Spin 513 a convertible Chromebook with a battery that lasts all day
Apple iPad
Air a powerful tablet with a big screen
Acer
Chromebook Spin 713 a fantastic Chromebook not too expensive
Dell XPS 13
a solid clamshell Windows laptop
Surface
Laptop 4 an excellent lightweight and comfortable laptop to use
Best
laptops 2020: HP Envy x360 13
BEST LAPTOP
FOR UNIVERSITY
College
kids are right to spend a little more money than other age groups. Some
(especially in STEM classes) can expect to do a fairly demanding job. Assad
Abid, an electrical engineering student from Pakistan, has to run simulation
software for his assignments. Aakash Chandra, a student at New Horizon College
of Engineering in India, does a lot of coding, in addition to creative work in
Premiere Pro and Photoshop, and games. Students also noted that it's worth
paying for a laptop that will last a few years after graduation. This means you
won't have to worry about finding and funding your next device until you are
(hopefully) settled into a job.
But among
the high-end, high-performance devices there is still a wide range of options.
Students stressed that a college laptop should be lightweight. Expect to bring
it between classes, meals, meetings, the library, and other places on campus. “It's
a godsend that I can carry my laptop as well as some laptops without feeling
like I'm carrying too much for six hours a day,” says Haseeb Waseem, senior at
Villanova University.
Another
universally popular feature is battery life. Waseem, who uses an HP Specter,
says the all-day juice gives him "the flexibility to study in a bunch of
different places, and even outdoors."
Speakers
and webcams are often overlooked, even in high-end devices. But students say
it's worth looking for good ones if you're starting college this year. Zoom
will be a big part of university life this semester: many children will take
virtual classes, while others will continue to meet clubs, study groups and
teachers, as well as spend time with friends in line. Waseem is unhappy with
the audio and picture quality of his laptop, which he says has made it
difficult to pay attention in class and interact with other students.
Many
students will need to invest more in areas suited to their interests and
schoolwork needs. Chandra's dream laptop is said to include a stylus and
touchscreen for her creative work as well as a high-end GPU. Waseem, who uses
his laptop for a hodge-podge of activities including streaming, coding, social
media, video chatting, and working from Microsoft Office, would rather
prioritize a big screen to keep up with his multitasking. .
Acer Swift
3 a super light laptop that performs well
HP Envy
x360 13 a fast and stylish 2-in-1
Dell XPS 13
a solid clamshell Windows laptop
Surface
Laptop 4 an excellent lightweight and comfortable to use laptop
HP Specter
a convertible top-of-the-range with exceptional autonomy
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